Inquiry's first goal is to publicize undergraduate research at UNH. Its second, and equally important, goal is to offer UNH students the opportunity to participate in the editorial process of preparing a manuscript for publication. This process is a collaboration between student authors and editors, rather different from writing for a grade in a course. The process is a learning experience for everyone involved. It begins early fall semester and continues through March of spring semester.
The authors of Inquiry articles often begin with a report or essay describing their research experiences and results in a specific academic discipline, such as microbiology or studio art. Their audience is mentors, teachers, classmates, and colleagues, all of whom are familiar with the terms and concepts of the discipline. The published Inquiry article, however, must speak to a much wider audience: to members of other disciplines and to the general public worldwide.
Inquiry student and staff editors are members of that wider audience, who can tell an author when a concept, process, or term is or is not clear. They can also challenge the author to make his/her research interesting and relevant to them. Student editors receive training in how to guide an author through the editorial process, but much of the training is “on the job.”
Initial decisions for revision, based on feedback from the staff editors, are made by the author with help from a designated Connors Writing Center writing assistant. (See WRITING FOR INQUIRY) Then authors are teamed with a student editor, and these teams work together through the revision process. Staff editors offer guidance and try to ensure that both authors and editors are learning how to better communicate and express themselves.
Although editors play a large role in the development of an article, authors and their mentors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the final content. Both must sign a PUBLICATION AGREEMENT before the issue goes online.
Schedule
September: Staff editors gather submissions and offer suggestions for initial revision.
October: Authors work with Connors Writing Center writing assistants on first stage of revising.
Early November: Revised submissions are accepted, and authors begin work with an Inquiry editor.
November–February: Author/editor teams revise over several drafts, handing in a final draft mid-February.
February–March: Staff editors proofread final drafts and prepare them for publication on the Web.
Mid-April: Inquiry Web site goes live.
