Ways of Reporting Research

Reporting Research

• Writing a paper is an essential part of the research process
• Research is not complete until the results have been published
• An accurate, understandable paper is just as important as the research itself

Writing a Thesis or Dissertation

• Collect documents university graduate school departmental policy
• Review model theses and dissertations
• Allow extra time for procedural difficulties

Traditional Vs. Journal Format

• Traditional = Chapter Format Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Literature Review Chapter 3 Method Chapter 4 Results Chapter 5 Discussion

Traditional Vs. Journal Format

• Traditional Format “Steeped in Tradition” Requires Discipline Reinforces the Scientific Method Approach Formally addresses all the steps operational definitions assumptions limitations

Traditional Vs. Journal Format

• Limitations of Traditional Format Much information is required that is not suitable for inclusion in a published article Much revision is needed for publication Considered “archaic” by the authors of your text

Traditional Vs. Journal Format

• Journal Format Body of Paper Suitable for Publication Extra Materials are Included in Appendixes Strongly preferred format by scholars

Journal Format

• Preliminary Materials Title page Acknowledgements Abstract Table of contents List of tables List of figures

Journal Format

• Body of Thesis or Dissertations Introduction Method Results Discussion References

Journal Format

• Appendixes(extra stuff that is found in traditional approach) Extended literature review Extended methods Additional results Other additional materials One page vita

Successful Writing

• Know the Rules and Follow Them Get the Guidelines Poor writing and failure to follow guidelines can result in rejection of your work

Publication Process

• Select an appropriate journal Guidelines for submission are found in each journal ADHERE TO THEM Submit to Editor Send out for Review Wait for a decision Hope for the opportunity to revise

Writing Abstracts

• Different purposes Thesis or Dissertation Published Articles Submission to a Conference Length and content depends on purpose

Thesis or Dissertation Abstracts

• Constraints Length Form Style Location Consult University Guidelines Brief description of research project 350 words Single spaced Cataloging abstracts (with heading)

Abstracts for Published Papers

• Typical limit 100 to 150 words Get to the point! Purpose: to provide enough information to the reader so s/he can decide if it is important to their area of study Important parts What was the problem? Who were the participants? How did you carry out the research What did you find?

Conference Abstracts

• Usually more space Purpose: to convince reviewers to accept paper for presentation Follow the Guidelines Results are usually most important part Check the Rules “has not been published or presented elsewhere”

Making Presentations

Free Presentations

• Know your time limit Use effective audiovisual aids know the size of the room make print large enough for audience to read Tables and figures, about a slide a minute is the estimate PRACTICE one double-spaced page of text is about a minute of speech (OR LESS)

Free Presentations

• 15 minute slot Intro 3 minutes Problem Statement 1 minute Method 3 minutes Results 3 minutes Discussion 2 minutes Questions 3 minutes Most frequent error: too much method, insufficient results

Free Presentations

• Rough Guideline: at the 1/2 way point you should start your results Memorize your first paragraph Have back up audiovisual aids Have a “jump point” Do not try to present too much Use your class presentations to get good experience

Poster Presentations

• Six Parts
• Introduction Problem Statement Methods Results Discussion and Conclusions Important References

Poster Presentations

• Know the space availability Provide the necessary equipment Prepare materials for maximum visibility Use Bullets Large Lettering Use Figures and Tables to represent your results Have Handouts Available

Posters Vs. Free Presentations

• Free = more visibility Posters = allow for more interaction with authors