Academic publishing support curriculum: content outline and perceptions of program acceptance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to take a closer look at the current road block that graduate students have when looking to publish their completed research. By obtaining thoughts and opinions from key members of the University of Wisconsin-Stout academic community, this research looked to uncover the basis of a curriculum offering that would assist graduate students publish. The research also looked into uncovering thoughts and opinions of graduate faculty and students towards the proposed curriculum solution along with their direct input into the construction of the outline. By distributing surveys in the spring of 2003 to the graduate faculty and students the researcher was able to uncover that both groups saw promise in an offering such as the Publishing Support Curriculum. Both groups of respondents thought an electronic/traditional instruction combination would work best for this type of offering and student interest would only decrease if they were charged additional fees that they are required to pay. Besides graduate students being direct beneficiaries of this type of offering, respondents believed there to be other indirect benefits at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Due in part to the understanding brought about by the research, an outline of the proposed curriculum offering has been generated. Information pertaining to funding of the curriculum development and perpetuation is debated, the far reaching effects of this project along with curriculum development suggestions and recommendations for further research are also discussed. Keywords: Acedemic publishing, curriculum, University of Wisconsin-Stout, graduate students