Monograph Matters

Monograph Matters (MM) is an initiative designed as a companion website for the Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, a quarterly journal published by Wiley on behalf of the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). The journal has a long-standing reputation for high-quality research relevant to, and valued by, developmental scientists. Monograph Matters—a web- and media-based forum—is used to magnify the reach, usability, and impact of Monographs.

What does Monograph Matters offer?

Content on Monographs Matters is intended to expand Monographs’ contributions to scholarship, teaching, and outreach.

Scholarship content is designed to extend the impact and dissemination of the scientific contribution of each Monograph. For example, to encourage dialogue and collaboration, MM may host invited commentaries; author videos or interviews; and provide detailed descriptions, resources, or links related to data sets, coding systems, measures, or analytic tools. To foster dissemination and discussion, MM may provide social media alerts, press releases, and contact information for journalists.

Teaching content is designed to encourage the use and value of Monographs for instructional purposes. Illustratively, MM may identify courses for which a particular Monograph may be relevant, it may provide video tutorials, or offer instructional materials such as illustrative classroom discussion topics, assignments, or activities.

Outreach content is designed to increase the impact of Monographs for the policy and practice of child development. For example, MM activities might include written exchanges, call-in programs, or videotaped conversations between authors and end-users such as teachers, parents, or policymakers. MM might suggest policies for which the Monograph may be relevant and may facilitate conversations among researchers and practitioners.

How does Monograph Matters work?

Once a Monograph has undergone peer review and has been accepted for publication, the Interim Editor, Ginger A. Moore, will have conversations with the author(s) to identify potential audiences and dissemination goals, and to plan for the production of MM materials and activities. For example, the editors may offer guidance to authors who are interested in preparing a videotape to highlight their findings or to explain their methodology. Decisions about content and format for material provided through MM will be made by the editors in collaboration with the SRCD Communications Team.

Most web-based MM materials related to a given issue of Monographs will appear at the same time that the Monograph is published (online) by Wiley. In the two to three months following a new issue’s release, conversations on social media will take place under the guidance and support of the Associate Editor, in collaboration with the Director of Communications.

Mechanisms for indexing and searching past MM materials and topics will become increasingly important as each additional Monograph is added.

How can I submit to Monograph Matters and/or the Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development?

Where should suggestions or questions be directed?

As noted, Monograph Matters is a new component of the SRCD Monographs and thus, questions and inquiries are especially welcome. Please direct questions or suggestions as follows:

• General MM questions and suggestions for future Monographs or MM: Editor monographs@srcd.org
• Monograph Matters website: SRCD Communications, communications@srcd.org