Developing scholarship in athletic training.

OBJECTIVE: To outline the essential elements of scholarship, identify its role in the development of the athletic training profession, and encourage athletic trainers to increase scholarly activities.
BACKGROUND: In the process of writing 2 manuscripts for the Journal of Athletic Training about how to write journal manuscripts, we felt something needed to be said concerning why one should write such manuscripts and how individual manuscripts should tie together to advance knowledge. This led us to search the scientific literature for information concerning scholarship and its attainment. Finding no comprehensive discussion on the topic, we then began to investigate components of scholarship and activities that lead to its attainment. DESCRIPTION: Scholarship, knowledge, truth, and theory are defined. The attributes or characteristics of a scholar delineated and discussed include seeking to establish truth and develop new knowledge, developing and refining theory, being focused in one's work, being honest about one's work, communicating ideas and stirring thinking, being open minded, and recognizing the difference between scholarship and pseudoscholarship. It is important to promote scholarship among undergraduate and graduate students; numerous suggestions are outlined. APPLICATION: Scholarship is essential to our survival as a profession. The guidelines presented here will help individuals examine and improve their scholarship.