Writing Human Factors Research Papers

Writing high-quality papers suitable for publication within international scientific journals is now an essential skill for all early-career researchers; their career progression and the reputation of the department in which they work depends upon it. However, many manuscripts are rejected or sent back for major re-working not because the science they contain is in any way 'bad', but because the same problems keep occurring in the way that the material is presented. It is one thing to write a good scientific paper, however it is quite another thing to get it published. This requires some additional nous. In writing this book Don Harris draws upon nearly a quarter of a century of experience as an author and reviewer of research papers, and ultimately as a journal editor. By his own admission, it contains all the things he wished that his mentors had told him 25 years ago, but didn't. The material in the book is drawn from many years of finding all these things out for himself, usually by trial and error (but mostly error!). The text adopts a much lighter touch than is normally found in books of this type - after all, who really wants to read a book about writing research papers? The author describes his own unique approach to writing journal papers (which, in his own words, has proved to be extremely successful). All major points are illustrated with examples from his own, published works. The book is written in the form of a manual for constructing a journal manuscript: read a chapter, write a section. However, the material it contains goes beyond just this and also describes how to select a target journal, the manuscript submission process, what referees are looking for in a good journal paper, and how to deal with the referees' comments. Each chapter concludes with a checklist to ensure all the key elements have been addressed.

Don Harris PhD BSc is Director of HFI Solutions Ltd. He is also a Visiting Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an Honorary Visiting Fellow at the University of Leicester. Prior to establishing his own company he was Professor of Aerospace Human Factors at Cranfield University. Don is a Fellow of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, a Chartered Psychologist and a European Aviation Psychologist. Don has an extensive publication record. He has published more than 70 scientific journal papers, 100 conference papers and has edited or written 16 books on human factors in aviation and defence. Over the last 25 years Don has been Editor-in-Chief of the journal Human Factors and Aerospace Safety and is currently Editor-in-Chief of Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors. He has also acted as Guest Editor for issues for special issues of Ergonomics, the International Journal of Cognitive Ergonomics and Cognition Technology and Work, and sits on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Applied Aviation Studies. In association with Neville Stanton (Southampton University) and Eduardo Salas (University of Central Florida) he is Series Editor for the Ashgate series of research monographs Human Factors in Defence. Don regularly gives seminars to early career researchers working in industry, academia and research establishments on the preparation and submission of high-quality manuscripts to human factors journals.

Contents: Preface; Before you start (writing...); Interlude I: a few short observations on structure and style; Writing the results section; Writing the method section; Interlude II: a very short observation on authorship; Writing the introduction (part 1); Writing the discussion section; Writing the introduction (part 2); Writing the title, abstract and keywords; Interlude III: some different types of paper; Formatting and submitting your manuscript; Interlude IV: top 10 mistakes; The manuscript review process; Responding to referees' comments; Interlude V: a well kept secret - you may be eligible for some money!; A few final thoughts; References; Preface to appendices; Appendices; Index.