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How to Submit Peer-Reviewed Research Articles to the NBA Journal — Matthew Talbert
BY MATTHEW TALBERT
The difference between a peer- reviewed research article and the articles traditionally published in the NBA Journal is best described as a difference in the vetting process and source material. To have an article appear as “peer-reviewed” in the NBA Journal means recognized researchers and scholars in the field of music/music education will read, evaluate, and then recommend whether or not an article should be published, revised or rejected. This process is widely recognized as an indicator of quality scholarship in a particular discipline or field. Other names for these types of articles are “scholarly” or “refereed.”
A traditional NBA Journal article is most often written from the perspective of the author’s unique experiences in life, music, and/or the profession. These articles are of extraordinary value, as they often present a number of ideas that have been effective for the author and may also be effective for the reader. A research article is most often written as a continuation of ideas presented in previous articles, with the motivation drawn from combining the findings of those previous articles and the author’s own experiences, experiments, or observations. In building the article in this way, the validity of the information is heightened beyond the traditional article. These articles are also of extraordinary value as they may also impact the way the reader approaches the subject material in a potentially more generalizable way. When incorporating the peer-review process, the an author’s article now has a final layer of review (for accuracy) utilizing other experts within the same subject matter.
THE TRADITIONAL RESEARCH LAYOUT AND VALUE OF THE RESEARCH ARTICLE
Dr. Russell Gavin, former chair of NBA’s Research (and Editorial) committees, shares his thoughts on the layout and value of these types of articles: research articles may read like other articles found in the NBA Journal, with the author outlining their thoughts on a subject while using citations to support the premise of the issue being discussed. Other research articles will take on a bit more of a scientific approach. These articles begin with a review of literature summarizing the research on the topic that already exists, while simultaneously presenting the reader with the rationale driving the current article. A method section follows, describing
Matthew Talbert is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Ohio University. Joining the faculty in the fall of 2016, his responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, with additional teaching responsibilities in the Patton College of Education.
Talbert earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of South Carolina (2012), a Master of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University (2005), and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University (2004).
How to Submit Peer-Reviewed Research to the NBA Journal, Matthew Talbert, cont.
what actually happened in the research, then a results and analysis section(s) describing what the researcher found, if anything. The article closes with a discussion of the findings and how they may relate to the world. The article concludes with a list of references from which the author drew information and ideas.
If you are inexperienced at reading research articles, you may want to read the discussion section first. This part of the article will explain how the information found in the rest of the article may impact you and others in the article subject community. Oftentimes this is the place where practical ideas will be most clearly expressed; however, taking in the entire article will always give a much clearer view of what the author was attempting to express.
As mentioned above, an ideal research article is adding to the research that came before it. This continuation and growth of knowledge is one of the defining characteristics of this kind of inquiry. At the end of the article, the reader is left with information that is not only new to them, but simultaneously new to the world. This level of investigation is of paramount importance in all areas of music and education, and the NBA is proud to present this new avenue for such exploration and thought.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF PEERREVIEW RESEARCH ARTICLES
A. Submission Method: Manuscripts should be submitted as Microsoft Word attachments via email to the Editorial Committee Chair: Matthew Talbert at talbertm@ ohio.edu.
B. Length:The manuscript should not exceed 25 pages and should include an abstract of 100-150 words in length on a separate page. We encourage the submission of short form articles (4-10 pages) as well as full-length articles.
C. Cover Page:To ensure anonymity in the review process, the manuscript should contain no clues as to the author’s institutional affiliation or identity. Author’s name(s), address, institution affiliations, and pertinent information should be listed on a separate cover page at the beginning of the submission. The cover page should also include up to five keywords/phrases that describe the contents of the manuscript. D. Style Guide: Manuscripts should conform to one of the following style manuals:
(1) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition, 2019),
(2) The Chicago Manual of Style(17th edition, 2017), or
(3) A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (K. L. Turabian, 9th edition, revised by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff, 2018). Note: Authors may not combine and/or mix styles within a single manuscript
E. Tables and Figures: Tables and figures may be included with the manuscript, however, these must be publishable in black and white. It is the author’s responsibility to make sure any tables/figures are checked for accuracy before submission. Additionally, if any copyrighted materials are submitted, it is the author’s responsibility to provide documentation allowing the reproduction of these materials.
F. Ethical Requirements: It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that no copyright issues
How to Submit Peer-Reviewed Research to the NBA Journal, Matthew
have been violated by the submission, including images, charts, etc. Manuscripts already published in other journals can be submitted for consideration in the NBA Journal providing the author has permission to do so.
Questions about submitting a peer- reviewed article? Email Research Chair Matthew Talbert at talbertm@ohio.edu
NBA WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
We welcome and encourage members to submit articles for inclusion in future editions of the NBA Journal. Peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles are accepted. Please note the following deadlines for submission:
JOURNAL EDITION DEADLINE
Winter Edition (February) Spring Edition (May) Summer Edition (August) Fall Edition (November) January 1 April 1 July 1 October 1 Please submit your article in Word document format to NBA Journal Editor Matthew Talbert at talbertm@ohio.edu. For guidance on how to submit a peer-reviewed article, please see page 87. Articles are published at the discretion of the editor and may appear in a later journal edition.
