Structure varies to some extent, review of previous work can vary, key elements always the same: Title & Author information Abstract Keywords Introduction Related work Contribution to knowledge Conclusions Evaluation and future work Acknowledgements References
Learning
Learning and development resources and notes.
The Process
Basic cycle is as follows: Read some papers Write literature review Do research Write it up Submit to journal or conference Peer review Acceptance & publication, or rejection (90% in some cases – revise & resubmit) Others read the paper Repeat process
Who Publishes Academic Papers?
Many organisations Learned societies Publishing companies
Who Writes Academic Papers?
Academics Industrial researchers Students Not usually degree students Masters students required to “contribute significantly to the knowledge of mankind” Additionally, anyone can write an academic paper. Peer review process is double-blind therefore author does not need to be expert in subject area. Reviewer does not need to know paper is Continue Reading
What are Academic Papers for?
Papers validate contributions to knowledge. Reviewed: Subject experts peer review. Published with others in area checking it. Scrutinised by other researchers once in public domain. Tested again and again by many people. Paper can stand up to tests, be modified or thrown out. Papers disseminate knowledge, e.g. discover and share Continue Reading
What is an Academic Paper?
Document that presents research work to the world. Formal document – conforms to style and structure guidelines. Published in credible domain or forum i.e. conference or journal.
Hierarchy of Credibility
Hierarchy of credibility: Journals Conferences Academic books Manufacturer’s white papers & internally published papers Wikipedia/Webpodia Web blogs Manufacturer’s white papers may not be considered as credible as journals or conference papers as there will be a degree of bias toward their own service or product. The white paper will also Continue Reading
Conferences
Academic conference papers and presentations represent current position – point research has reached. Not usually completed work but tentative conclusions are drawn based on results obtained so far, Level of review not necessarily as high as journal.
Journals
Peer-reviewed periodical. Publishes work related to particular academic discipline. Editor normally has other professional responsibilities such as teaching at university. They collate substantial pieces of research work, present large bodies of evidence and represent significant contributions to knowledge.
Peer review
Peer review is the fundamental principle governing credibility and publication of a scientific paper. Peers will be experts in the field. Submitted papers are sent for critical evaluation and review by these experts. They check that published work has been reviewed properly and that current state of knowledge has been taken Continue Reading