Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chew Kean Ho 2nd Issue Descriptive Review For Research Paper Format
Chew Kean Ho 2nd Issue Descriptive Review For Research Paper Format
net/publication/333616832
CITATIONS READS
0 19,534
1 author:
Kean Ho Chew
ZORALab Enterprise
16 PUBLICATIONS 5 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:
All content following this page was uploaded by Kean Ho Chew on 12 June 2019.
1
Otherwise, the efforts can be wasteful if the paper is Hence, we need to study and generate a form of
either rejected for re-write/format compliance or metrics to measure the format quality based on:
rejected completely.
1. Objective
Hence, we need to find out these known format and 2. perspective management
learn their reasoning behind each of them. Then, we
can adopt and modify over the unified format Afterall, if the publisher does not accepts the paper, it
produced from this paper. would not capture the intended audience as well.
2
processes. This provides an outcome end-in-mind for Trustworthy publishers however, is the genuine
a research paper. publishers that are deeply committed to quality
knowledge transfer with proper quality control
The last part would be reviewing the referencing and processes[13].
bibliography practices in research paper. This is to
ensure that I understand the existing practices for Researchers should always reach out to trustworthy
respecting intellectual properties rights and how to publishers to avoid losing not only efforts by paper
form a references list or bibliography across multiple disappearance, receiving sub-par or no peer review,
styles. making the paper hard to find, as well as monetary
values as well[13][16][17]. There are facilities like Think,
3.1. Paper Purposes Check, Submit[13][14], and List of Predatory
Journals[15] for researchers to check a chosen
Research paper’s purposes are:
publisher’s integrity.
1. to present a researcher’s research efforts to
Based on the data above, I learnt that while
his/her peers[9][10],
abstracting a particular paper format from a publisher,
2. to archive the efforts into a repository[9][10],
I need to review the publisher’s integrity and discards
3. to keep the researcher focus to the research
predatory publishers’ version. It is better to establish
objectives[9][11], and
obscurity with these publishers to add additional
4. to give perspective of a different approach
thinking triggers for the research writer.
to a research problem[10].
The target audience is broad and wide but primarily 3.2.2. Publishing Process
for other peer researchers[10]. Publishing a research paper for a publisher is specific
to the publisher itself. Each publishers has its own
Based on the purpose and target audiences data, I process to comply. However, from the writer’s they
confirmed that the research paper format must are generally similar steps. Figure 3.2.2-1 illustrates
comply to the original research paper’s main and the process flow in the graphical manner.
other purposes, serving the specific target audience.
Otherwise, it is useless.
3.2. Publishers
Publishers’ role is to print, to distribute, to archive,
and to publish the research paper written by the
researchers[12]. They help the researcher to gain
scientific visibility, wider audiences, via their
respective publication channels like journals,
conferences, etc.
1. Trustworthy[13]
2. Predatory[13][16][17]
3
The first step is to perform self-check over the Based on the general publication process, the unified
original work before considering publishing[18][19]. paper format should be disrupting the existing
The process should not be rushed[18], and must be process flow. In fact, the objective of the unified
proactively re-read and be churned iteratively at format is to reduce the reformatting efforts for
different places and time to reduce shortcomings in publisher’s format compliance.
the manuscript[17]. Also, the writer can consider
individual peer reviews among colleague to 3.3. Referencing
proofread the manuscript[17].
This section studies the existing paper referencing
Upon completion, the next step is to perform a mechanism in the academic industry. All research
publication outlet search[18]. This step is to search for papers require proper referencing to avoid
an appropriate publicatio channel (e.g. journal) from plagiarisms or copyright infringement. It is all about
a trustworthy publisher[18]. This is also the step where respecting copyrights among each others in
research make use of facilities like Think, Check, academic researches.
Submit[13][14], and List of Predatory Journals[15] from
previous subsection to reduce the risk of engaging 3.3.1. Purposes
with a predatory publisher. Referencing primary purpose is to give credits,
contribution acknowledgement, respecting original
The next step is to query the paper guidelines from authors’ intellectual properties rights, and to
the publishers[18][19]. Here, the writer performs the appreciate efforts done by others[21][22][23].
necessary format editing[18][19] in order to comply
with the publisher’s requirements. Also, the writer Referencing allows a researcher to provide other
can improve the title and the abstract to make a good researchers’ efforts as exhibits evidences in his/her
first impression to the publisher[18]. The abstract paper without copyright infringement and
should have the overall contents from aim and scope plagiarism[21][22][23]. This is useful for demonstrating
of the study, key problems and theory, methods used, the breath of the research, provides stronger
data set, key findings, limitation and implications of argument points, showing the information integrity
the research[18]. (source determination), and allow readers to verify
the information[22][23].
