Workshop: Writing powerful articles for publication, A workshop for evaluators wanting to publish in the EJA

Date and time: Tuesday 4 April 2023, 10.00am to 1.00pm AEST (registration from 9.45am) . (Half day workshop - 1 sessions)

Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the workshop start time

Facilitators: John Guenther, Jeff Adams, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante and Anthea Rutter

Register online by: 1 April 2023, unless booked out prior, limited to 25 participants.

Fees (GST inclusive): Complimentary for AES members and affiliates 

Workshop Overview

This workshop is focused on building skills of evaluators so they can successfully publish in the EJA. It will focus on what makes a ‘good’ article and help participants develop writing habits that result in positive reviews, value and interest for readers, and that are readily citable by academics. It will encourage evaluators to write clearly and powerfully to present and critically reflect on evidence; to build the evidence and knowledge base in different fields of evaluation; to develop theory in any field of study; to generate evaluation theory; and to argue the case for improved policy and practice.

Workshop Content

• Why publish?
• What can be published in the EJA?
• How to structure an academic article.
• From evaluation report to academic article: what’s the difference?
• Writing titles that entice a reader into your article.
• What and how to reference for effect: using literature powerfully.
• How to present qualitative and quantitative findings.
• Writing a strong methodology.
• What about ethics?
• Describing author positionality.
• Writing for ‘impact’: topics that will engage more readers.
• The two most important elements of an article: the abstract and the conclusion.
• Using social media to disseminate your work.

Workshop Objectives

At the end of the workshop participants will have learned practical techniques for writing a strong academic journal article.

PL competencies

Writing for journal publication can reflect on, apply and critique aspects related to all the domains listed below. Articles in the EJA have covered a variety of topics relevant to professional learning and evaluator competencies.

This workshop aligns with competencies in the AES Evaluator’s Professional Learning Competency Framework.  The identified domains are:

• Domain 1 – Evaluative attitude and professional practice
• Domain 2 – Evaluation theory
• Domain 3 – Culture, stakeholders and context
• Domain 4 – Research methods and systematic inquiry
• Domain 5 – Project management
• Domain 6 – Interpersonal skills
• Domain 7 – Evaluation Activities

Who should attend?

Participants should have an interest in disseminating the findings of their evaluation work, or who are interested in to peer reviewed literature on theory, methodologies, philosophy, and outcomes, or who are keen to improve their writing skills and style. This workshop will be suitable for anyone wishing to improve their writing skills (not just for academic purposes). Ideally, participants should come with ideas for what they want to publish on or from. The workshop will be interactive, with opportunities for questions and comments throughout the session.

Workshop start times

• VIC, QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS: 10.00am
• SA, NT: 9.30am
• WA: 8.00am
• New Zealand: 12.00pm
• For other time zones please go to https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

About the facilitator

The facilitators are all part of the EJA editorial team. Between them, they have written, read, or reviewed thousands of academic articles.

John Guenther

Jeff Adams

Kwadwo Adusei-Asante

Anthea Rutter