Improving Your Publications in Top International Journals

1. Improving Your Publications in Top International Journals Wenping Cao @ Beijing Jiaotong University 30th May 2012

2. Introduction (Membership) • SMIEEE – Senior Member of the IEEE • IEEE IAS Electric Machines Committee Member • IEEE IAS Industrial Drives Committee Member • IEEE Power and Energy Society Member • IEEE Industry Applications Society Member • IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society Member • IEEE Communications Society Member • MIET – Member of the IET • FHEA – Fellow of Higher Education Academy Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

3. Introduction (Membership) ctd • SMMIAENG – Member of International Association of Engineers • MCIE – Member of Cleveland Institution of Engineers • MICES – Member of Instrumentation and Control Engineering Society • MCSEE – Member of Chinese SocietyforElectrical Engineering • MWWEA – Member of World Wind Energy Association • MCWEA – Member of Chinese Wind Energy Association • MBSA – Member of the British Science Association • MTFI – Member of Technology Futures Institute • METN – member of the Electronics Technology Network Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

4. Roles in Publication Process • IEEE IAS Associate Editor of the Electric Machines Committee, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, IEEE Industry Applications Magazine • Editorial Board of International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET); Energy and Power Engineering(EPE) • Regular reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Power Electronics, Industry Applications, Energy Conversion, Instrumentation and Measurement, Sustainable Energy; IET Electric Power Applications, IET Power Electronics, IET Circuits, Devices & Systems, Electric Power Components and Systems, AutosoftJournal, Soft Computing and Automation Journal, International Journal on Modelling Identification and Control… • Reviewer for numerical IEEE/IET conferences Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

5. Recent Journal/BC Publications • W. Cao, et al, “Overview of electric motor technologies used for more electric aircraft (MEA), IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2012 • W. Cao, “Wind turbine generator technologies”, Advances in Wind Power, Hampshire, UK. 2012 • W. Cao, et al, “Study of broken bars in three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors at standstill”, European Transactions on Electrical Power, 2012 • W. Cao, et al, “Electromagnetic environment around a high-speed railway using analytical technique”, Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2011 • W. Cao, et al, “Simulation software for CRH2 and CRH3 traction driver systems based on SIMULINK and VC”, Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2011 • W. Cao, et al, “Design and analysis of the hybrid excitation rail eddy brake system of high-speed trains”, Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2011 • W. Cao, et al, “Assessment of IEC 60034-2-1 in determining induction machine efficiency”, European Transactions on Electrical Power, 2011

6. Recent Journal Publications (ctd) • W. Cao, “High-temperature superconducting wind turbine generators”, Wind Turbines, 2011, Hampshire, UK. • W. Cao, et al, “Comparison of stray load and inverter-induced harmonic losses in induction motors using calorimetric and harmonic injection methods”, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 2010 • W. Cao, et al, “Calorimeters and techniques used for power loss measurements in electrical machines”, IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine, 2010 • W. Cao, et al, “Design of a 300 kW calorimeter for electrical motor loss measurement”,IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2009 • W. Cao, “Comparison of IEEE 112 and new IEC standard 60034-2-1”, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 2009 • W. Cao, et al, “Development of a high-precision calorimeter for measuring power loss in electrical machines”, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2009 • W. Cao, et al, “Predicting inverter-induced harmonic loss by improved harmonic injection”, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 2008

7. Recent Journal Publications (ctd) • W. Cao, et al, “Evaluation of stray load loss in induction motors with a comparison of input-output and calorimetric methods”, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion,2006 • W. Cao, et al, “Assessing the impacts of rewind and repeated rewinds on induction motors: is an opportunity for re-designing the machine being wasted?”, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 2006 • W. Cao, et al, “Evaluation of additional loss in induction motors consequent on repair and rewinding”, IEE Proceedings on Electric Power Applications, 2006 • W. Cao, et al, “DFIG test facility for grid fault ride-through analysis”, submitted toIEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement • W. Cao, et al,“Efficiency determination of in-service induction motors using the genetic algorithm”, submitted to IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion • W. Cao, et al,“Thermal analysis of a balanced calorimeter”, submitted to IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications • W. Cao, “Online diagnosis of the bond wire lift-off in IGBT power modules for electric vehicles”, submitted to IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy

8. Outline • Why publish ? • What to publish ? • When to publish ? • Where to publish ? • How to publish ? Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

9. Preparing Yourself • Take a deep breath • Be confident • Use critical thinking* • Pay particular attention to details Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

10. 1. Why Publish ? • To disseminate knowledge • To appear in prestigious journals with photo & CV appended • To raise the status in the professional community • To meet the academic or professional expectations • To earn promotion and tenure • To escape from the “publish or perish” dilemma Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

11. 2. What to Publish ? • Originality • Innovation • Relevance • Problem-solving or problem-raising* • Addition to knowledge Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

12. Type of Articles • Material of current interest or potential importance in future • An invention/investigation important for applications, or worthy of archival literature • Letters to the Editor describing the results of research • State-of-the-art survey/review papers • Full Papers, Letters, Short Papers, etc. Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

13. 3. When to Publish ? • Ideas reaching maturity • Theoretical and practical results ready • Significant findings and contributions • Follow up the publishers’ priority areas Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