Once done, the next step is to submit the
manuscript[18][19][20]. It is good practice to submit a 3.3.2. Referencing Styles
cover letter to present the worthiness for the
publisher to review the writer’s manuscript[18]. It is There are many referencing styles depending on
worth noted that the writer must submit the paper to location and the university or publication practices.
only 1 publisher at a time[19]. After the submission, if There are:
the manuscript is worth reading, the publisher’s
editors trigger the peer-review automatically. 1. Chicago Turabian Style[24]
2. Harvard Referencing Style[28]
The next step is to work with the editors to revise the 3. Modern Language Association Style[25]
manuscripts upto their quality standards[18][19][20]. 4. American Psychological Association
This step is iterative until the required quality is Style[26]
achieved[18][19]. The outcome of this step can be either 5. IEEE Style[27]
accepted or rejected[19]. If the manuscript is rejected,
the writer can either rework the entire manuscript Each styles has their pros and cons and has its own
into a fresh version and start over again with the techniques and influences across the research papers.
same publisher[19] or approach the next publisher. However, they are all arranged in a single, unified list
Either way, the process restarts itself from the of referencing source components; the only
beginning. difference is the way of writing the
references[24][25][26][27][28].
If the manuscript is accepted, it will undergo one
final review with the writer before copyedited into Generally speaking, all referencing styles wants to
the publication. Once done, the process ended achieve the same goal in their own way: to leave a
successfully[18][19][20]. trail of evidence for reader to verify the
4
information[21][24][25][26][27][28]. Hence, there must be a Psychological Association Style has the pattern
common pattern among them, in each styles. structure shown in Figure 3.3.2-5[26], and IEEE Style
has the pattern structure shown in Figure 3.3.2-6[26].
All of them has 2 components:
Hence, I abstracted each of the listed referencing Figure 3.3.2-4 - Modern Language Association Style
styles. Chicago Style has the pattern structure shown Reference Pattern
in Figure 3.3.2-2 [24][29], Harvard Referencing Style
has the pattern structure shown in Figure 3.3.2-3[28],
Modern Language Association Style has the pattern
structure shown in Figure 3.3.2-4[25][30], American
5
3.3.3. Source Components
There are many sources of information available for
Inline Citation: referencing. Each of them is written in its own
([Last name of each authors] [Published Year], manners. Here are the list of known sources
[Page Number]) consolidated from all the listed
styles[21][24][25][26][27][28]:
Reference Body:
[Last Name], [First Name], ([Published Year / Last 1. A book in print
Modified Date]), “[Title]”, [Collection Name], 2. A book in electronics form (ebooks)
[Series Name], [Volume ID / Version ID], [Issue 3. A book chapter
Number], [DOI Number], [Pages / Video Start Time 4. An article in print journal
/ Audio Start Time], [Publisher Name], [Accessed 5. An article in electronic journal
Date], [Source URL Location] 6. An article in print
7. An article in electronics form
Figure 3.3.2-5 - American Psychological Association 8. A conference paper in print
Style Reference Pattern 9. A conference paper in electronics form
10. A conference proceedings
Inline Citation: 11. A technical report
12. A patent
[Reference ID] 13. A standard
14. A thesis in print
Reference Body: 15. A thesis in electronics form
16. A website
[[Reference ID]] [Last Name], [First Name], 17. An email
([Published Year / Last Modified Date]), “[Title]”, 18. A mailing list
[Collection Name], [Series Name], [Volume ID / 19. An audio recording in physical form
Version ID], [Issue Number], [DOI Number], [Pages 20. An audio recording in electronic form
/ Video Start Time / Audio Start Time], [Publisher 21. A video recording in physical form
Name], [Accessed Date], [Source URL Location] 22. A video recording in electronic form
23. An embedded audio/video recording in a
Figure 3.3.2-6 - IEEE Style Reference Pattern website
24. Film
Notice that Figure 3.3.2-2 to Figure 3.3.2-5, we have 25. Photograph
a unified version of reference body pattern shown in 26. Artwork (like art on physical canvas)
Figure 3.3.2-7. The inline citation however, must 27. Electronics Artwork (like from website)
comply the the respective styles. 28. Database
7
4.1.3. Writing Practices and Tips 5. Comprehensive, clear, and attainable
Each structure components’ has its own way of For building a good literature reviews, the content
formulation. Many researchers and style handbooks should[36]:
offer their respective writing recommendations.
