DSW Qualifying Exam and Manuscript Preparation Study Guide

Existing QE Product: The instructor clarified that the paper students are intended to work on for this course is the Qualifying Exam (QE) paper they have already written. It is not a new assignment or a reinvention of their work.
Manuscript Transformation: The primary task is to take the existing QE paper and align it with the specific criteria of a chosen peer-reviewed journal for submission.
Required Paper Components: The original QE product should already contain the following sections: * Title Page * Abstract * Introduction * Background * Methodology * Results * Discussion and Conclusion
Paper Formats: The QE could have been completed as a systematic review, a scoping review, or a policy analysis. Students must ensure the journal they choose explicitly accepts the specific type of paper they have written.
Peer Review Requirement: Students must submit to a peer-reviewed journal. Peer review adds credibility, as experts in the field review the subject matter to ensure alignment and quality.
Alignment Specifics: Journal criteria vary significantly. Students may need to adjust their QE paper by: * Condensing or removing information to meet word count limitations. * Adjusting the writing style (e.g., APA style vs. other formats). * Refining components to match the journal's specific scope (e.g., matching a homelessness-focused paper with the International Journal of Homelessness).

The 12-Step Workbook: Students are utilizing a workbook designed to teach the process of writing a manuscript for publication. While they may not complete all 12 steps, they will perform specific steps to learn the components of professional submission.
Weekly Reflections/Journaling: Assignments in the workbook are considered reflective journals documenting the journey of creating an article. Key points for reflection include: * Fears and challenges associated with writing. * Key takeaways from the workbook chapters. * Strategic planning, such as preparing a writing schedule (e.g., "Monday, I will take an hour to adjust the methodology section").
Critical Thinking and Articulation: The journaling process is intended to help students develop critical thinking and professional development skills, enabling them to talk about their work in professional settings or speaking engagements.
Authenticity over AI: Dr. Flores Carter expressed a preference for authentic reflections over AI-generated content. She is open to students providing oral presentations or video blogs (Vlogs) for their reflections. * Vlog Duration: Video reflections should be concise, ideally between $1$ to $3$ minutes max.

Core Purpose: The goal is to transition from being a "knowledge retriever" (one who gains knowledge) to a "knowledge producer" (a scholar who publishes knowledge for the community).
Dissemination Options: Students can choose various formats to reach the greater community: * Blog Posts: Writing for professional magazines or websites. * Podcasts: Hosting a session on a free platform (like Apple Podcasts) or appearing as a guest on existing podcasts to discuss their expertise (e.g., mental wellness, infertility). * Reports: Presenting findings to a professional audience, such as a leadership board or a county agency. * Conference Presentations: Submitting abstracts for workshops, oral presentations, or poster sessions. * Infographics: Creating professional-grade visual summaries including statistics, graphs, and charts comparable to those produced by organizations like the Pew Research Center.
Project Length: The reflection part of the dissemination project should be between $2$ and $6$ pages, accounting for discrepancies between the syllabus and the online module.
Timeline Adjustment: Due to the complexity of finding platforms for dissemination (like blogs or podcast guests), the instructor agreed to offer a one-week extension for this project.

QE (Qualifying Exam): This was completed in the first year and is typically a literature review or analysis (Systematic/Scoping Review).
Comp (Comprehensive) Project: This is a second-year project involving implementation, data collection, and evaluation of a social innovation.
Submission Differences: The manuscript submission for this class is based on the QE for a professional journal. The Comp project follows separate CBU library and ProQuest criteria for the university's defense requirements.
Overlap: There may be some overlap in content where parts of the QE transfer into the Comp project's dissemination chapter. This is acceptable as the program is designed for these phases to be an "overflow" of one another.

Brand Launch: The manuscript and dissemination projects are viewed as the launch of the student's personal brand and professional trajectory.
Conference Encouragement: While a journal submission is required, Dr. Flores Carter highly encourages students to be ambitious and submit to conferences (e.g., NASW or the Children’s Network Conference) to present their work.
Institutional Shift: CBU is currently shifting toward becoming an R2 (Research 2) institution, which involves bringing in experts to push programs toward higher research output.
Christ-Centered DSW: The program is noted for being one of the only Christ-centered DSW programs, focusing on training students to be independent consultants and practitioners.

Leadership Changes: Dr. Hayes has returned and will remain until the end of June. Dr. Flores Carter continues as interim director. A new director from Chicago is scheduled to start on August 1st, 2024.
Graduation and Gala: Planning is underway for the Hooding Ceremony and the Gala, which are likely to take place in July.
Exit Interviews: Students in the adviser course must schedule exit interviews. The calendar links may still point to Dr. Hayes but will be updated.
Cohort Adjustments: Shifts in course schedules and cohort sizes occurred due to student retention and the need to meet minimum enrollment numbers per class.

Q: Can I use a conference presentation from March 2024 for the dissemination project? * A: Yes, if it was done during this academic year and was not a requirement for a different class.
Q: Is it okay to submit more than one journal to ensure acceptance? * A: No, you can only submit to one journal at a time. You must wait for a rejection before submitting to another. The course requirement is proof of submission, not necessarily acceptance, due to long journal review timelines (sometimes over a year).
Q: For the dissemination project, is a rejected conference abstract okay? * A: Rejection is part of the process. The instructor will consider it, but recommends looking for new opportunities like NASW calls to resubmit.
Q: Is YouTube an acceptable dissemination platform? * A: Yes, provided you have a channel set up and use it to promote the work to an audience.
Q: Are poster presentations acceptable? * A: Yes, if they were accepted and presented at a conference (e.g., spring sessions in April or March), that counts for the program requirement.