By John Rivas
Special to The Star
In the academic world, works can be classified mainly into two types: creative publications and investigative publications. One is not more important than the other. Both have different purposes, approaches and formats, but can complement each other and contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge and culture.
Creative publishing refers to the production and dissemination of works that have an artistic and literary focus. This type of publication includes poetry, narrative, creative essays, dramaturgy and visual art, among others.
The characteristics of creative publishing are:
Artistic Focus: Focuses on self-expression, innovation, and the exploration of new forms and styles.
Varied Format: It can include books, literary magazines, art exhibitions or theatrical performances.
Audience: Generally, it seeks to reach a wide audience, not necessarily specialized.
Evaluation: The quality of the work is valued more for its creativity, originality and ability to evoke an emotional or aesthetic response, rather than for its methodological rigor.
Examples of creative writings or publications include a novel or book of poems, a play or an art exhibition or articles in literary or artistic magazines.
Research publishing focuses on the presentation of academic and scientific research results. This type of publication includes research articles, systematic reviews, case studies and technical reports, among others.
The characteristics of research publishing or writing are:
A Scientific and Academic Approach: These writings use a scientific methodology, with a focus on hypothesis, experimentation, data analysis and conclusion.
Strict Format: It is generally presented in academic journals and scientific conferences, following a standard format that includes introduction, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion.
Audience: Aimed at the academic and scientific community, specialists and advanced students in the field.
Evaluation: It is subjected to a rigorous peer review process, which evaluates the validity, originality and relevance of the work.
Examples of research writing include articles in indexed scientific journals, presentations at academic conferences and academic books.
Although creative and investigative publications have distinct approaches, they are not mutually exclusive and can complement each other in several ways such as:
Interdisciplinarity: Research in the humanities and social sciences often incorporates creative elements to explore and communicate their findings more effectively.
Dissemination of Knowledge: Creative publications can make research results more accessible and attractive to a general audience, expanding their impact.
Methodological Innovation: In fields such as the arts, science can inspire new forms of artistic creation, while creativity can lead to new ways of approaching scientific problems.
In conclusion, both creative and investigative publications are essential in academia, each contributing in a unique way to the development and dissemination of knowledge and culture.
Prof. John Rivas heads the Design Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus.
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