Comments on: Peer Review and the Problem of Black Confederate Studies http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/ Where History, Heritage, and Education Intersect Thu, 24 May 2012 16:37:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kevin Levin http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13842 Kevin Levin Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:46:27 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13842 I am hoping to send it off by the end of the day. This started as a blog post which you can read here: <a href="http://cwmemory.com/2009/06/16/was-the-battle-of-the-crater-the-last-slave-insurrection-in-the-western-hemisphere/" rel="nofollow">http://cwmemory.com/2009/06/16/was-the-battle-o...</a> I assume that given the feedback in the comments section that I will have little problem seeing it through to publication. I am hoping to send it off by the end of the day. This started as a blog post which you can read here: http://cwmemory.com/2009/06/16/was-the-battle-o… I assume that given the feedback in the comments section that I will have little problem seeing it through to publication.

]]> By: Terry Johnston http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13841 Terry Johnston Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:39:24 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13841 I'd really like to see that, Kevin. Hope it finds a good home. I'd really like to see that, Kevin. Hope it finds a good home.

]]> By: Kevin Levin http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13838 Kevin Levin Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:52:44 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13838 Pleased to hear it. I am hoping that by the end of the day I am finished with my essay on understanding the Crater as a slave rebellion. It's going to make for an awesome magazine article. Pleased to hear it. I am hoping that by the end of the day I am finished with my essay on understanding the Crater as a slave rebellion. It's going to make for an awesome magazine article.

]]> By: acwresearcher http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13837 acwresearcher Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:30:47 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13837 Actually, I revisited some research material after reading this. Considering there are "popular" and "academic" publications, and the audiences of both are very different, some of my material might be fit for print sooner than I think. Actually, I revisited some research material after reading this. Considering there are “popular” and “academic” publications, and the audiences of both are very different, some of my material might be fit for print sooner than I think.

]]> By: Kevin Levin http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13835 Kevin Levin Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:47:27 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13835 Glad you found it helpful, but I hope it doesn't discourage you from pursuing projects that you hope to publish in the future. I think you have to keep in mind that we are talking about one aspect of historical scholarship. The process is there as a form of quality control and is especially strict when it comes to academic publications. It's not perfect, but when done right it can be a real asset to the writer. That said, not everything that is worth publishing must be of such a form that it could pass such standards. It does, however, remind us that our work should be critically reviewed as part of the process of writing history. I encourage you to continue to pursue your interests and see your writing through to publication if you so desire. Glad you found it helpful, but I hope it doesn’t discourage you from pursuing projects that you hope to publish in the future. I think you have to keep in mind that we are talking about one aspect of historical scholarship. The process is there as a form of quality control and is especially strict when it comes to academic publications. It’s not perfect, but when done right it can be a real asset to the writer. That said, not everything that is worth publishing must be of such a form that it could pass such standards. It does, however, remind us that our work should be critically reviewed as part of the process of writing history. I encourage you to continue to pursue your interests and see your writing through to publication if you so desire.

]]> By: Greg Rowe http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13832 Greg Rowe Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:19:18 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13832 I, too, am appreciative for this look into the peer review process. I once thought of myself as an independent researcher, but not anymore! I'm not sure that anything I've written over the last couple of years is even ready for a mild version of peer review in the near future. Which makes me wonder about those who do tout themselves as "independent researchers" to the public. I, too, am appreciative for this look into the peer review process. I once thought of myself as an independent researcher, but not anymore! I’m not sure that anything I’ve written over the last couple of years is even ready for a mild version of peer review in the near future. Which makes me wonder about those who do tout themselves as “independent researchers” to the public.

]]> By: Kevin Levin http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13823 Kevin Levin Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:03:10 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13823 Thanks Vicki. I find that the more time I spend on a project the more difficulty it is to be critical. We enjoy hearing ourselves talk and reading our own words. Bringing in a broader community or seeing yourself as partaking in a broader dialog is truly humbling. Thanks Vicki. I find that the more time I spend on a project the more difficulty it is to be critical. We enjoy hearing ourselves talk and reading our own words. Bringing in a broader community or seeing yourself as partaking in a broader dialog is truly humbling.