14. 4. Where to Publish ? • SJR: SCImago Journal Rank reflects prestige of sources: value weighted citations per paper • SNIP: Source Normalised Impact Per-paper corrects for differences in the frequency of citation across research field • Check Scopus/EI sources. • Select your favourite scientific society in IEEE/IET and its best Transactions Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

15. IET Submissions/Acceptance India Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

16. 5. How to Publish ? • Familiarise yourself with the publication process • Understand the readers, reviewers/editors • Be aware of cultural difference • Pay particular attention to details • Practise logical deduction*and story-telling • Use critical thinking* • Good use of English Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

18. Aesthetic Standards Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

19. Golden Rules • Choose an area of current or future interest • Provide clear motivation • Usefulness and repeatability • Technical accuracy • Clarity and conciseness • Conduct a thorough critical assessment of other work • Good structure and organisation Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

20. Structure Your Article • Title • Abstract • Introduction (& literature review) • Methodology to problem • Experiment/simulation results • Analysis/discussion • Conclusions (& future work) • References Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

21. Title • Advert with one selling point • Attraction and sexy • Be concise, clear but informative • Emphasise novelty • Be specific to the point (method, results) • Should not begin with words such as “a”, “novel”, “new” or “the” Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

22. Abstract • Just a short one paragraph (≤ 200 words) • A summary of the paper, including a brief description of the problem, the method, and conclusions • The 1st sentence establishes the context and scope • Stress significance of the results • Must be understandable independently: no references, no citations, no obscure abbreviations Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

23. Sample Abstract Context scope Problem Methods Key results Significance, linking title 200 words

24. Introduction • Define the scope of the text, find the right focus • Clarity nature of the problem • Thorough review* of previous & latest work (20-50 important papers, keyword search) • Purposes and significance of the paper • Method by which the problem is approached • Sometimes, organisation of the paper • But no any results presented Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

25. Methodology • Rules of analysis, verification and validation • From problem, hypothesis to experiments • Deductive reasoning • Statistical analysis and approximations • System model, experimental setup or simulations • Theoretical model verified by measurements or earlier known reliable results • Improvements on existing approaches Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

26. Results • Findings from your own research work to support your points • Results can be analytical (deductive), simulation, or from measurement • They should preferably be taken from systems in the real world. If not, correspond to those available • They’re presented to facilitate the readers’ understanding, usually, in figures or tables • Don’t try to cook/hide key info • Value of the results depend on how well they can be generalised • Do more experiments to convince Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

27. Analysis & Discussion • All the results should be interpreted intelligently • What do these findings mean ? • What can they solve ? • What can they apply to ? • Significance of these results • Making connections, using critical thinking Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

28. Conclusions • Summarise what have been done and its significance from the results • Identify applications of the results • Extract permanent archival value • Advantages and limitations • Recommendations for further work* Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

29. References • Follow Vancouver (numerical), not Harvard system • Papers with inadequate references are often rejected • Cite an adequate number of high quality ones • Cite journal papers published in that Transactions • You have researched the area thoroughly and put your paper in the context of recent work • Don’t miss out any important papers • Cross checking Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

30. Good Use of English -- Words, Sentences & Paragraphs

31. Words • Build your own vocabulary bank • Select the correct and appropriate words with meanings and overtones* • Seek variety • English and American spelling is different, try to be consistent • Normally, integers less than ten are spelled out. Fractional numbers are considered plurals • Try avoiding negative words like “not”, “un”, “non” • Not be confused by similar words and symbols Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

32. Example: Adverbs of frequency Always, usually, generally, normally, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, hardly, and never Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

33. Sentences • Follow formal style • A sentence just for a meaning • Use sentences of around even length • Do not use very long complex sentences • Use keywords to maintain the flow of your argument • Link sentences using transitional words. But don’t over-use them • Add some art and variety Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

34. Paragraphs • A paragraph is used to make one point • Make the organisation unified and well balanced: no repetitions, no gaps between paragraphs • Start a paragraph with a topic sentence and flow on from the end of the previous one • Divide long sections into smaller parts with headings • No silent assumptions allowed, everything must be explicit and deductive • Treat each topic in one place, minimise cross references • Paraphrase to avoid plagiarism Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

35. Common Errors • Wrong Transactions to submit • Incorrect format or presentation • Wrong judgement of your readers/reviewers • No significant new results • Insufficient information in references • “Forget” to mention competing methods • “Forget” to discuss the shortcomings of your ideas • Difficult to understand: words, sentences, paragraphs • Use illustrations with text that are too small to read • Not convincing at all • Overstate your points and conclusions Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

36. Checklist • Write for the convenience of readers • Complied with the Transactions guidelines and Good Practice. • Clear motivation/purposes in abstract and introduction • Expressed everything correctly, clearly, concisely and logically • Methods are valid; results are significant and validated • Defined abbreviations, acronyms, symbols • References are correct in all details and correctly cited • Checked for technical, spelling, grammatical errors and inconsistency • What’s the loophole ? Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

37. Editor/Reviewers’ Feedback • Be prepared for harsh comments* for it’s common for reviewers to disagree • Reply with gratitude even after being rejected • Accommodate all the comments where possible • See samples for accepting, doubting and rejecting remarks • Be defensive • Finally, be strong and confident Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

38. Final Remarks • Quality of the work is of prime importance • Good use of English is key to success • Get involved in the IEEE/IET activities • Collaborate with colleagues and international partners Life is finite, while knowledge is infinite. — Zhuang-tzu

39. Thank you for your attention. Contact: wenping.cao@newcastle.ac.uk