Research Briefs

Research Briefs usually involve literature reviews, extensive reviews of existing research, or the presentation new and original research. They may brief reports of pre-existing articles by the original author or modifications to graduate student papers and/or theses. Research Briefs should also include an extensive list of references.

Research Briefs should be approximately 1000-1500 words excluding references. The purpose of the Research Brief is to provide a research primer, not an exhaustive article on the topic. The Brief should be written for a broad audience who may not be fully familiar with research into the issues facing graduate and professional students. As such, the Brief should contain information that directs readers to additional information (key references, journals, newsletters, Web sites, videos, national associations, etc.).

Practice Briefs

The purpose of the Practice Brief is to profile unique, new or innovative programs and approaches to working with graduate and professional students on campuses. Practice Briefs should include a brief background from which the program arose, a detailed description of the program implementation and foundational research or thought, suggestions on how to modify the program to fit numerous campuses with different needs, and success and challenges associated with the program’s processes and outcomes. Practice Briefs should be approximately 1000-1500 words (excluding references) but should include references where appropriate.

Thought Briefs

The purpose of the Thought Brief is to provide a forum for articles that may not fall under the traditional definitions of “academic” work. The Thought Brief can provide a forum open to a broader range of authors and readers. Thought Briefs may be personal narratives of either your experience as a graduate or professional student, or your own insights and experiences drawn from working with these students. The Thought Brief can be a place to provide unique insight into an issue or an experience. Thought Briefs may also be opinion pieces highlighting important issues in work with graduate or professional students, or a position piece, or a call to action or change in practice. Thought Briefs are intended to make the reader think. They can be provocative, polemical, or simple narratives. The best Thought Briefs will provoke reflections, reactions, responses, or actions within a reader. Thought Briefs may not need citations, but Briefs such as opinion pieces should also include a foundation in research or cited fact where appropriate. Practice Briefs should be approximately 1000-1500 words, excluding references, although references should be used where appropriate.

Submission Guidelines

Please follow the guidelines listed below for submitting a Brief to the CGPSA:

  1. Choose the appropriate type of Brief for the information you wish to convey: Research, Practice, or Thought. Review the descriptions above for guidance. If you are unsure about what format would best convey your idea, thought, or message, contact the CGPSA Coordinator of Research and Scholarship to discuss your ideas.
  2. Contact the CGPSA Coordinator of Research and Scholarship with an “intent to submit.” Your “intent to submit” should include 1) specific category of Brief, 2) abstract of the topic, 3) names, titles, affiliations, and contact information for all authors.
  3. All Briefs should be submitted to the CGPSA Coordinator of Research and Scholarship via e-mail. Please ensure that your Brief adheres to current APA style and guidelines. Since many of the Briefs are similar to what might be found in the ACPA’s About Campus Magazine, you may wish to refer to their author guidelines for further suggestions.
  4. The CGPSA Coordinator of Research, Scholarship, & Awards will contact you to convey your Brief’s (1) acceptance, (2) acceptance with minor revisions, (3) acceptance with major revisions, or (4) denial. Should the Brief require revisions, the CGPSA Coordinator of Research and Scholarship will provide you with suggested areas for revision.
  5. A proof with the Brief designed in the final PDF format will be sent via e-mail.
  6. All briefs will be published on the Commission for Graduate & Professional Student Affairs website. Author(s) will retain the copyright to all work submitted and published via the CGPSA.