Scholarly Communication

Writing is a significant part of research. It is important to create and maintain a schedule, write consistently, and improve writing techniques. Resources outside the library support this step of the research process for both students and faculty.

Services and tools:

• Faculty can attend virtual meetings of the Faculty Writing Club. Details are sent through the FCTL listserv emails or by contacting the office directly at FCTL@ucf.edu. For current workshop offerings, visit FCTL’s website.
• Graduate students can attend the workshop “Learning from Expert Writers.”
• Students and faculty can find resources or schedule a consultation through the University Writing Center.

Research Guide: Publishing Opportunities

For more information, contact Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning

Deciding where to publish involves many considerations. Will your manuscript reach the intended audience and suit the content of the journal? Some journals may be preferred over others in a specific discipline or field of study. What are the journal’s impact factors? How accessible will your publication be, and what rights will you retain as an author? Open Access options can also be considered. Beware of predatory journals and seek consultations when uncertain.

Services and tools:

• Search and compare journals by name, category, publisher, or abstract content.
• Evaluate and compare journal citation reports to help determine your choice for high impact journal.
• Search SHERPA/RoMEO to see if your published works can be archived in places such as your personal website, course website, or in an institutional repository.
• Consider the checklist from Think Check Submit.
• Evaluate the openness of journals in consideration of Open Access.
• Use precautions if publishing Open Access by looking through a list of journals removed from the Directory of Open Access Journals.
• Consult your subject librarian for discipline-specific information.
• Consult with Cyndia Muñiz on publishing opportunities that center Hispanic/Minority Serving Institutions (HSI/MSIs).

Research Guides: Where to Publish | Publishing Opportunities

For more information, contact Sarah Norris

Presenting your scholarly work is often a companion to the publication process; however, it requires a different skill set. Some things to consider: visual design, flow, audience, location, outline, research supporting the presentation, and public speaking techniques.

Services and tools:

• Borrow equipment to use for your presentation.
• Request instruction on presentation skills and techniques for your class or research team.
• Consult with Cyndia Muñiz on conference and other presentation opportunities that center Hispanic/Minority Serving Institutions (HSIs/MSIs).

For more information, please contact Sarah Norris

You own the copyright to any scholarly work you create unless you give that right away. As soon as your work is in a tangible form (a Word document, a web site, a recording, etc.), the copyright is yours. Copyright is a bundle of rights; authors can easily give away or sell these rights, but doing so will mean you are no longer the copyright holder for your work. This transfer of copyright ownership often happens when you sign a standard scholarly publishing agreement.

Services and tools:

• Create an addendum with the SPARC Author Addendum to retain certain rights to your work that you publish.
• Search SHERPA/RoMEO to see if your published works can be archived in places such as your personal website, course website, or in an institutional repository.
• Review University Regulation 2.033 “Copyright and Works” for details regarding UCF’s rights to your scholarly work.

Research Guide: Author Rights

For more information, contact Sarah Norris