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Conclusions and Reflection Topic

Once you have completed your field work and data collection, you will have to draw conclusions from what you have found, reflect on what those conclusions mean and finish writing your dissertation or thesis. The learning units in this topic will help you to both form conclusions from your findings and to explain them, as well as covering issues such as effective writing and presentation, defending your thesis in viva voce examinations, and thinking about what you might want to do after you have finished your research.

Writing a book

The frontispiece from the Chinese Diamond Sutra, the oldest known, dated, printed book in the world; printed in the 9th year of the Xiantong Era of the Tang Dynasty, i.e. 868 C.E.If you have decided to write a book then you need to have a good idea or concept, as the proposed text will have to stand the test of time. What is the purpose of the book and who is the audience? Will you be the sole author? Will it be an edited text book? Will the book be commisioned?

In addition to the book itself you will need to consider which publisher you should approach. They may require information such as:

  • An initial preliminary outline of the book
  • A general overview of the content and chapter coverage
  • The target audience and potential readership
  • The size of the book and costs

If the preliminary information is of interest to the publisher they may ask you to prepare a more detailed outline. You will need to prepare a more detailed outline in any case before you begin to write your book. When preparing the detailed outline you should follow any guidelines provided by the publisher. If the publisher does not specify what to include, your detailed outline should:

  • Contain the rationale for your book proposal including any link to policy initiatives and/or particular trends in your field.
  • Emphasise the uniqueness and innovation of your book

You should include a brief outline that explains:

  • the main content and the size of the book
  • the chapter coverage including any diagrams, tables, case studies etc
  • deadlines for first draft and final submission
  • a consideration of issues of copyright and permissions

Take time to read the contract carefully, to seek legal advice and to negotiate any terms that you feel require alteration. You may also need to settle contracts with any co-authors once they have been confirmed.

Once your book is underway you should carefully monitor the progress of the book against the agreed deadlines.

Editorial responsibilities

If you are editing a book you will have certain responsibilities, including:

  • Editing and proof reading, Including checking for consistency and format, and checking grammar and referencing
  • Negotiating slippage of time
  • Final editing and proof reading
  • Checking accuracy of tables and figures
  • Organising indexing
  • Deciding who to invite to write the preface
  • Arranging the publication launch
  • Getting the book reviewed: where and when and by whom?

Comments:

Alice NDong (13/02/2009 16:58:34)
Thnakyou. This infromation was very useful and I have used itto prepare for a pre-congress training in Uganda. Thank you.

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