Mentoring
Research papers submitted to AQSG are expected to offer a significant contribution to the field, either by presenting new or little-known information and original research, or by reconsidering familiar material in an innovative way. Papers should be well researched, offering primary and secondary sources to support a valid and convincing thesis. Papers should be written in a lucid and interesting manner in active voice, and follow the Manuscript Guidelines provided through the AQSG office. Papers must not have been published previously.
Responsibilities and Expectations
Because mentoring is a voluntary program, expectations and responses may vary. Following are some guidelines to aid researchers and mentors as they interact:
Mentors:
Those wishing to act as mentors are asked to contact the committee chair (who may also initiate contact). One or more potential mentors will be asked by the committee chair to assist a given researcher, and will be provided a general outline of the researcher's paper before agreeing to mentor.
The researcher selects a mentor from among the names offered. Mentors and researchers should meet initially (in person, by phone, by e-mail) to discuss arrangements and agree upon the amount of involvement of each in the mentoring process. Phone appointments should be arranged for mutual convenience, at the researcher's expense.
Mentors should be willing to evaluate researchers' papers and to offer suggestions for changes in content and in style, indicating where papers may be edited for clarity or brevity. Mentors may also suggest further areas for research and analysis. Mentors should not be expected to edit papers.
Mentors are not responsible for editing the style or content of documentation. Questions of copyright, photo reproduction, and other technical matters are handled through the Manuscript Guidelines provided by the AQSG office, and by the Uncoverings committee following paper acceptance.
An individual may act as a mentor and submit a paper in the same year. Mentors must disclose to the researchers they aid their intent to submit.
AQSG members who have been asked simultaneously to be mentors and members of the paper selection committee may choose to decline either position (or not). The perception of conflict of interest is to be avoided at all cost.
Researchers:
Researchers wishing to be mentored are to contact the committee chair, and to provide a general statement of the research project. The committee chair will then approach one or more mentors. Upon the mentors' acceptance of the responsibility, the chair will give the mentors' names and contacts to the researcher. Responsibility for the initial contact rests with the researcher, who may select a mentor from the names provided.
Researchers and mentors should meet initially (in person, by phone, by e-mail) to discuss arrangements and to agree upon the amount of involvement of each in the mentoring process. Phone appointments should be arranged for mutual convenience, at the researcher's expense.
Researchers should prepare the written material for mentors in a clear and coherent style, and include any illustrations that will expand the mentor's understanding of the work.
Suggested changes in content and style need not be accepted by the researcher. Actual editing is to be done by the researcher, perhaps following the suggestions of the mentor.
The researcher is responsible for preparing documentation according to the Manuscript Guidelines.
All costs incurred in the transmitting of research on paper or by electronic formats are to be borne by the researcher.
The current Mentoring Committee Chair is Lucinda Cawley. Please call the AQSG office (402 477-1181) for her contact information.