]]> By: Vicki Betts http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13822 Vicki Betts Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:53:43 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13822 I well remember my first peer-reviewed article back in 1984 that came back from the Southwestern Historical Quarterly with a red check mark over every single noun, and questions and comments on every page. And that was after earning an A in a grad class from a strict prof who was an acknowledged expert in that area of Texas Civil War history. But it was a great, if humbling, learning experience and continues to make a perfect point of reference when talking with students about the importance of research and writing skills to the field. I well remember my first peer-reviewed article back in 1984 that came back from the Southwestern Historical Quarterly with a red check mark over every single noun, and questions and comments on every page. And that was after earning an A in a grad class from a strict prof who was an acknowledged expert in that area of Texas Civil War history. But it was a great, if humbling, learning experience and continues to make a perfect point of reference when talking with students about the importance of research and writing skills to the field.

]]> By: chris meekins http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13820 chris meekins Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:46:02 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13820 It was a surprise to at least one of my professors when the article came out and my name was on it. He had kinder things to say about it then - it was a good laugh by us all. But its good to step out of your comfort zone, set that essay free, and hope like heck to learn from the feedback. That very experience of the free exchange of ideas, that teaching and learning moment, is so much a part of the advanced training of an historian. The article that I had published was almost ten years in the drafting, redrafting, additional research, and final drafting after reader comments. The one that failed admittedly came from only a semester and was a PhD writing class project. The most positive thing about such feedback is that at least you know they have read the darn thing. A major writing sample in another class was critiqued rather harshly by the prof and then he asked what I would do first to fix the 20 plus pages. I was so stunned at the feedback all I could offer was - "Um, start completely over evidently." But it ended well - after many drafts. It was a surprise to at least one of my professors when the article came out and my name was on it. He had kinder things to say about it then – it was a good laugh by us all.

But its good to step out of your comfort zone, set that essay free, and hope like heck to learn from the feedback. That very experience of the free exchange of ideas, that teaching and learning moment, is so much a part of the advanced training of an historian. The article that I had published was almost ten years in the drafting, redrafting, additional research, and final drafting after reader comments. The one that failed admittedly came from only a semester and was a PhD writing class project.

The most positive thing about such feedback is that at least you know they have read the darn thing. A major writing sample in another class was critiqued rather harshly by the prof and then he asked what I would do first to fix the 20 plus pages. I was so stunned at the feedback all I could offer was – “Um, start completely over evidently.” But it ended well – after many drafts.

]]> By: Tom http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13819 Tom Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:53:43 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13819 Well, I'm batting 1000, but I've only submitted one article for peer review. If I'd submitted two, I'd likely have the same average as Chris. The one comment I remember clearly was before peer review: I'd been through two drafts myself, ran it by a couple co-workers, the showed it to a former professor (he was likely one of the later blind readers). His opening comment was: "This article is in no condition to be submitted to an academic journal." Ouch! The article did get published after incorporating my former professor's suggestions and some of those of the blind readers. The whole process definitely made the end result much better. The editor at the journal was a great help. I like to think I know how to write, but a good editor will always be essential for me. Well, I’m batting 1000, but I’ve only submitted one article for peer review. If I’d submitted two, I’d likely have the same average as Chris. The one comment I remember clearly was before peer review: I’d been through two drafts myself, ran it by a couple co-workers, the showed it to a former professor (he was likely one of the later blind readers). His opening comment was: “This article is in no condition to be submitted to an academic journal.” Ouch!

The article did get published after incorporating my former professor’s suggestions and some of those of the blind readers. The whole process definitely made the end result much better. The editor at the journal was a great help. I like to think I know how to write, but a good editor will always be essential for me.

]]> By: Kevin Levin http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13817 Kevin Levin Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:54:30 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13817 The other reviews were just as critical. You have to remember that I earned an A for the seminar so I was feeling somewhat positive about the essay. You can imagine what it was like to read the reviews. Keep in mind, however, that I would not have won an award, let alone published, without those critiques. The other reviews were just as critical. You have to remember that I earned an A for the seminar so I was feeling somewhat positive about the essay. You can imagine what it was like to read the reviews. Keep in mind, however, that I would not have won an award, let alone published, without those critiques.

]]> By: Ed http://cwmemory.com/2010/02/18/peer-review-and-the-problem-of-black-confederate-studies/#comment-13816 Ed Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:48:51 +0000 http://cwmemory.com/?p=6650#comment-13816 Yikes! What an excellent lesson in peer reviews. Did the other two reviews offer constructive criticism? Yikes! What an excellent lesson in peer reviews. Did the other two reviews offer constructive criticism?

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