In this chapter, the author highlights why scholars publish, explores the nature and size of LIS theses and dissertations originating from South Africa, discusses their publication output, explores how to publish from dissertations/theses, and discusses the challenges and opportunities of engaging in such publications by using largely personal experience and desk research. The author concludes that successful publication from theses and dissertations calls for significant support for and mentorship of novice researchers by research supervisors, experienced peers, and established researchers, and this requires a great deal of collaboration and patience. He also argues that publishing research results, such as dissertations/theses in a credible scholarly journal or book, symbolizes quality research output.
TopWhy Scholars Publish
Several widely cited reasons explain why scholars publish their research output (Ocholla, 2007; Stilwell, 2006; Ocholla, 2011; Clowes & Shefer, 2013; Maher et al., 2014). Calvert and Gorman (2002, p. 3) observe that authors write
to disseminate new research findings or ideas. The publication of a paper establishes precedents in the formation of new knowledge, and puts new information in the professional domain where it can be scrutinized, criticized, and either accepted or rejected. It may then contribute to further discourse. The author also makes personal gains by adding to a list of publications that can be used for tenure and promotion, for gaining professional acceptance that may lead to speaking engagement, consultancy work, perhaps even awards.
Murray in Stilwell (2006, p. 7) summarizes the reasons as follows: career progression or moving up to the next rung on the ladder, gaining recognition for work done, preventing others from taking credit for one’s work or using one’s materials, helping one’s students gain recognition for their work, learning higher standards of writing, contributing to knowledge, building the institution’s status, and developing a profile. Other noteworthy reasons, in my view, include: to justify funding for an individual; department or institution; for tenure or permanent appointment; “publish or perish”, or as a job requirement; career progression/promotion and other forms of reward, gratification, or boosting one’s ego through recognition/visibility, knowledge sharing, announcement of propriety or ownership, community practice and incentive, and education and training. The next section focuses on research collaborative theories, which make up the co-authorship framework.
TopFrameworks And Theoretical Perspectives
By frameworks, we refer to theories, models, policies and guidelines for partnership and collaboration. The concept, collaboration, has several meanings. Among other useful definitions, it may be viewed as a “partnership, alliance or network, aimed at a mutually beneficial clearly defined outcome” (Commonwealth of Australia, 2004, p. 1).