Writing Skills For Social Sciences
Research is not complete until it is published, and not possible unless it is funded. Good writing skills are key to convincing the reviewers of the merit of your paper or grant. To help you organize your thoughts and put them down on paper in clear and engaging language, the OCPD offers books, online resources, workshops, and appointments with our Writing Specialist.
How We Serve You...
Brush up on The Principles of Good Academic And Scientific Writing
- Our library and writing resources are good places to start reviewing the basics of good English or academic writing.
- You might also benefit from an appointment with the Writing Specialist who can help you with anything from outlines to paragraph structure and word choice.
- The OCPD also organizes workshops where participants can hone their writing skills through hands-on writing and peer-editing exercises.
Learn How to Get a Research Article Published
Publishing research articles requires a good understanding of the
journals' requirements, the review process and the etiquette of interacting
with editors.
- To familiarize you with these vital but often overlooked aspects of publishing, the OCPD organizes panel discussions on the review process, classes on the ethics of publishing and meetings with journal editors.
Learn About Grant Writing And Funding Institutions
NRSA, SRA, NSF, NIMH, NICHD, NINR, K awards, R awards...the alphabet soup of awards and granting institutions is thick with confusing guidelines and peppered with unexpected constraints.
- To help you identify the right award for your needs and qualifications, understand the grant review process and organize a research proposal, the OCPD organizes a yearly workshop on the NIH granting process and lunchtime presentations on other funding sources.
- Private consultations with the Writing Specialist are also available to discuss various points of writing and explore funding avenues.
Prepare a Research or Teaching Statement for Your Academic Job Search
With the number of applicants soaring to the hundreds for any one academic job opening, your research or teaching statements need to stand out.
- The OCPD sponsors the Preparing Future Faculty series, where experienced faculty explain the purpose of these documents and how to craft them.
- You can also meet with the Writing or Teaching Specialist who can help you improve your statements' content and flow.
CVs, Cover Letters (for academic or other jobs)
- Whether you are applying for academic or non-academic jobs, OCPD counselors can help you format your CV and write an appropriate cover letter.
- For more information, please visit the Social Sciences Job Search section.