A One-Day Workshop on “Techniques and Practices in Research Writing and Publication,” was organized by the Internal Quality Assessment Committee (IQAC), Baptist College, Kohima. The event aimed to enhance the research writing skills of faculty, with a particular focus on the techniques and practices essential for formulating clear research questions and producing credible, impactful academic work.
The workshop comprised of two main sessions, both conducted by Professor Jangkhomang Guite, Head, Department of History and Archaeology, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus.
The programme commenced with a prayer by Ms. Tabitha, Assistant Professor, Department of History, followed by a welcome address and an introduction to the workshop by Dr. Sentnaro, Coordinator, IQAC, Baptist College.
Session I: Basic Techniques and Practices in Research Writing
In the first session, Professor Guite highlighted the core techniques of research writing. He emphasized planning and organization, writing with clarity and precision, the effective use of evidence to support claims, and the importance of revision, editing, citation, and referencing. He stressed the need for maintaining neutrality and unbiased perspectives in research while respecting cultural contexts and indigenous knowledge. The issue of plagiarism was also addressed, with Professor Guite cautioning that academic dishonesty undermines both the learning process and scholarly credibility.
Session II: Approaches and Concerns in Academic Publishing
The second session, titled Approaches and Concerns in Academic Publishing, urged participants to explore under-researched topics by engaging with books, archives, and published studies. Professor Guite underscored the importance of originality in meaningful research and provided a comprehensive overview of the publishing process—selecting appropriate journals, preparing manuscripts, undergoing peer review, and adhering to ethical standards.
The session also discussed publication ethics, including authorship, data integrity, and different forms of plagiarism (direct, mosaic, self, and accidental). Professor Guite outlined common causes of rejection, such as poor organization, insufficient evidence, and grammatical errors, and encouraged participants to publish in reputable journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or UGC CARE.
A major concern highlighted was the increasing pressure on academics to publish, often referred to as the “publish or perish” culture. Professor Guite further introduced the open-access movement, explaining the diamond, gold, and green models, and encouraged scholars to share their work widely to enhance visibility and impact.
The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Seyieslie Vüprü, Assistant Professor and Assistant Coordinator, IQAC, Baptist College. The sessions were moderated by Ms. Süvilü Venuh, Assistant Coordinator, IQAC, Baptist College, and Dr. Visetonu Natso, Assistant Professor, Department of History.
