The Joy of Writing an article
Jenny de SonnevilleCiS
21 February 2012
Discuss in small groups
Which points did you find useful in “ The Joy of writing a paper?”
What are the differences between the articles which you write and the articles described in “The Joy of writing a paper?”
One of the group will make notes on the main points in the discussionand report back.
Prof George Whitesands:
Do not do the research and then write the paper
USE THE WRITING TO MANAGE THE RESEARCH.
The authors
Who am I writing with / Who are my co-authors?
What are the implications?
What does the author of the article say is the most common reason for rejection of a paper?
There is a discrepancy between the three vital elements
Hypothesis or research question Design of the study Analysis
context
rationale
research question
material and methods
results
implications
Structure
discussion
Planning
How do YOU plan?
What is your strategy?
Roadmap for writing a paper
Select Journal
Read instructions for Authors
Time-schedule
Make (sub)headings (temporary) Title
Methods
Results
Discussion
Introduction
ReferencesAbstract
Revise process
Show to colleagues Present at meeting
Gaining focus Choose where you want to publish?
Create the figures
Write the methods
The journal
Do you have a clear idea of which journal you are aiming for?
Before you submit your paper, read the Guide for Authors.
Make sure that the formatting, length, references, figures etc. all conform to the specific requirements of the journal to which you are submitting.
Some advice from Prof. Robert Houze University of Washington
‘Don’t write any words until you’ve selected your figures.
Once you’ve selected your figures, write notes as if you are giving a lecture. Say to yourself: “The next slide shows: ….” Fill in the blank and go on to the next slide/figure. Write the notes as if you are talking to somebody who is interested in your work.
Then convert the notes to paragraphs describing the figures.’
Figures and tables
Use tables and figures to organise large amounts of data
Figures and tables should be easy to understand without the reader having to refer to the text.
Results given in a table should not be described in full in the text.
Methods : Aim
What is the aim of this section?
To give an accurate and complete description of how the research was carried out.
Methods: what do you need to include? Materials Design Methods of measurement Analysis
Results: does this apply to your work?
Construct tables and figures first Primary outcomes first, secondary outcomes later Main findings must stand out Present results in a logical manner Do not repeat Unexpected results last
Presenting your results gives your reader the evidence.
He can then become involved in the research process
Discussion: the essence of the paper
What elements should it contain?
What does Peter Sterk say in the article?
What about the articles which you write?
Matthew Peacock suggests using 2 or more of these moves:
Information move (giving background about theory /research aims /methodology)
Findings (with or without references to graphs or tables)
Expected or unexpected outcomes (comment on whether the result is expected or not)
Reference to previous research
Explanation (reasons for expected or unexpected results)
Claim [contribution to research (sometimes with recommendations for action)
Limitations
Recommendation (suggestions for future research).
“Communicative moves in the discussion section of research articles.
Your discussion will relate back to your introduction.
Introduction General background
Specific focus Statement of the problem
Aim of study Hypothesis or research question (What you found)
Read
Prof. John Swales’s description of the moves in the Introduction.
Page 29 and 30 of the workbook.
Exercise Read the article Analyse what the writer is doing
first in the different paragraphs then in the sentences in the paragraphs.
Discuss in groups of three.