Have you considered making a New Year’s resolution to contribute a publication or research project this year?
I will be happy if I can keep my out put more or less same like the previous few years.
Christopher - I make the same one every year. Do more - bigger and better!! Sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't. Stuff happens - hey!!
I've tried to make resolutions about particular publications but it never quite works out. Unfortunately, it seems the results come when they're ready, and not before, no matter how much I want them. On the other hand, a resolution to work more / harder is fair game and has a tendency to pay off.
In the end, I'll have to agree with Subir and Dean that maintaining a steady and productive pace while constantly striving for a bit more is a great goal. No sense putting ourselves in the loony bin stressing over an ambitious resolution.
It raises an interesting issue: what is an acceptable academic target for annual publications? In 2017 I published 2 books and 5 peer reviewed papers but was disappointed with my output. What is a realistic target?
Glenn - stop being hard on yourself!! A lot of academics would be pleased with that - but there are those that strive and we all have personal goals. I've had some years where I have had 10 papers accepted and books and a number of book chapters etc - but I've also had one or two years with very little to show. It's the 'name of the game' and so many factors involved. I tend to find that, if you are changing institutions, then there is often a lull.
P.S. Glenn - what is realistic is relative to many contexts i.e personal drivers versus institutional drivers i.e. a university might suggest 1-3 peer-reviewed articles per year - but that is likely to be subjective - versus my personal goal which is 'publish as much as you can, when you can - and when your creative juices are flowing'. I don't personally advise writing according to institutional targets or schedules for the sake of it. Best to write because you want to when you can.
Dean, thank you. What is the institutional target for academic publishing at Flinders?
One book and 10 publications (5 journals and 5 conference papers with students). ! Last year, 5 conference articles with students and colleague and two solos.
Wow Amir, that sounds ambitious! I suppose that's about the same as mine though... good luck to everyone in 2018!
Thank you my dear friend and wishing an inspiring success in 2018 and beyond.
I guess I should throw mine out.... As a full time clinician, I’m shooting for one research project, a minimum of two peer reviewed publications and two conference presentations. If all goes well, four submitted manuscripts! Many of you have accomplished more in one year than I have in ten! Congratulations and I pray we are all successful with our goals! Happy new year!
Thank you Christopher.
I too wish you a productive and Happy New Year.
Hi Glenn,
At Flinders, we are going through a major transition from a Faculty to College structure. What was currency last year, with regard to publications, grant capture, workload models etc, will change this New Year - but the exact metric and dynamic is yet to be resolved. I would imagine that many universities are in this position of transition at this time.
Big difference between aspirations and achievement of goals. Suggestions for the action to get the papers written and submitted? Some people seem to wait "for a suitable time", some seem to block out a a specific time (such as every Tues morning), others take a week off and write, some use incentives (leisure day off when submitted etc) . What has worked for you?
Genevieve,
Thank you for your answer and follow on question. For me, Just writing something everyday. When not in manuscript mode, I try to jot down thoughts related to current or future projects. These often times spur real production when I am actively forming a manuscript.
Cheers,
Christopher
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