Behind the Screen: the Making of Inquiry ‘06
We were all pleased with the response to our first issue, Inquiry ‘05, which went online last spring. Its appearance was a victory for all involved: students, faculty, staff and the web technicians. This year things went a bit more smoothly since we had gained some experience and a little confidence.
Jennifer Lee, consulting with members of the student editorial board on Inquiry ‘06Again, the Student Editorial Board was key and took on more responsibilities. One had graduated but the rest agreed to stay on for another year. We added two new members and appointed two second-year members as managing editors with a small stipend. In the fall we hired a second part-time senior editor, Brigid Carroll, a UNH graduate.
This additional personnel was needed as the number of students submitting manuscripts increased. Additionally, we came to realize fully what our commitment to a wider audience meant. Many research journals publish articles which are essentially the original reports, written for a specialized audience. Inquiry authors must completely rethink, reorganize, revise and condense their reports for a general, “non-captive” audience. They must speak to you and me—and make us not only understand but be interested in what may be a very technical subject.
Some authors take this opportunity to develop a particular aspect of their research experience they want the general public to know about. For others it is a chance to speak personally rather than in required formats. All, however, must refine and sharpen their material to focus on the essential ideas they want to communicate. Acquiring these skills of clear thinking and accurate communication is very valuable for the student authors and requires many revisions. The time and work involved for us all is worth it, however.
Almost all Inquiry articles are much shorter and do not include the complete supporting information and documentation of the original essays. Therefore, in this issue we have added a Contact the Author link at the end of each article. If you would like more information or to discuss a subject brought up in the article, this link tells you how to get in touch with the author.
Please feel free to do that, and join the authors in their explorations of new worlds of information and experience.
Jennifer Lee, Senior Editor
