Research Summary: A design-based online training to boost doctoral students’ writing for publication skills

A research study developed an online Writing for Publication Training (WFPT) specifically for doctoral students, especially non-native English speakers, to enhance their skills in publishing in international academic journals. The training, grounded in design-based research and authentic learning principles, simulates the full scholarly publishing process, from journal selection to responding to editorial feedback.

Why it matters

The ability to effectively publish research is fundamental for academic progression, institutional reputation, and the dissemination of knowledge. Addressing the challenges faced by doctoral students, particularly those for whom English is not their first language, is crucial for fostering inclusive research environments and ensuring a broader impact of scholarly work.

Key insights

• There is a recognized gap in effective support for doctoral students, particularly non-native English speakers, in navigating international academic publishing.
• The online WFPT program simulates the authentic scholarly publishing process through practical tasks like article drafting, peer review, and addressing editorial feedback.
• The training was tailored for doctoral students in English Language Teaching, suggesting domain-specific applications.
• The WFPT was developed and refined through two iterative cycles of design-based research, indicating a robust developmental approach.
• Qualitative data from interviews and reflections were used to evaluate the program, focusing on the participant experience.

Source

Educational Technology Research and Development — https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11423-026-10742-8