Editorial
By the Managing Editor Dr Iacovos Psaltis
It is with great pleasure that we launch the Work Based Learning e-Journal, the general aim of which is to disseminate ideas about work-based learning to professional and academic communities internationally. The journal will publish peer-reviewed quality articles rapidly and make them freely available worldwide. Academic articles that focus on work and learning as a researched activity or work based learning as an academic award are double blind peer reviewed by academics in the field. Articles that focus on work-based projects are reviewed by one academic and a senior professional working in the same sphere as the author/s.
The Work Based Learning e-Journal provides open access to all readers and is freely accessible through the internet for immediate worldwide access to the full text of articles, serving the best interests of academic and professional communities. There is no subscription fee and interested readers can read, download, and/or print any article at no cost. Furthermore, authors who publish in the journal can choose to retain the copyright of their article. However, the Work Based Learning e-Journal is no different from traditional subscription-based scholarly journals and undergoes the same peer-review and quality control procedures.
The journal will publish original articles of high quality in any area of knowledge, practice and learning relating to work defined in its broadest terms, including discussions and case studies. It recognises knowledge that draws on the spheres of the professional, the academic and the experiential, focusing upon the multi-dimensional, applied knowledge needed in differing work contexts.
A range of perspectives is sought from practitioners and decision-makers both inside and outside education institutions. The journal provides an opportunity for further debate on how knowledge impacts upon and is constructed and used by individuals and groups in the voluntary, community, private and public sectors.
The values, methods, knowledge claims and constructions of people who are engaged in intellectual pursuits concerning practice are sought. For example, interests in knowledge management in organisations; the individual's opportunity for learning and self- development that can, in turn inform practice; a professional praxis in a 'real' work situation that provides the possibility of learning through a reflective and analytic interrogation of practice; issues and theories associated with practice-based learning.
The journal provides a forum for work-based and professional studies students, academic staff and researchers of work and learning to publish their work. Joint papers written by students and advisors will be welcome.
Two modes of publication will be introduced:
1. Peer-reviewed papers within which there are two categories: · WBL as a field and mode of study · Work Based Projects
2. Non-refereed work in progress within which there are three categories: · WBL as a field and mode of study · Work Based Projects · Summaries of Doctorate Candidates' work-based projects
There are also sections for Book and Article Reviews and for News and Events.
