Editorial and Revision Process

Preparing an Inquiry article for publication is a collaboration between authors, editors, and faculty mentors. 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 the educated general public and academic audiences worldwide.

Inquiry editors are members of that wider audience, who can tell an author when a concept, process, or term is or is not clear. Often, they will propose revised sentences, a different subject organization, reordering of paragraphs—all to help the author effectively develop and convey his/her subject. They also challenge the author to make his/her research interesting and relevant. The many drafts and revisions involved afford a learning experience for everyone.  

Before authors are accepted, they respond to basic revision questions and discuss them with a senior staff editor. (See SUBMISSIONS) Once accepted, student author/editor teams work together to revise the article; work begins early fall semester and continues through March of spring semester. During this time, mentors review drafts and verify the research methods and results described. Senior editors offer guidance and try to ensure that both authors and editors are learning how to better communicate and express themselves. Before the article is published, authors and mentors must sign a Publication Agreement (see below.)

Editorial calendar
September—mid-October: Senior editors meet with potential authors to discuss responses to revision questions. A student editorial board is assembled and meets. Student editors interview each other for short biographies.

Mid-October: Submissions are selected for the issue, and authors begin or continue work with a student and/or staff editor.

Mid-October—end of fall semester: Author/editor teams revise through many drafts, and submit an unpolished but complete draft by the semester’s end. Editors interview authors and mentors and draft short biographies.

January—mid-February: Final revisions are made and author/editor teams submit polished drafts.

Mid-February—mid-March: Other editors comment on and proofread drafts. Senior editors prepare articles for publication on the Web. Authors and mentors approve the final version of their articles.

Mid-April: A test site goes up for all involved in the issue to look at. A week later, Inquiry goes live.

Publication agreement
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. An author signature verifies that the work submitted is the author’s own, and that the author has read and agrees with the points about responsibility for publication in professional journals, the uses of published work for UNH publicity purposes, and the right of Inquiry staff to edit all submissions.  For some commentaries, the signature of the faculty mentor or principal teacher may not be required. Hard copies are available outside the Inquiry office (Hood House 218).