Organization of Journal Papers

1. Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion and Conclusions Abstract Introduction Methods Results and Discussion Conclusions Organization of Journal Papers Similar to organization of theses, but usually no Literature Review. Two main schemes:

2. Journal Papers: Idiosyncrasies • Check journal’s “Information for Contributors” for requirements (e.g., figures, organization, equations, etc.). • Each journal/professional society has its own system, e.g.,ASCE. • Introduction: • Include preview of content (and structure) of paper. • Principal results and conclusions may be in Introduction or Abstract as well as body of paper. • If no Conclusions section, state conclusions in Discussion section.

3. Summary more than one paragraph management audience semi-technical language 5-10% of whole document double-spaced may use sub-headings Abstract one paragraph technical audience technical keywords strict word limit (100-300 words) single-spaced one solid paragraph Summaries vs. Abstracts

4. Similarities between Summaries and Abstracts • Miniature versions of report • No citations, figures, or references to any • No references to parts of report (separate document) • Contain: • Statement of problem • Approach to solving problem • Results and conclusions

5. Journal Paper Introduction • Define specific problem or phenomenon • Present motivation for work • Give precise statement of objectives • Provide background of previous work • Chief contributions of others (this becomes Literature Review in a thesis or dissertation) • Outline scope and limitations of work • Parameters, assumptions, and methodology • Preview content (and structure) of paper • Principal results and conclusions

6. Methods • Give full details of experimental work or model development. • Reader must be able to reproduce results based on description of experimental design or model. • You may reference standard procedures if they exist already in published form. • Describe materials, if applicable • Give exact technical specs and quantities. • Check journal’s “Information for Contributors” for requirements (e.g., figures).

7. Methods (con.) • Assume audience knows about as much as you do. • Not for industry reports • Tell what you did, how and why, but not necessarily in chronological order. • Write mostly in past tense.

8. Results • Present results in past tense. • Write to connect figures and tables. • Present representative data (not necessarily everything). • Don’t reproduce in the text all data from the graphics – select out main points. • If separate from Discussion, don’t discuss significance yet. • Usually easier to combine this section with Discussion.

9. Discussion • If separate chapter, discuss significance of results; don’t just restate them. • Present principles, generalizations and relationships shown by results. • Point out any exceptions or any lack of correlation. • If results have more than one possible interpretation, state them all and give judgment about which is right.

10. Discussion (con.) • Compare your interpretations and data with previous work. • Justify your interpretations. • Discuss practical applications as well as theory. • If no Conclusions section, state conclusions, with corresponding evidence.

11. Conclusions • You may well want to have a separate Conclusions section. • Begin with brief synopsis of objectives and research design. • Skim off the “cream” of your findings – state relevance for engineering work. • Add no new information • Point out directions for future work.