1. Provides context for your proposed research
For formulating title, a great title is straight to the 2. Demonstrates why the topic is important by
point capturing the main idea of the writings, providing analysis data, identify gaps, and
compact, and unwieldy[1][35][36]. It is self-explanatory facilitate understanding foundation.
and should not go more than 15 words[36]. It is at best 3. Clarifies relationship between the
to avoid words without purposes, quotations, understanding foundation with the current
jargons, and uncommon acronyms[36]. research.
4. Be defined by a guided concept.
As for abstract, it is the sales pitch of the paper[36]. Its
goal is to provide buy-in reasons for reader to read There are some guidelines for literature reviews[37]:
the paper[1][36], which summaries the entire paper in
less than 200 words[1]. Normally, the context of an 1. Be convincing and data driven approach
abstract should have[36]: like using evidences.
2. Be analytical, concise, focus, and balance.
1. The overall context 3. Avoid reinventing the wheel.
2. The problem of significance 4. Cite precisely and avoid over-citing.
3. Research objective 5. Ensure the literatures are up-to-date and
4. Overall approach relevant.
5. Expected contribution of knowledge
6. Summary of outcome With these practices and tips, we can formulate the
7. Brief conclusion paper structure closely based on these insights.
8
section and use unobstructive indicator to the Emphasis in normal paragraph should use italic style,
citation. The reader knows where to find the sources; complying to the native English convention instead
the writer can write freely. Also, it is much easier to of bold. As for title or headers, the emphasis given to
switch from reference indicator to old English them should be bolded instead. My rationale for this
indicator instead of the other way round. is to maintain the native English convention,
allowing writers and readers to quickly adopt to the
As for the referencing pattern, I suggest the use of the common writing style.
unified pattern, since it is applicable across different
styles. This yielded the final reference pattern shown 5.3. Paper Structure
in Figure 5.1-1. Additionally, the writer should keep
the pattern consistent (e.g. if one is using full name, There should not be any differences from the
all should comply to full name instead of family conventional research paper structure. The rationale
name, last name arrangement). The rationale is that is not to reinvent the wheel when it comes to paper
keeping consistency allows easier alteration across a structure and facilitate the conventional
large reference list. understanding.
6. Conclusion
Inline Citation:
Research paper format is not as intimidating as I
[Reference ID] initially thought. Each publishers has its own
formatting requirements and all the researcher should
Reference Body: do is always request and comply to them. To prepare
the paper with minimum formatting changes, a little
[[Reference ID]] [FAMILY NAME, GIVEN NAME /
research effort is required.
FULL NAME], ([Published Year / Last Modified
Date]), “[Title]”, [Collection Name], [Series Referencing and citation in various research paper
Name], [Volume ID / Version ID], [Issue Number], styles are unified under a single pattern. The
[DOI Number], [Pages / Video Start Time / Audio researcher has to perform a good understanding
Start Time], [Publisher], [Accessed Date], [Source about various types of referencing approach in order
URL Location] to comprehend the unified pattern. However,
although the reference is unified, the inline citation
Figure 5.1-1 - Unified Reference Pattern is not. The writer must refer to the publisher’s
requirement and alters accordingly. In my discussion,
5.2. Design I recommend the use of IEEE inline citation as it
facilitates a much simpler multi-sources citation.
As for design, I suggest the use of Times New Roman
font only, keeping the font at size 10 points for Font across multiple styles and formatting should
normal paragraphs while 12 points for all 3 headers stick to Times New Romans, 10 or 12 points
levels. All headers should have numeric numbering. depending on the publisher’s requirement. In my
discussion, I suggest keeping every text to 10 points,
My rationale is that keeping a single font makes the
which headers complying to numeric numbering, set
document extremely simple and straightforward. The
with 12 points font size, bolded style.
reason behind using the same design across different
level of headers is that we’re using numeric As for illustrations, the title indexing and text should
numbering to indicate the level already. There is no be at the bottom of the illustration except table,
point making those headers overly fancy. which should be at the top.
