So You Want to Create a Student Research Journal? How to Craft a Journal Based on Peer Learning

Abstract

ABSTRACTAlthough many university educators and administrators seek to promote student research, opportunities to do so often are rare or costly. This case study of the undergraduate academic journalClocks&Cloudsprovides a clear model for reaping the rewards of this high-impact educational experience based on peer learning.The goal of this article is to institutionalize knowledge by reviewingClocks&Clouds, American University's undergraduate research journal in political science, international relations, and public policy. Input from three successive teams of student leaders, as well as interviews with administrators and faculty members at American University, suggests a method for creating a journal and "lessons learned" that can be applied at other institutions. The article builds on the research of Mariani et al. (2013), which considered various organizational strategies that political science departments use to structure undergraduate student publications. It highlights three facets of a model undergraduate journal in political science: organizational structures, peer-review process, and funding and resources. The purpose of this study was to encourage other undergraduate programs in political science to create student research publications and expand the reach of this high-impact educational practice.