Lux et Fides, Taylor University’s journal for undergraduate Christian scholars, is welcoming submissions for their second publication.
Lux et Fides’ website stated that the journal aims to spotlight student research. Lux et Fides does not accept fictional works, poetry, or artwork. All Taylor undergraduate students are eligible to submit, and it is required that the students completed their work while enrolled in the university.
The journal accepts submissions on a rolling basis, making articles available throughout the year. The annual issue is released in May.
If a student is interested in this opportunity, he or she first needs to submit their manuscript through the Pillars online submission form. From there, the student’s manuscript enters a review process conducted by the journal’s Editorial Board alongside other reviewers who are professionals in the discipline. A double-blind faculty review process is utilized.
While it varies with each manuscript, Lux et Fides’ website says the author can expect the whole process to take 2-3 months.
Kris Johnson, Lux et Fides managing editor, said the journal provides a great opportunity for students. Johnson is also director of the Office of Sponsored Programs that oversees the TU Institutional Review Board (IRB).
“They can learn what it’s like to publish in an academic setting,” Johnson said. “It brings publications from across campus together in a single space, so it’s not siloed by department. We can see some of the really cool stuff that our students are working on.”
The young journal received great feedback following its first publication. Johnson said the articles were downloaded from 71 different countries. There were approximately 1,696 downloads from nearly 200 different institutions.
In addition to global recognition, Johnson said Lux et Fides allows Taylor students to recognize the amazing work being done by their peers within the campus, which she thinks is just as meaningful.
The Kinesiology Department is particularly active in the publishing industry.
Brandon Dykstra, department co-chair and assistant professor of kinesiology, frequently works with his students to design studies and conduct research. He said aspects of the publication process, especially the review and critique components, are edifying for students. If students succeed in publishing their work, Dykstra said it could be a great addition to a resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
Dykstra has two pieces of advice for students aspiring to publish their research.
“One, you can do it,” Dykstra said. “Two, you can’t just wing it. It still takes time, preparation and energy.”
As a journal that publishes research, Lux et Fides’ process incorporates the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The government requires institutions conducting human research to have this committee.
Johnson said the goal of IRB is to protect the people participating in research.
The IRB process consists of submitting consent forms and certifications and is done before someone starts their research project. Students wishing to publish research involving human subjects cannot do so without going through the IRB.
The IRB can be the reason why certain research projects do not get approved. Jeff Groeling, Communication Department chair, has experienced this.
“I have some good research that’s being done in my classes that’s never going to see the light of day because we don’t have IRB approval,” Groeling said.
Johnson agreed it can be disappointing when someone is hindered from publishing due to the IRB not approving. That is why she recommends that people go through IRB if they have even the slightest notion that they might want to publish their work.
She said most people spend 30 minutes to an hour filling out the required forms, and Taylor has an efficient IRB review process that usually takes around two weeks.
“Maybe that sounds like a lot, but in the grand scheme of conducting research, you’d rather spend an hour on the front end and get to use your data publicly,” Johnson said.
Johnson encourages students to not let the process deter them from submitting their work.
More information about Lux et Fides can be found on their website: https://pillars.taylor.edu/luxetfidesjournal/
