HIGH POINT, N.C., May 21, 2015 – For graduate students who want to publish research in a major academic journal, High Point University’s Dr. Mark Teaford is a great resource for advice. As editor of the Journal of Human Evolution and author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, he is not only an expert in his field, but he is dedicated to helping students publish their work.
Teaford, a professor of physical therapy at HPU, recently shared his advice on publishing scientific research during presentations at the annual meetings of the Paleoanthropology Society in San Francisco and the American Association of Physical Anthropologists in St. Louis.
His recommendation to graduate students is to focus on creating the strongest article possible through the process of submitting and revising manuscripts for publication.
“Once research is published, it’s available for an eternity – a reflection of your efforts,” Teaford says. “Students should seek advice throughout the process and incorporate reviewers’ suggestions in their revisions. There’s no easy recipe for publishing, but certain traits like perseverance, patience and meticulousness are absolutely crucial.”
Teaford says students at HPU – both graduates and undergraduates – have many opportunities to do research and present their results at meetings, but it is important for faculty members to take an active role in helping their students publish their work. This is especially important for students who are interested in competitive graduate programs and fellowships.
“In order for HPU students to have the best chance at admission to the top graduate and professional programs in the country, they need to set themselves apart,” he says. “Publishing research in an academic journal can enhance a student’s academic credentials and show that they have the drive, skill and interest to pursue projects from start to finish. These are all qualities it takes to be a successful researcher.”