I am trying to write an academic paper.
I have been trying to write an academic paper for two years.
What's stopping me? (In truth, I am writing at the moment and aim to have it submitted by Christmas.) But what has been stopping me is not the writing, which I like, but the hoops I see me having to fall through to be published in a refereed journal.
I read this in the TES at the weekend:
"... most educational research is not written up in a way that is designed to meet teachers' needs. (...) the teacher doesn't want something generalisable. They want something for their context and their pupils." ( TES 11 November 2016, 'TES talks to Philippa Cordingley')
The interview talks about making research 'particularisable' and suggests ways we might do this when using research in CPD sessions (start with the outcomes, then tell the story of the findings and finish with the methods). Philippa Cordingley talks sense. My problem is that in order for my article to be accepted I have to not only write the other way around (method, story, findings) but generalise my language and formalise my style. But I am writing about a small case study that, I am told, is strong on detail and presents a carefully analysed case.
"Your academic writing style is probably perceived to be too informal, writing in the first person can be mis-construed as being subjective."
Hmmm, subjective. Surely in order for any of us to hear and act on anything, it has to be subjectified? I need to hear a voice. If I hear the voice I can reach a decision about what this might mean to me.
For me, a major problem with many research papers I read is that they try too hard to speak generally, and in this I am unable to see my particular; and try too hard to speak 'objectively' (whatever this means), and in this I am unable to hear a voice that might speak to me.
I'll have another go, I guess.
And I wish Philippa Cordingly would contact BERA (many other research organisations are of course available)
