The value of scholarship
While all members of the Political Science Department are expected to maintain a record of effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, it is recognized by the Department that for purposes of achieving tenure a strong record of accomplishment in the area of research is essential. This policy is consistent with our belief that a university must be a place which generates knowledge as well as disseminates it. Further, this policy is consistent with our belief that active involvement in research activities enhances the quality of classroom performance and other instruction-related activities.
Evidence of Scholarship
(a) Only documented evidence of scholarship will be used to assess a faculty member’s eligibility for tenure.
(b) Evidence A general note on quality: with respect to the professional activities of the candidate in scholarship, it is important for both candidate and reviewing bodies to note that not all activities are equally meritorious. In keeping with the standards of a Ph.D. granting department, both quantity and quality of scholarly activities shall figure into the evaluation of the candidate’s record.
With respect to scholarship, published research carries greater weight than non-published. Further, some published materials carry greater value than others. In general, quality will be evaluated as a combination of the nature of the scholarship (e.g., theoretically informed work); the stringency of the review process to which that work of scholarship has been submitted (e.g., journals with strict refereeing processes and low acceptance rates as opposed to those with less rigorous procedures and higher rates of acceptance); and the prestige/visibility of the medium in which the work appears.
With respect to scholarship, published research within the discipline of political science, across its sub-disciplines, and across disciplines is valued. It is expected that candidates for tenure demonstrate a range of publication outlets, publishing articles not only in specialized journals read only within their community of expertise but also articles in broader journals in their subfields broadly defined.
Unpublished research or technical reports that are distributed locally or informally are not to be considered “publications.”
With respect to jointly authored works of scholarship, the degree of the candidate’s contribution will be considered. Thus, candidates should indicate the degree and nature of their contributions to co-authored works.
With respect to applications for extramural funding, the department expects applications for external funding from faculty members receiving start-up funds and encourages applications from all faculty members. Applications to the National Science Foundation and other highly prestigious funding sources are encouraged, but all extramural applications are considered meritorious.
Primary evidence of scholarship may include:
(1) peer-reviewed (refereed) books, articles, book chapters, and monographs;
(2) seeking and/or securing grants, especially extramural funding.
Additional evidence of scholarship may include:
(3) recognition of outstanding achievement, such as awards;
(4) presentation of papers at professional meetings;
(5) textbooks;
(6) book reviews
(7) research and technical reports which are distributed locally or informally;
(8) organizing, conducting, and participating in workshops and panels;
(9) reviewing manuscripts for journals and/or publishers;
(10) reviewing grant proposals and/or reports for external granting agencies and foundations;
(11) consulting contracts with governmental, non-profit, or private sector organizations;
(12) on-going involvement, based upon professional expertise, in community-based or professional organizations;
(13) publishing of op-eds and articles in newspapers and similar non-academic publications;
(14) instructor’s manuals and instructional software.
