An Edited Book: From Reading to Writing and Contributing as a Tourism Researcher

 

Introduction

As a tourism researcher, you might have come across the term "edited book" in your academic journey. An edited book is a compilation of chapters contributed by various authors and edited by one or more editors. It provides an excellent opportunity for scholars to share their research findings, knowledge, and ideas on a specific topic or theme. Edited books are significant in the field of tourism research as they bring together diverse perspectives, theories, and methodologies that can contribute to the advancement of the field. In this blog post, we will discuss what an edited book is, how to write an edited book, and how to contribute a chapter in an edited book.

Understanding an Edited Book

An edited book is a publication that consists of chapters written by different authors on a specific topic or theme. It is typically organized and edited by one or more editors who select the contributors, guide them through the writing process, and ensure the coherence and consistency of the book. Edited books can have a variety of formats, including monographs, handbooks, companions, and anthologies. Each chapter in an edited book can have a different focus, methodology, or theoretical framework, depending on the author's research interest and expertise.

As a tourism researcher, reading an edited book can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of a specific topic or theme. By reading different chapters, you can get a broad perspective on the research questions, methods, and theories used in the field. You can also identify gaps, debates, and future directions for research. Moreover, an edited book can provide you with a platform to network with other scholars, collaborate on research projects, and establish yourself as a tourism expert.

Writing an Edited Book

Writing an edited book is a collaborative process that involves one or more editors and several authors. The process of writing an edited book typically involves the following steps:

• Choosing the topic and theme: The editor(s) identify a topic or theme that is timely, relevant, and significant in the field of tourism research. They also define the scope, purpose, and audience of the book. The topic and theme should be broad enough to attract a diverse group of authors, but also specific enough to ensure coherence and consistency in the book.
• Inviting contributors: The editor(s) invite potential contributors who are experts in the topic or theme of the book. The editor(s) can also accept proposals from interested authors. The contributors can come from different regions, countries, disciplines, or backgrounds to provide diverse perspectives on the topic or theme.
• Writing the proposal: The editor(s) and contributors collaborate on writing the book proposal that outlines the rationale, structure, and content of the book. The proposal includes a description of each chapter, the author's credentials, and the research questions, methods, and findings. The proposal serves as a blueprint for the book and helps the editor(s) and contributors to stay focused and organized throughout the writing process.
• Writing the chapters: Each contributor writes their chapter according to the guidelines and deadlines provided by the editor(s). The chapters should be well-written, well-researched, and well-organized. The contributors should also ensure that their chapter is consistent with the overall theme and purpose of the book. The chapters can be empirical, theoretical, conceptual, or methodological, depending on the author's research interest and expertise.
• Editing and revising: The editor(s) review and edit each chapter for coherence, consistency, and quality. They provide feedback and suggestions to the authors for revising their chapter. The authors revise their chapter according to the editor's feedback and resubmit it for final review. The editing and revising process can be iterative and time-consuming, but it is crucial for ensuring the quality and integrity of the book.
• Publication: Once all the chapters are reviewed and edited, the book is ready for publication. The editor(s) work with the publisher to finalize the layout, design, and distribution of the book. The book can be published in print or digital format, or both, depending on the publisher's preference and the audience's needs.

Writing an edited book requires a significant amount of time, effort, and collaboration among the editor(s) and contributors. However, it can also provide numerous benefits for the authors, such as enhancing their research skills, expanding their network, and establishing their authority in the field. Moreover, writing an edited book can contribute to the advancement of the field by bringing together diverse perspectives, theories, and methodologies that can inform future research and practice. As a tourism researcher, contributing a chapter in an edited book can be an excellent opportunity to showcase your research and collaborate with other scholars on a specific topic or theme.

Contributing a Chapter in an Edited Book

Contributing a chapter in an edited book can be a valuable experience for tourism researchers. It allows them to share their research findings and insights with a broader audience and collaborate with other experts in the field. Here are some tips for contributing a chapter in an edited book:

• Follow the guidelines: The editor(s) of the book will provide guidelines for contributors on the length, format, style, and content of the chapter. It is essential to read and follow these guidelines carefully to ensure that your chapter meets the expectations of the editor(s) and fits with the overall theme and purpose of the book.
• Choose a relevant topic: Choose a topic that is relevant to the theme and scope of the book and aligns with your research interests and expertise. Make sure your topic is original and contributes something new to the existing literature. Avoid topics that have been extensively covered or are too broad or too narrow.
• Conduct thorough research: Conduct thorough research on your topic and review the relevant literature. Your chapter should be based on sound research methods and data analysis. You should also provide a clear and concise research question or hypothesis, a detailed description of your research methodology, and a discussion of your findings.
• Write clearly and concisely: Write your chapter in a clear and concise manner, using simple language and avoiding jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader. Use headings and subheadings to organize your chapter and make it easy to read. Use examples and case studies to illustrate your points and engage the reader.
• Review and revise: Review and revise your chapter several times to ensure that it is well-written, coherent, and error-free. Ask a colleague or mentor to review your chapter and provide feedback on the content, structure, and style. Revise your chapter based on the feedback you receive.

