Questions asked by a new member in Ghana (and initial answers)

Today one of our new members from Ghana asked two very clear questions. Others have been asking me (Admin.) similar questions, so I will make my answers public here:

Q1. How do I become an active and contributing member for the benefit of the website, my research and other researchers?

First - explore the network and explore the profiles of researchers, editors, translators and others within the network. This will give you a more direct sense of the potentials and limitations of the network we have created so far.

Second - consider offering to be a volunteer reader or editor for unpublished research papers that are close to your interests and experience. If you make the offer very specific, you will not be overwhelmed with unwanted requests for help, and if someone does find and accept your offer, it may help you develop your own skills in communication. Helping others is the best way to contribute, and the best way to begin networking.

Third - use your own blog page or the Ghana group, or another group page to post messages about the problems and successes of research communication in your own experience, or in your study areas, or country. One aim of the Research Cooperative is to stimulate discussions about research communication in general, in specific subject areas. (Our primary aim is helping all people involved in research and publishing to communicate with each other, and with their readers, more effectively).

Q2. Are there any challenging tasks for members?

There are many!

For example: Our network does not yet include many publishers and journal editors, and yet these are the people who most need to develop human networks to support the quality and strength of their publications. We need them to join, because they are the people who receive unpublishable manuscripts, and have direct contact with authors who need help. Members who have contact with journal editors and publishers can try to introduce the Research Cooperative to them. Visit offices! Make phone calls! Send emails! Send invitations from our Invite tab above. But also - be patient, be polite, don't be pushy.

Also, in Ghana, there may not seem to be many opportunities for students to publish their won work, independently of whatever courses they are studying. If there is no student journal in Ghana, members of this network could try to establish a 'Ghana University Students Journal'. with participation by students from across all universities and their campuses. Technically, this would not be difficult as an online publishing project, using a free blog site for example. The real work would be in creating an editorial committee and identifying the journal aims, and building a network of contributors. This could be the first aim, with any strong areas that emerge being encouraged to branch off and form subject-specific student journals.