Guidelines for New Quantitative Techniques

Analytics accepts manuscripts highlighting advances in quantitative techniques that hold the potential to strengthen research in writing analytics. Of special interest are new statistical techniques associated with educational measurement, massive data analysis, digital learning ecologies, and ethical interpretation and use of information.

Manuscripts calling attention to new methods will identify the new technique, establish the value of the contribution, provide an application of the technique, and propose directions for further research.

Analytics publishes detailed advances in statistical computing and graphical techniques of up to 10,000 words (approximately 40 double spaced manuscript pages, including references).

In submitting manuscripts, it is important for authors to realize that the journal aim—to advance multidisciplinary research at the intersection of educational measurement, massive data analysis, digital learning ecologies, and ethical philosophy —is best achieved when manuscripts reporting new quantitative techniques are attentive to these areas.

Formatting References

References should be formatted using APA style. For instructions on formatting references, see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition.

Formatting Text

Please adhere to the following guidelines for formatting article text.

  • Upload article submissions in the Microsoft Word document file format.
  • Provide URLs for the references where available.
  • Double space text and use a 12-point Times New Roman font.
  • Use italics instead of underlining (except for URL addresses).
  • Place figures and tables at the end of the document. Use the phrase "Insert Table (or Figure) X here." to indicate their placement in the document.
  • Follow the instructions in Ensuring Anonymous Review for submissions to a peer-reviewed section of the journal.

The following titles should be used for the main section headings, and the issues below should be addressed for the corresponding sections.

Structured Abstract

The structured abstract (between 500 and 750 words) is categorized by subheadings. The structured abstract should identify the quantitative technique, establish the value of the contribution, provide an application, and propose directions for further research.

Technique Identification

The section positions the quantitative method under examination and explains its significance.

This section includes information on

  • The origin and development of the technique under examination.
  • The research capability of the technique to advance writing analytics.

Value Contribution

This section includes information that positions the technique as it advances evidence related to fairness, validity, and reliability. As well, information should be provided that centers the technique in traditions such as classical test theory, generalizability theory, and item response theory. The proposed value should be very specific in terms of the power of the method to add to the knowledge related to evidential categories of fairness, validity, and reliability.

Technique Application

The application section describes the usefulness of the technique. Examples should be used with existing data sets so that readers will be able to quickly realize the force of the technique. Methodology here is important so that other researchers may use the technique in their own research.

Directions for Further Research

Authors should conclude the manuscript with directions for further research that the technique affords. Special attention should be paid to the principles that will guide future research.

Reviewers' Expectations

See the Reviewer Guidelines for the review criteria used by reviewers of new quantitative techniques manuscripts.