What Is An ERIC Book?
Books may be research reports that analyze and synthesize the literature into research reviews, bibliographies, state-of-the-art studies, interpretive studies on topics of high current interest, or similar documents designed to meet the information needs of ERIC users.
Books are targeted specifically to teachers, administrators, and other practitioners, but they are also intended to be useful to the broad educational community including parents, policy makers, andresearchers.
Each clearinghouse in the ERIC system produces books in its scope area. The ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology (ERIC/IT) publishes two to four books per year on topics in Educational Technology and Library/Information Science.
For authors, writing a book is an opportunity to attain high visibility and promote their scholarship among a widespread readership while also helping the ERIC system to demonstrate its sensitivity to user needs.
How Are ERIC/IT Books Distributed?
ERIC/IT books are widely disseminated to the educational community through a variety of channels:
- New titles are regularly announced in The Vertical File Index; ERIC's Resources in Education; and the ERIC/IT Update, ERIC/IT's semi-annual newsletter; presentations at local, state, and national professional conferences; and in response to user inquiries. Review copies are sent to ERIC/IT "multiplier groups," including professional associations, graduate schools, and other organizations concerned with Educational Technology and Library/Information Science.
- More than 3,000 copies of books are distributed by ERIC/IT ina typical year, and countless users are exposed to books through multiplier groups and online services.
What Should An ERIC/IT Book Include?
A book can provide an overview of a topic, define and describe a controversial topic, report on the current status of research in an area, or any combination of these. In any case, the content of a book should be substantive, objective, and based on well-documented sources. A book may make an example of a local project within a fuller discussion of the main topic, but in order to be valuable to a broad and varied audience, it should not be limited to the author's own project(s) or experience(s).
A reference list containing significant works for further information should be included. References may be to commercial publications, journal articles, or other sources used in developing the digest. References to ERIC documents are desirable, and ED numbers should be supplied.
What Are The Technical Specifications For An ERIC/IT Book?
- Length. - The manuscript text of a book should be no more than 200 pages, single spaced. (8 1/2" x 11" size). This includes the body of the paper as well as the bibliography. Longer manuscripts will be cut.
- Format. - The text should be divided into chapters, and each chapter should include a brief introduction and conclusion. We also recommend that you summarize the main points of each chapter in a bulleted list. This bulleted list should appear at the end of each chapter.
- Style. - The text of a book should consist of clear, concise, informative sentences. ERIC requires that it is your original work and not previously published, does not infringe any copyright or other right, and does not contain any matter that is libelous or otherwise unlawful. Use active language to improve readability. Extremely long sentences should be avoided. Short lists within the text or bulleted sections may be used to provide reading variety.
- Citations and Permissions. - References must be complete and accurate, using APA style guidelines. Any direct quotes from another source must appear in quotation marks and must include the page number of the source where the quoted material is found. When paraphrasing the work of others, include the original author's name and publication year. Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to reprint any charts, tables, graphs, figures, or large portions of text created by other authors.
How Is an ERIC/IT Book Reviewed?
After initial editing, an ERIC/IT book is reviewed internally by a project monitor for the clearinghouse or another senior member of the ERIC system. The book is also submitted to two subject experts for an external review. Reviewers' suggestions are applied to the manuscript at the editor's discretion. When substantial changes are made to a manuscript, a revised copy is sent to the author for approval. A sample review form is attached.
Compensation
If your book is accepted for publication, you will receive an honorarium. All authors also receive five personal copies of the final publication as well as a copy of the ERIC microfiche of your publication.
How Should a Book Be Submitted to ERIC/IT?
Book manuscripts should be submitted in paper copy. To facilitate the editing process, an electronic copy should also be supplied.
IBM Disk Copy. Submit a 3 1/2" disk, formatted in IBM Version 3.1 or higher (or on a compatible system); text can be in WordPerfect (Version 5.0 or higher); in ASCII (DOS); or Microsoft Word for Windows. (No "Fast-Save" versions, or compressed text).
Macintosh Disk Copy. Submit text on a 3 1/2" disk or zip disk, in MS Word'98; or ASCII (text). (No "Fast-Save" versions, or compressed text).
Electronic Mail. Send e-mail attachments to: nicole@ericir.syr.edu
For more information contact:
Clearinghouse Publications
ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology
621 Skytop Rd., Suite 160
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York 13244-5290
(315) 443-3640; (800) 464-9107
Fax: (315) 443-5448
Email: eric@ericir.syr.edu
(last updated 10/15/98)
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