Call for Papers - Community Journalism Interest Group

For research to be presented at the AEJMC annual convention
August 2007 in Washington, D.C.

The Community Journalism Interest Group (COMJIG) of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication is seeking scholarly research papers to be considered for presentation at the annual AEJMC Convention to be held in Washington, D.C. Thursday Aug, 9 to Sunday Aug. 12, 2007.

COMJIG is interested in research focused on any and all aspects of community journalism, from small-town newspapers to ethnic papers and niche magazines in major cities, from rural independent radio to independent Web 'zines with readers around the world. Our goal is to identify and present original, meaningful research that advances the understanding of the role of journalists and news organizations as members of communities, with particular interest in issues that are unique to small-market (which does not necessarily mean small-town) journalism. Quantitative and qualitative methods are equally welcomed, as are attempts at mixed methodology. Theoretical groundings are appreciated. Only serious and complete research-based studies will be considered - please do not submit opinion essays, incomplete pilot studies, literature reviews, or other incomplete or unscholarly works.

Papers should be a maximum of 7,500 words long (about 25 pages, double-spaced) and should include an abstract no longer than 75 words. Please provide a running title on each page. Manuscripts must be prepared for blind review, with any language that identifies the authors or the authors' institutions removed. (Biographical and contact information for authors will be associated with the paper through the electronic submittal process all research competitions will be using this year.)

Papers must meet the guidelines of the Uniform Paper Call of AEJMC. Details may be found at http://www.aejmc.org/_events/convention/papercall/uniform_call.php

For more information, contact COMJIG research chair Jack Rosenberry via e-mail (jrosenberry@sjfc.edu) or telephone (585-385-8206).