ACADEMICALLY “Developing the scholar in you�
The Monthly eNewsletter of The Scholar Mentor
April 2020 | Issue 12 www.TheScholarMentor.com
Ending So Soon You are watching a great movie. It has the drama, the twists and turns, the emotional highs and lows, and the storyline takes you fully in. You can relate to the characters as you feel their pain and joy. You cheer them on and support them, hoping for that happy ending that leaves you feeling inspired, hopeful, or better for having seen this amazing movie. Because you are so enthralled in the storyline and the characters, you do not want it to end, and when it does, you are left wanting more. You feel the movie has ended too soon, and you cannot wait to Tweet about, tell others they must see this movie, and you start trying to figure out when you can go see it again, but with others. Your review is glowing-five stars, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes--a must-see movie. This is the kind of review academics would love to have on a published article or book.
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Ending So Soon Writing the Conclusion and the References Announcements & Updates Twitter Post Subscribe to Academically Personalized Mentoring The Scholar Mentor Bio ---------
In this issue of Academically, The Scholar Mentor talks about the Conclusion and Reference sections of a manuscript. These sections are the ending of a great piece of work. They conclude your study but can also spark others to share your work. A great study, like a great book or movie, ends too soon and makes you want to read more.
The Scholar Mentor Newsletter is designed to advise, encourage, and mentor scholars in academic writing, and successful navigation and attainment of career goals in academe.
Felicia Moore Mensah, PhD | @docmensah | #thescholarmentor | https://www.facebook.com/TheScholarMentor
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THE CONCLUSION AND THE REFERENCES This is the “conclusion” of the Academically Newsletter. Did that come out right? What about this…this is the final entry of the series of newsletters that highlights the "must-have" sections and the content that goes writing a manuscript. It is the series finale. The Scholar Mentor used two published pieces as examples to highlight each section. Fields of study are different, so apply information here to develop your manuscript in the traditions of your field. Still the academic manuscript follows a very typical format. See The Anatomy of a Research Article in The Scholar Mentor Drive. Conclusion and References Example 1 - Mensah, F. M. (2011). A case for culturally relevant teaching in science education and lessons learned for teacher education. The Journal of Negro Education, 80(3), 296-309. Example 2 - Moore, F. M. (2007). Teachers’ coping strategies for teaching science in a “low-performing” school district. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 18(5), 773-794. (Full-text of both articles on Research Gatehttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Felicia_Mensah2/publications) In this issue of the newsletter, it is the Conclusion and the References. Though they are the end of a manuscript, they are also very important. Writing the Conclusion is like giving the summary of your research study. It is the final points and thoughts you want to leave with your readers. You spent an entire article setting up the study, from the Introduction and Literature Review to the Theoretical Framework, from your Methods and Methodology to your Discussion and Implications. You presented the major findings and discussed them based upon the major questions of inquiry you had and how you went about answering those questions. Now, take the time to relate the significance of your study and the research questions as you put the bow on the package. Essentially, you have done the good work of the study, you have presented the findings, now end with concise and clear points. The Conclusion is not a long section. It is 2-4 paragraphs in length, typically. Think about the things you have presented in the manuscript and emphasize the major points that you want to make. This is your last chance to leave an impression on the readers or audience that reads your work.
A great study is like a great movie!
Felicia Moore Mensah, PhD | @docmensah | #thescholarmentor | https://www.facebook.com/TheScholarMentor
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For the two examples used throughout the series, each manuscript outlined the research questions and purpose for engaging in the study. When ending each one, the main points are emphasized. In the first manuscript, I emphasize teacher education and the importance of preparing preservice teachers to teach in culturally relevant ways that support student learning. However, in order to do so, they must learn in this way. They cannot teach what they do not know to do. They have to experience and teach it for themselves. In the second manuscript, I focus on teacher professional development. When teaching in challenging times, teachers need professional development, designed using multiple approaches such as multicultural, feminist, and critical perspectives, to support their teaching. Finally, the References for each manuscript are listed. Only those that are cited in the body of the paper are listed alphabetically at the end of the manuscript. The References are important and provide a lot of information for readers where they can also learn from the works that you cited. If you have a copy of The Anatomy of a Research Article, a manuscript may also contain an Appendix, which is also added at the end of a manuscript. It is not necessary but use it to provide readers additional understanding of the study. Following your References, and starting on a new page, the Appendix is used to supplement the manuscript and could contain your interview protocol, addition of research instruments, like surveys, used in the study, or tables, figures/diagrams. Another ending section is Supplementary Materials. This section is part of an accepted manuscript for publication that is housed online of the journal. For example, in one of my publications, Girls and science: A review of four themes in the science education literature, [Brotman, J.S., & Moore, F.M. (2008). Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(9), 971-1002], we created summary tables of the four themes of our literature review. The tables were too much to include in the printed publication, so they are online of the journal as Supplementary Materials. The tables are accessible to those wanting to see a fuller picture of how we conducted our literature review. From beginning to ending‌the process of writing a manuscript that eventually gets accepted for publication is a process. The Conclusion lets us know why you conducted the study and what you want us to know in the end. There can be sequels as you continue your work, thus do not feel everything has to go into this one manuscript. If the work is compelling, with twists and turns, do not keep your audience waiting too long for your next great article! Testimonial
"As an international doctoral student, [The Scholar Mentor] helped me navigate academia in the U.S., guided me to improve my academic writing skills, which led to a successful paper publication in high impact journal." KR, Professor of Physics Education
Felicia Moore Mensah, PhD | @docmensah | #thescholarmentor | https://www.facebook.com/TheScholarMentor
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www.TheScholarMentor.com www.TheScholarMentor.com Current Bio Current Bio Felicia Moore Mensah, Ph.D. I have an exceptional and very successful record in advising doctoral students and developing early career Felicia Moore Mensah, Ph.D.and serving as a mentor and coach to my students and many others I adopt along scholars. I enjoy teaching I have exceptional and veryI successful record in advising students developing early career scholars. theiranacademic trajectory. also work with junior faculty,doctoral assisting them inand obtaining tenure and promotion I enjoy teaching and serving practice. as a mentor and to myinstudents and many others I adopt along their academic and improving classroom From mycoach 15+ years the academy, I have personal stories and insights to trajectory. I also work with junior faculty, assisting them in obtaining tenure and promotion and improving make your journey less frustrating and more pleasurable. I have published extensively in top-tier academic classroom my book 15+ years in theand academy, I have personalmaterials, stories and insights to make your journey researchpractice. journals,From written chapters, developed curriculum teacher resources, and other lessscholarly frustrating and more pleasurable. I have published extensively in top-tier academic research journals, written products. As a researcher, my work addresses issues of diversity and equity in science teacher book chapters, andandeveloped teacher resources, and other products. education, with emphasis curriculum on culturallymaterials, relevant teaching, multiculturalism, and scholarly critical theories. As As a a researcher, work addresses issues of diversity and equity in scienceneeds teacher with anand emphasis workshopmy provider, I can design a program that meets your particular foreducation, student, teacher, faculty on culturally relevantLet teaching, multiculturalism, development. me develop the scholar inand you!critical theories. As a workshop provider, I can design a program that meets your particular needs for student, teacher, and faculty development. Let me develop the scholar in you!
Felicia Moore Mensah, PhD | @docmensah | #thescholarmentor | https://www.facebook.com/TheScholarMentor
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