Scientific Papers What is a scientific paper The

Scientific Papers

What is a scientific paper �The first publication of original research results �In a form whereby peers of the author can repeat the research and test the conclusions. �In a journal or other source readily available within the scientific community �Scientific papers are published in peer-reviewed publications

What Happens to Your Article? �Submitted to Editor �Editor’s “assessment” (reject; revise) �Sent to Reviewers �Reviewers reply to Editor �Editor’s decision (accept; reject; revise) �Back to you: revised version and letter �Editor may revert to Reviewers Note: It’s always the Editor who decides

What Does the Editor Look For ? �Originality �What’s new? �Content �Is there enough? �Simplicity �Can it be clearer, shorter?

Where do you publish? �Impact factors Review Period Readership

Elements of a Paper �Abstract �Keywords �Introduction �Methods (Details) �Results �Discussion �Conclusions �Acknowledgements �References

Title �The title is a precise of the contents. It should include specific words to indicate the following: �The topic: the main, general subject you are writing about. �The focus: a detailed narrowing down of the topic into the particular, limited area of your research. �The purpose: it is optional to tell the reader what kind of argumentation to expect.

Examples �Simulation and economic evaluation of natural gas hydrates [NGH] as an alternative to liquefied natural gas [LNG]

Authorship �Who gets authorship? �Any author listed on the paper’s title page should take public responsibility for its content �Some journals require authors to specify exactly their involvement in the manuscript (e. g. , study planning, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing, manuscript editing).

How to list authors �Each listed author should have made an important contribution to the study being reported. �There is no “right way” to list authors. �Method 1 �The first author is the most senior. �The authors are listed in order of importance to the research.

How to list authors (2) �Method 2 �The first author is the one who did the majority of the work. �The authors are listed in order of importance to the research. �The last position is for the most senior author

Abstract �An abstract is a shortened version of the paper written for people who may never read the full version. It needs to be self-explanatory. �It is a brief summary of each of the main sections of the paper. �An abstract appears at the top of the page before the introduction. �A typical abstract is between 100 and 250 words. �It should be typed as a single paragraph (two maximum)

The abstract contains �The principle objectives and scope of the investigation. �Methods employed. �Summary of the main results. �Principle conclusions.

The abstract should not contain �Any information that is not in the paper itself. �Tables and figures. �Citations from other people's work.

Key Words �These are the most important words in your paper that are specifically related to your topic. �They are printed at the end of the abstract

The introduction �A research paper is shorter than a thesis. Its introduction is more precise and to the point. It also contains a brief literature survey. �Most of it is written in the past tense. �An introduction contains : �Purpose of the paper �The nature and scope of the problem investigated �Review of printed literature to orient the reader �Method of investigation, and reason for choosing it, if necessary

Methods and Materials �In this section the researcher cites all the specifics of the work done. �Most of it is written in the past tense. �This sections answers the following questions: - Where? Location of the work, if relevant. - What? What equipment and other materials were used in the research. They need to be thoroughly specified. - How? The procedures and methods used in the research. Every detail should be included especially if the method is new.

Results �This section follows Methods and Materials. �In this section you present the precise data and findings from the research, often using visuals to provide the information. �Written in past tense. �Data may be effectively presented in charts, tables, graphs, diagrams and photographs. They should be accompanied by explanatory text to highlight and interpret significant facts.

Discussion �This section follows Results. �In this section you write about your interpretation of your findings and your evaluation of the research. �In particular, you give your opinion as to whether the work supported and proved your hypothesis, or whether it did not.

Discussion (2) �Present principles, relationships and generalizations shown by the results. �Point out any exceptions or any lack of correlation. �Show your results and interpretations agree (or disagree) with previous published work. �Discuss theoretical implications of your work, as well as any possible practical applications

Conclusions �Points to include in a conclusion: �A restatement of the research problem �A summary of your main points. �Your evaluation of the topic. �Shortcomings of the research. �Suggestion for further investigations or work in the topic. �State your conclusions as clearly as possible. �Conclusion is present tense

Acknowledgement �Who do you acknowledge? �Any individual who gave significant technical help �Financial assistance. �Source of special equipment.

Plagiarism �Plagiarism is using another person's writing as if it was your own. �It is a form of theft. �All academic, scientific, technical and research writing must document all sources used.

Types of Information Requiring a Citation �The exact words of another person �Numerical information that is not common knowledge �Someone’s specific argument, theory, thesis or opinion �Controversial information (if two or more sources disagree).

Types of Information Not Requiring a Citation �Common knowledge/field-specific common knowledge �Information found in dictionaries �Statistics and information that can be easily found in several sources and is not likely to vary from source to source

Evaluating Information Sources �Relevance �Reliability �Reasonableness �do the ideas presented make sense? �are the ideas and information presented in the source material reasonably consistent with the ideas and information presented in other similar sources?

Format of references Reference to a book. �names of author(s). �title of the book, only the first word need to have a capital letter. �edition. �name of the publisher. �city where published. �year of publication. B. Yegnanarayana, "Artificial neural networks", 12 th edition, Prentice-Hall, New Delhi (2006).

Reference to an article from a journal �names of author(s). �title of the paper, only the first word need to have a capital letter. �title of journal. �volume number. �year of publication. �inclusive page numbers. M. J. Nui, R. Munipalli, N. B. Morley and M. A. Abdou, "Validation strategies of HIMAG in interfacial flow computation for fusion applications, " Fusion Eng. & Design, 81 (2006) 1535 – 1541.

Reference to material from the internet �names of author(s), if known �title of the extract. �title of the complete work, if known. �name of producer of online website. �internet address of the quoted material. �date that the site was accessed online �Example : �Kazimi, M. S. , Czerwinski, K. R. , Driscoll, M. J. , Hejzlar, P. , Meyer, J. E. On the Use Of Thorium in Light Water Reactors. (April 1999) (Accessed april 15, 2015)Available at: <http: //hdl. handle. net/1721. 1/75140>

Final check �Make sure of the following: �All paper written with the same font style (no fancy fonts). �Titles are all written in the same style. �Figures, tables, equations, …. numbering is correct. �All illustrations and equations are referred to in text. �Other people’s work is cited inside paper. �References written properly and in correct order. �No mistakes

Assignment �You will be provided with an accepted scientific paper and the layout of “ Journal of Karary University for Engineering and Science (JKUES) “ �Put the paper into the new layout �Prepare a presentation as you are the author

What I usually look at �Fonts types �Font size �Are the figures and/or tables referred to in the text? �Are the references cited in the text? �Are the references written correctly?

Questions ?