Preparation Exploration Negotiation Implementation
Researcher: I need a peer-reviewed publication, preferably in a top-tier journal, because this is the currency for my promotion and tenure processes. Without journal publications, the research work is just waste of time. In order to ensure that my work holds water, I need to be very detailed about the research design methodology and the analytical techniques I used, along with a detailed rationale. Also, please don’t ask me to dumb down my writing. I am technically precise.
Practitioner: I need a good enough report now, to meet reporting benchmarks for the project, and perhaps even a research or policy brief that distills important information into something a busy decision maker can quickly read and understand. I am not usually interested in knowing the ins and outs of how you did the data collection and analysis. Just get to the point and tell me what I need to know. Why is this report so technical and difficult for the community and decision-makers to understand? Why was I not included as author in the publication about the project? It is going to take HOW LONG to get this article published in a journal?
Convergence: Discuss publication expectations and a communication strategy as soon as possible to avoid conflict down the line. Clearly articulate format and audience of report, and both sides should fully expect a process of iteration to ensure reporting meets standards. Consider dividing the different outputs into two categories, with practitioner staff more involved in the shorter pieces and the academics more involved in the journal articles and longer reports.
Questions Researchers Can Ask:
What outputs are required by this collaboration to meet your required deliverables?
What opportunities exist for analysis and publication outside of the required deliverables? Does the award allow for and support peer-reviewed publications?
What is your comfort level with publication of findings, even if they aren’t flattering to the organization or project?
Who is involved in the internal review process; and what would it entail?
What is the appropriate way to respond to feedback during information product review that we might not agree with from a scientific standpoint?
Questions Practitioners Can Ask:
What outputs are required by this collaboration to support your academic advancement?
What are your long term goals for the collaboration in terms of peer-reviewed publications?
How can we contribute to ensure co-authorship of the publications you intend to produce?
How can we contribute feedback during the publication process, even if we are not co-authors?
What products can we produce to complement your peer-reviewed publication that might be more approachable to our partners, peers, donors, and key stakeholders?
Questions Both Can Ask:
What are your expectations around intellectual property, including copyright?
What are your thresholds in terms of contribution that will
What is the process for mitigating reputational risk that might arise during the publication process?