The table should retains its title and numbering Lastly, the paper structure largely depends on the
position, which is on top of the illustrations. As for paper’s objective. Hence, the writer should structure
the rest of the illustration types, the title and the paper accordingly instead of following a single
numbering is at the bottom. That leaves the only structure blindly.
editing efforts to font changes. My rationale is to
ensure all illustrations are complying to all 7. License
publication requirements.
This paper is licensed under:
9
CC-BY https://wp.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Writing
-Research-Paper-Introductions.pdf
This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and [12] AVISHAG GORDON, 2016, “Why to publish a research
build upon your work, even commercially, as long as paper”, researchgate.net, viewed May 30, 2019,
available at:
they credit you for the original creation. This is the
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_to_publish_a_res
most accommodating of licenses offered. earch_paper
Recommended for maximum dissemination and use
[13] SACHA BOUCHERIE, 2018, “Predatory vs.
of licensed materials. Trustworthy journals: What do they mean for integrity
of science?”, Elsevier Connect, Elsevier, viewed May 30,
8. References 2019, available at:
https://www.elsevier.com/connect/predatory-vs-trustwort
[1] MARTYN SHUTTLEWORTH, 2008, “Research Paper hy-journals-what-do-they-mean-for-the-integrity-of-scie
Outline”, Research Paper, Explorable.com, viewed May nce
30, 2019, available at:
https://explorable.com/research-paper-outline [14] ALPSP, DOAJ, INASP, ISSN, LIBER, OASPA, STM,
UKSG ET. AL., 2019, “Think Check Submit”,
[2] MARTYN SHUTTLEWORTH, 2018, “Research Paper thinkchecksubmit.org, viewed May 30, 2019, available
Format”, Research Paper, Explorable.com, viewed May at: https://thinkchecksubmit.org/
30, 2019, available at:
https://explorable.com/research-paper-format [15] STOP PREDATORY JOURNALS, n.d., “List of
Predatory Jornuals”, predatoryjournals.com, viewed
[3] MICHAEL SHELL, 2015, “How to Use the IEEEtran May 30, 2019, available at:
LATEX Class”, Journal of LATEX CLASS FILES , Vol. https://predatoryjournals.com/publishers/#I
14, No. 8, IEEETrans, viewed May 30, 2019, available
at: [16] JEFFERSON HOUSE OF SYDNEY MEDICAL
https://mirror.unpad.ac.id/ctan/macros/latex/contrib/IEE COLLEGE, 2018, “Predatory Publishing”,
Etran/IEEEtran_HOWTO.pdf jefferson.libguides.com, viewed May 30, 2019, available
at: https://jefferson.libguides.com/predatorypublishing
[4] TYPESET, 2018, “Default Template for Elsevier articles
- Instant Formatting Template”, typeset.io, viewed May [17] MEGAN O’DONNELL, 2018, “Understanding
30, 2019, available at: https://typeset.io/t/about/ Predatory Publishers - What is a predatory publisher?”,
Iowa State University Library Guides, viewed May 30,
[5] DANN ALBRIGHT, 2018, “What is the LaTeX 2019, available at:
Document Format and How to Use It”, MakeUseOf.com, https://jefferson.libguides.com/predatorypublishing
viewed May 30, 2019, available at:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-latex-document/ [18] AJIAZ A. SHAIKH, 2016, “7 Steps to Publishing in a
Scientific Journal”, Elsevier Connect, viewed May 30,
[6] MICROSOFT, 2019, “Microsoft Office | Productivity 2019, available at:
Tools for Home & Office”, office.com, viewed May 30, https://www.elsevier.com/connect/7-steps-to-publishing-i
2019, available at: n-a-scientific-journal
https://library.ku.ac.ke/wp-content/downloads/2011/08/B
ookboon/Office-programs/microsoft-office-word.pdf [19] AIJR PUBLISHER, 2019, “Paper Publishing Process”,
AijR Publisher, viewed May 30, 2019, available at:
[7] GOOGLE LLC., 2019, “Google Docs - Free for Home https://www.aijr.in/paper-publishing-process/
and Personal Use”, google.com, viewed May 30, 2019,
available at: https://www.google.com/docs/about/ [20] EMERALD PUBLISHING LIMITED, 2019, “The
submission & publishing process”, Emerald Publishing
[8] THE DOCUMENT FOUNDATION, 2019, “Home | Limited, viewed May 30, 2019, available at:
LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Fun Project - Fantastic http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/authors/guides/
People”, libreoffice.org, viewed May 30, 2019, available write/book_chapter.htm?part=2
at: https://www.libreoffice.org/
[21] UNSW SYDNEY, 2013, “Why is Referencing
[9] UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, n.d., “Problem Important”, University of New South Wales, viewed May
Statement, Purpose & Objectives”, Research Process - 31, 2019, available at:
