This week saw the end of Academic Writing Month (AcWriMo) and the start of December. As we celebrate the end of a momentum-filled month of writing for many, we look forward to what the final month of the year has in store. Our posts this week reflect this same end of an era, beginning of a new chapter mentality.

We begin with posts on getting over imposter syndrome, changes in member rules at COPE, and the end of the hundred dollar textbook. We then explore fresh perspectives on research topics, research and survey questions, grant review processes, and editing. Finally, we share some forward thinking ways of marketing books, researching, organizing content, and presenting textbook material to a new generation of students.

Whether you are finishing a major AcWriMo project or celebrating even the smallest movement in the right direction with your writing, consider the words of Diego Ramos, “I recommend writing standing up from time to time. It’s easier to dance when you finish writing.” and dance a little.

How a dean got over imposter syndrome – and thinks you can, too

Over time, by practicing 10 strategies, Ms. Ashby learned to overcome her impostor syndrome. She now gives talks at colleges to help students and professors identify and resist the strong tendency to discount their own skills and talent.

COPE introduces less specific member rules along with a new policy on expulsions

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) was founded in 1997 to provide guidance and education around the growing number of ethics issues facing journals. Last week COPE announced changes to it’s Code of Conduct as well as a new policy on sanctions against member journal editors and publishers that do not follow their “principles.”

The end of the hundred dollar textbook

All things in education take time. But this is one instance where a more affordable, more practical, more useful option seems to be gaining some ground.

Refining your research topic – starting the PhD

The research topic you have at the start of your PhD may come from work you did in your Masters. It may come from a professional or policy context, perhaps your own professional work situation, or something you’ve read about in the media. Or it might come from the scholarly reading that you’ve done.

Will your interview and survey questions answer your research question?

One issue that graduate faculty frequently see is a kind of disconnect between the questions students write for their research instruments and the primary research questions themselves. In other words, the questions don’t “get at” the information the student seeks.

Granting researchers success

Many grant proposals are submitted without any kind of internal review. A new study suggests a major return on investment for institutions that help their researchers write better grants.

The editor is not your enemy

Rob Weir, who has written eight books and countless articles and reviews, offers some thoughts for new writers.

5 things I’m not doing to launch my book – plus what I’m doing instead

The gist of all marketing advice for authors essentially boils down to: try everything and see what works. One author’s experience with five common book marketing tactics.

A major new service is in the works at Choice. Here’s a teaser.

With the rebuilding of Choice Reviews in 2016 and the launch of ccAdvisor this past fall, Choice has taken two major steps toward extending its reach in academic libraries. Both of these databases leverage our core skills as a publishing unit—the discovery, evaluation, and recommendation of resources—but the rationale for each database is slightly different, reflecting important changes in both academic publishing and libraries.

Post-it PhD!

I didn’t want to waste time rewriting everything and so the idea to use post-it notes came to mind. This is not a new concept, but in the haze of my final year of my PhD I don’t always think clearly.

Indiana State professor’s textbook selected artificial intelligence technology

Imagine opening up a smartphone, tablet or computer and having at your hands textbook content with detailed explanations, real-world examples of its application, and questions to check understanding. Imagine the quality of your answers causing adjustments to how much (or how little) more you see of that content.

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