School Library Research (SLR)

Publication Profiles > LIS Scholarly Journals > School Library Research (SLR)

 

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: School Library Research (SLR)

ISSN: 2165-1019

Website: http://www.ala.org/aasl/slr

Purpose, objective, or mission: School Library Research (SLR) is the research journal of the American Association of School Librarians, which is a division of the American Library Association. The purpose of the journal “is to promote and publish high quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school library programs.” The journal also emphasizes “research on instructional theory, teaching methods, and critical issues relevant to school libraries and school librarians.” SLR succeeds School Library Media Research and School Library Media Quarterly Online.1

Target audience: SLR’s target audience is “academic scholars, school librarians, instructional specialists and other educators who strive to provide a constructive learning environment for all students and teachers.”2

Publisher: American Library Association.

Peer reviewed? Yes, double-blind peer review.3

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online, open access.4

Content: SLR publishes original research reports, conceptual essays, and literature review and proposal papers.5 The journal also distributes “major research findings worldwide through both electronic publication and linkages to substantive documents on the Internet.”6

Frequency of publication: Each volume is published annually, but articles are added to the electronic journal after peer review and acceptance by the editorial board.7

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submit a Manuscript.

Types of contributions accepted: SLR accepts high-quality, original research on the the management, implementation, and evaluation of school library programs and on instructional theory, teaching methods, and critical issues relevant to school libraries and librarians. “Manuscripts may be based on original research, an innovative conceptual framework, or a substantial literature review that opens new areas of inquiry and investigation.”8

Submission and review process: Manuscripts, preferably in Microsoft Word, can be submitted via an online submission form or by email to the editors. Manuscripts undergo double-blind review, which usually takes eight to twelve weeks. If a manuscript is not accepted, the editor may forward reviewers’ recommendations to the author, and the manuscript can be revised and reviewed until accepted. Manuscripts are placed online only after full board review and majority acceptance; they remain open to critical review by readers.9

Editorial tone: The tone is scholarly and academic. The work submitted must follow all guidelines and present original scholarly material that adds something new to the field; published manuscripts must meet “the extensive review criteria.”10

Style guide used: €Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition) and an additional journal-specific guide.11

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

This is a high-profile, standard-setting research journal. SLR is appropriate for LIS authors who have experience in conducting original school library research and in writing articles that following standard research reporting guidelines: discussion of research questions, application of appropriate research methodology, review of and reference to relevant literature, and clear conclusions. Conceptual essays and literature review and proposal papers must follow the journal’s structural guidelines as well. LIS authors should carefully read the journal’s submission guidelines and see the Definitions of Acceptable Manuscript Content section for particulars.12

 

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Data not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations:  SLR is a U.S.-based journal written in English. The journal is a publication of the American Association of School Librarians, so readers are concerned with issues related to school libraries in America, but they are aware of and seek out more global perspectives on these issues. SLR is an open-access journal, so it does have an international reach.

Reader characteristics: The journal reaches a broad range of readers: school librarians in a variety of K-12 settings, LIS graduate students, academic scholars and researchers, and other educators. Readers will share a belief in the importance of high-quality services for students in K-12 schools and a desire “provide a constructive learning environment for all students and teachers.”13

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: It is likely that readers have a strong understanding of LIS subject matter.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers will expect articles, especially original research, that inform their own practices in school libraries and that will further their understanding of the present and future of school librarianship. They will also look to the journal for interpretations of policies, guidelines, and best practices published by the American Association of School Librarians and to keep up to date on the association’s standards and recommendations.14

Last updated: March 9, 2018


References

Show 14 footnotes

  1. Homepage, School Library Research, accessed March 9, 2018, http://www.ala.org/aasl/pubs/slr.
  2. Homepage.
  3.  “School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide,” School Library Research, accessed March 9, 2018, http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/SLR%20Submission%20Guide_UPDATE.pdf.
  4. “Publications & Journals,” American Association of School Librarians, accessed March 9, 2018, http://www.ala.org/aasl/pubs.
  5. School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  6. Homepage.
  7. School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  8.  “School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  9.  “School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  10.  “School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  11.  “School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  12.  “School Library Research (SLR) Submission Guide.”
  13. “Homepage.”
  14. See, for example, “School Library Research (SLR) Editor’s Choice,” School Library Research, accessed March 9, 2018, http://www.ala.org/aasl/pubs/slr/editors.
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