Contributing a chapter in an edited book can be a rewarding experience that enhances your research skills, expands your network, and raises your profile in the field. It can also help you to establish your expertise on a specific topic and contribute to the advancement of the field. Therefore, if you have an opportunity to contribute a chapter in an edited book, take it as a chance to showcase your research and collaborate with other scholars.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, edited books provide a platform for tourism researchers to share their knowledge and expertise with a wider audience. Reading an edited book can help researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of a specific topic and identify new research directions. Writing and contributing a chapter in an edited book can be a valuable experience that enhances their research skills, expands their network, and raises their profile in the field. However, to make the most of this opportunity, researchers must carefully read and follow the guidelines provided by the editor(s), choose a relevant topic, conduct thorough research, write clearly and concisely, and review and revise their chapter.

The process of editing a book can also be a challenging task that requires a significant amount of time and effort. The editor(s) must select an appropriate theme, identify potential contributors, provide guidelines, manage the submission, and review process, and ensure the coherence and consistency of the book. Despite these challenges, editing a book can be a rewarding experience that contributes to the advancement of the field and promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers.

In summary, edited books play an important role in the tourism research community, both as a source of knowledge and as a platform for collaboration and networking. Whether you are a reader, writer, or editor, edited books offer opportunities to engage with a broad range of topics, ideas, and perspectives, and contribute to the development of the field.

 

My Experience in contributing to Edited Books on Tourism Research:

As someone who has contributed to multiple edited books, I can attest to the value of this experience. Over the years, I have published five chapters in the edited books and one in the textbook covering various sub-sectors of tourism. These chapters have given me the opportunity to share my research findings and ideas with a wider audience, as well as to collaborate with other researchers and learn from their perspectives.

Most recently, I am excited to be an Editor in the forthcoming edited book "The Handbook of Regenerative Destinations through Responsible and Creative Tourism," to be published by Emerald Publishing, United Kingdom. This edited book promises to be a groundbreaking contribution to the field of tourism destinations’ regenerations. Additionally, I have submitted a proposal for another edited book on Festival and Event Tourism to an international publisher along with my two international tourism researchers, and look forward to hearing the outcome.

Overall, contributing to edited books has been a valuable part of my academic career, providing opportunities to expand my research skills, share my findings with a wider audience, and collaborate with other researchers in the field. I would encourage anyone with an interest in tourism research to consider contributing to an edited book, either as a writer or an editor, as it can be a rewarding and enriching experience.

 

List of my edited book chapters

(Click on the URL to access the full text or else contact me)

1. Sharma, S. & Dogra, J. (2023). Managing Festivals with Smart Technologies and Their Contribution Towards Destination Promotion. In S. Kulshreshtha (Ed.), Managing Festivals for Destination Marketing and Branding (pp. 76-94). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6356-7.ch005 
   URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369931762_Managing_Festivals_With_Smart_Technologies_and_Their_Contribution_Towards_Destination_Promotion
2. Sharma, S. & Dogra, J. (2022). Inputs for effective marketing of Hospitality in Ranchi. In Bhupesh Kumar, Alok Aswal, Anindita Bharadwaj & Rajnish Kumar Singh, (Ed.), Promotion and Advertising of Leisure Activities for Sustainability of Hospitality (pp. 186-197). Aman Publications, ISBN: 9788182041264. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362861646_Inputs_for_Effective_Marketing_of_Hospitality_in_Ranchi
3. Dogra, J. & Karri, V.R.S. (2022). Nation brand equity: India - soft power supremacy through culture, heritage and tourism. In K. Dinnie (Ed.), Nation Branding: Concepts, Issues, Practice (3rd ed., p.71-72), Routledge, eISBN: 9781003100249. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003100249  URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367205335_Nation_Brand_Equity_India_-_Soft_Power_Supremacy_through_Culture_Heritage_and_Tourism
4. Dogra, J. & Kale, S. S. (2020). Network Analysis of Destination Management Organization Smart Tourism Ecosystem (STE) for E-Branding and Marketing of Tourism Destinations. In Ramos, C. M., Almeida, C. R., & Fernandes, P. O. (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Social Media Applications for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector (pp. 1-16). IGI Global. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-1947-9.ch001 (SCOPUS Indexed)                                                    URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338549482_Network_Analysis_of_Destination_Management_Organization_Smart_Tourism_Ecosystem_STE_for_E-Branding_and_Marketing_of_Tourism_Destinations
5. Farahani, Banafsheh. M. & Dogra, J. (2014). An Interrelational study of achieving peace through tourism. In P S Manhas, D R Gupta & Anil Gupta (Ed.), Strategic Development Policies and Impact Studies of Sustainable, Rural and Community – based Tourism (pp. 127 – 137). ISBN: 9789380607610.   URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235967589_An_Interrelational_study_of_achieving_peace_through_tourism
6. Manhas, P., Ramjit. & Dogra, J. (2011). Expectation and Satisfaction Level of Tourists visiting Heritage Sites and its efficacy to attract Tourist. In S P Bansal, Sandeep Kulshreshtra & Prashant Gautam (Ed.), Tourism for Development – A Managerial Approach (pp. 423 – 442). Kanishka Publishers, ISBN: 9788184573121. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326149343_Hospitality_and_tourism_management_graduates_expectations_Future_implications_for_the_educators

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