SSHRC Tips, viewed May 30, 2019, available at https://student.unsw.edu.au/why-referencing-important
https://vpresearch.usask.ca/documents/research-process/r
esearch-facilitation/sshrc-tips/Purpose_and_Objectives.p [22] CQUNIVERSITY, n.d., “Why is Referencing
df Important?”, CQUniversity Australia, viewed May 31,
2019, available at:
[10] SHER SINGH BHAKAR, TARIKA SINGH SIKARWAR, https://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/services-and-facilitie
2014, “Handbook for Writing Paper”, Bharti s/referencing/why-is-referencing-important
Publications: New Delhi, ISBN: 9789381212516,
viewed May 30, 2019, available at: [23] UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, 2019, “Referencing
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260174865_Ha Explained - Why and when to reference”, University of
ndbook_for_Writing_Research_Paper Leeds, viewed May 31, 2019, available at:
https://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/1402/referencing/47/refer
[11] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, encing_explained
2015, “Writing Research Paper Introductions”,
University of California Los Angeles, viewed May 30, [24] UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 2019, “What is
2019, available at: Chicago Style”, University of Pittsburgh, viewed May
10
View publication stats
31, 2019, available at: viewed May 31, 2019, available at:
https://pitt.libguides.com/c.php?g=12108&p=64732 https://writemyessay4me.org/blog/research-paper
[25] UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 2019, “What is MLA [32] ELSEVIER, 2019, “Guides for Authors - Computers &
Style”, University of Pittsburgh, viewed May 31, 2019, Geoscience”, Elsevier, viewed May 31, 2019, available
available at: at:
https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp/mla8thedition https://www.elsevier.com/__data/promis_misc/cageogfas
ep.pdf
[26] UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 2019, “What is APA
Style”, University of Pittsburgh, viewed May 31, 2019, [33] OSKAR BLAKSTAD, 2019, “Write a Research Paper - A
available at: Guide on How to Write Academic Papers”,
https://pitt.libguides.com/c.php?g=12108&p=64730 explorable.com, viewed May 31, 2019, available at:
https://explorable.com/write-a-research-paper
[27] UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 2019, “What is IEEE
Style”, University of Pittsburgh, viewed May 31, 2019, [34] IEEE, n.d., “Sample Paper for A4 Page Size”, Faculdade
available at: https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp/ieee de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal,
viewed May 31, 2019, available at:
[28] UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, 2015, “Harvard
https://paginas.fe.up.pt/~jca/wrsc/templates/IEEE-Confer
Referencing: Getting Started with Harvard referencing”,
ence-A4-format.pdf
University of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, viewed
May 31, 2019, available at: [35] EASYBIB, 2018, “EasyBib Guide to Citing and Writing
http://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/harvard/getting-started-wit in APA Format”, viewed May 31, 2019, available at:
h-harvard-referencing http://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/apa-form
at/
[29] EASYBIB, 2018, “Chicago Turabian - Quick Guide”,
EasyBib - a Chegg Service, easybib.com, viewed May [36] UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, “First
31, 2019, available at: Impressions: Title, summaries, and opening paragraphs”,
http://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/chicago-t SSHRC Tips Series, Vol. 1, University of Saskatchewan,
urabian/quick-guide/ viewed May 31, 2019, available at:
https://vpresearch.usask.ca/documents/research-process/r
[30] CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, 2012, “MLA
esearch-facilitation/sshrc-tips/First_Impressions.pdf
Citation Style”, Cornell University Library PSEC
Documentation Working Group, viewed 31 May 2019, [37] UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, “Effective
available at: Literature Reviews”, SSHRC Tips Series, Vol. 1,
https://www.library.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/mla_sty University of Saskatchewan, viewed May 31, 2019,
le_revised.pdf available at:
https://vpresearch.usask.ca/documents/research-process/r
[31] WRITEMEESSAY4ME.ORG, 2019, “How to Write a
esearch-facilitation/sshrc-tips/Effective_Literature_Revie
Good Research Paper Successfully and Fast?”, Blog -
ws.pdf
Research Paper Page Format, writemyessay4me.org,
11