Introduction

This document describes how contributors to Action Research E-Reports should structure and present their papers. By adhering to these guidelines authors will help us achieve a high quality resource at minimal cost. This will assist us in continuing to make this journal freely available on the Web.

Action research is a tool to change society and generate knowledge, which at its best is emancipating and empowering. The documents in the Action Research E-Reports are original contributions brought together with the purpose of supporting and informing students, researchers and change agents who use action research and related forms of action inquiry. 

We invite the submission of  reports from a wide array of disciplines, such as Nursing, Medicine, Allied health, Sociology and Business, to name only a few.   We expect that each report has a relevant focus on Action research and contributes to the wider body of knowledge provided for in this journal. We are especially interested in receiving articles which will be useful to students and practitioners of action research and related forms of action inquiry.  

So that authors may concentrate on content rather than the form we use a simple HTML format. The styles defining the format and layout of elements of papers conform to HTML standard.

Writing Guidelines

Subject Matter

Please be sure that your paper addresses the broad theme of Action Research E-Reports. We are looking for papers that will be useful to practitioners or students of action research, action learning or other forms of action inquiry.

Paper Length

The usual maximum length is 3,500 words. This does not include references. Longer papers may be accepted, but please discuss with an editor first.

Quotations

In-text quotations (less than around 30 words) should be inside quotation marks with the author’s name, year published and relevant page number(s) in brackets.

It has been said that ‘it is necessary to strive for an explanatory and predictive theory of performance in distance education courses’ (Chacón 1995: 399).

Quotations of more than about 30 words should be in HTML Blockquote style with the source in brackets at the end, without quotation marks. 

Heading

Most modern word processors allow you to convert a document into HTML, however most (including Word) do this by marking up formatted text, rather than using HTML styles. If you understand what this means, please use HTML styles, rather than formatted text.

If you are not able to supply your paper in HTML format, we prefer plain text or Rich Text Format (RTF). Microsoft Word (any version to Word 2000) is acceptable.

Using the Template

You may download this document and use it as a template for your article.

The title of your paper should be in Heading 1 style, left justified in Title Case (initial capitals).

Then, in Normal style, insert the Ó symbol, the author(s) names in Italics, and the year of publication.

Then, in Normal style, the example citation.

In the body of the paper the text style will be Normal. Use Heading 2 style for headings and Heading 3 style for sub-headings (if any). Headings and sub-headings should be in title case. Please use no more than three heading sizes (including the Heading 1 for the Title only).

Tables

Tables should be placed where they are to appear in the text. If you can create HTML tables, please do so. Set border width and cell padding no larger than 2. Set table and cell width to automatic. If you do not know how to set HTML tables, use word processor tables with simple borders. Tables created with tabs and line spacing will result in errors in alignment.

Each table should have a numbered caption placed above the table, using Address style

Diagrams

Do not construct diagrams from formatted text using tabs. Where appropriate diagrams may be constructed in tables. Otherwise, diagrams or illustrations should be in .gif or .jpg format. Place diagrams where they are to appear in the text.

Numbered captions should appear above each illustration, formatted with the style ‘Address’ and numbered.

All files associated with the article should be in a single directory (if mailed on disk). Image files should be named: author01.gif, author02.jpg and so on, numbered in the order in which they appear in the article.

References

Each citation in the text should take the form of author’s name, then the date in brackets. Where there are three or more authors, the abbreviation 'et al' may be used in the text but not in the reference list. List references in alphabetical order of last name at the end of the paper, without starting a new page. If you use Endnote, please select the output style called Qualitative Sociology. Use normal paragraph style in HTML.

Council on the Cost of Government (1998). NSW Government Programs for Aboriginal People: Service Efforts and Accomplishments. Sydney: Council on the Cost of Government.

Djerrkura, G. (1997). The Meaning of Reconciliation. Walking Together, 18.

Kavanagh, M. (1990). Minyma Tjuta Tjunguringkula Kunpuringanyi: Women Growing Strong Together. Alice Springs: Pitjanjatjara Council.

NSW Mental Health Expert Party (1995). NSW Mental Health Goals and Targets and Strategies for Health Gain. Sydney: NSW Health Department.

Watson, H., & Chambers, D. W. (1989). Singing the Land, Signing the Land. Geelong: Deakin University.

Goolagong, P., Hughes, I., Khavarpour, F., & Russell, C. (1994). Koori Action Research in Community Health. Action Research E-Reports, 1. Available at: http://www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/arow/arer/001.htm

Appendices

We do not accept appendices.

Lodging Your Copy

Please submit your paper as an e-mail attachment or on a 3.5" disk (formatted for PC not Mac). The file name of the main body of the text should be the author's name followed by the version (a, b, c…), all in lower case, followed by the appropriate file extension (eg hughes-b.rtf).

Figures and illustrations should be in the format: author01.gif, author02.jpg and so on numbered in the order that they appear in the document. Images should be forwarded as separate files, even if they are also embedded in the article.

Clearly label the disk or attachment with the author's name.

Or mail your disk to:

Dr Ian Hughes
School of Behavioural & Community Health
The University of Sydney
PO Box 170
Lidcombe NSW 1825
AUSTRALIA

Action Research e-Reports aims to publish up to date original articles which will be useful to action research and action inquiry community. The editors would like to hear from people who would be interested in using this publication medium. Ian Hughes is available to discuss the journal with interested people by email.

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This page was last modified February 17, 2006