The Development of a Peer-Reviewed, Student-Centered Journal: From Student Idea to Realization

Abstract

Informed by student needs and organizational goals, a dedicated group of students and faculty mentors founded a new peer-reviewed, student-centered journal supported by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and the AASP Foundation. The following paper outlines key factors that contributed to the actualization of this journal including an overview of the supporting organization, historical context relevant to the journal, and includes a brief overview of the student leadership positions at the center of the development of the journal. Additionally, we outline the three-year process of taking this journal from an idea, to a proposal, to full operation-as evidenced by this first issue. Our hope is that through a transparent reflection of our process, other students may be empowered by our learned experiences and gain confidence to advocate for lofty goals within their own organizations.

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“…To tackle inconsistencies in experiential learning opportunities afforded to neophyte researchers in our discipline, there is a critical need for initiatives, independent of graduate students' advisors and programs, that offer education and mentorship in publication and peer review (for other arguments for the need for such initiatives, see Brustad, 1999;Holt & Spence, 2012). To address this need, faculty and student members of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) collaborated to establish the Journal for Advancing Sport Psychology in Research (JASPR; see Hess et al, 2021). As a student-centered academic publication, JASPR provides neophyte researchers with extensive and varied opportunities to build knowledge of, and practice in, the art of research authorship, editorship, and peer review.…”

Accentuating Research Scholarship Through Innovative Student Opportunities: A Mentored Approach

“…Two decades following Robert J. Brustad (1999) championing for peer-review education, JASPR has been established with the mission of providing graduate students valuable research scholarship experiences (see Hess et al, 2021 this issue), including peer review of manuscripts. Because JASPR is a student-centered journal that aims to publish rigorous student-led research, graduate students willing to serve as invited peer reviewers have the opportunity to partake in genuine student-to-student peer review in a guided infrastructure, thereby gaining valuable review experience.…”

Inaugural Report 2022: Establishing and Operating the Journal for Advancing Sport Psychology in Research - Reflections from Inaugural Junior Editorial Board Members

“…To tackle inconsistencies in experiential learning opportunities afforded to neophyte researchers in our discipline, there is a critical need for initiatives, independent of graduate students' advisors and programs, that offer education and mentorship in publication and peer review (for other arguments for the need for such initiatives, see Brustad, 1999;Holt & Spence, 2012). To address this need, faculty and student members of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) collaborated to establish the Journal for Advancing Sport Psychology in Research (JASPR; see Hess et al, 2021). As a student-centered academic publication, JASPR provides neophyte researchers with extensive and varied opportunities to build knowledge of, and practice in, the art of research authorship, editorship, and peer review.…”