Writing Scientific Papers
Contents
The social context of scientific writing
What is a scientific paper
The structure of a paper
Organization and development of the paper
The format of the paper
The social context of scientific writing
Scientific writing is social
Teamwork among colleges and management
Contributions to the finished report/paper
Information
Guidance
Comments
Evaluations
Circulation of the paper in the community of specialists
Peer-review by other specialists in the area
Outside professionals
Review cycle – Student
Student to Instructor
Co-writers
Student/
Writer
College Instructor/Editor
Review cycle – Company R&D
Research team to company
Co-writers
Engineer/
Scientist/
Writer
Supervisor/
editor
Manager
Company Hierarchy
Review cycle – Refereed Journals
Researcher to research community
Co-writers
Researcher/
Writer Journal
Editor
Reviewers
Outside Research Community
What is a Scientific Paper ?
A scientific paper is
A written and published report describing original findings from research
Where the findings
Are formulated as answers to particular research problems from a particular perspective
And the purpose is
To give a coherent and brief summary of research
Ways of Scientific Presentations
Journal Papers
6 to 20 pages long
Published in periodicals (monthly – quarterly)
Iterative review process
Time from paper submission to print is 6 to 18 months
Examples of journals:
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits
IEEE Transactions on VLSI Systems
IEE Proceedings - Vision, Image and Signal Processing
Ways of Scientific Presentations
Conference Papers
2 to 10 pages long
The paper is presented orally or with a poster at the conference venue
One-directional review process
The author is notified by the editor with an accept or reject with a motivation
Time from paper submission to notification is 3 months and 6 months to presentation
Oral presentation of the paper is 15 to 30 minutes
Printed in the conference proceedings
Ways of Scientific Presentations
Poster presentation
Poster can be of the size of an A1 or A2
Reviewed in the same way as an conference paper
Presented at a poster session at the conference venue
Printed in the conference proceedings
Ways of Scientific Presentations
Letter
A short paper – 1 to 3 pages long
Focuses on one single experimental result
A way to publish results quickly – 1 to 6 months from paper submission to print
Normally no iterative review process
Examples of journals publishing letters
IEE Electronics Letters
IEEE Communications Letters
Ways of Scientific Presentations
Note, Comment, Correspondence
A form of ”paper” for public correspondence in a journal
Comments or corrects previously published material in the same journal
The Structure of writing a paper
IMRAD
Introduction What question (problem) was studied ?
Methods How was the problem studied ?
Results What were the results ?
Discussion What do the findings mean ?
IMRAD is a structured and simple way to
communicate research results
Structure of a paper
Front matter -Title
-Abstract -Keywords
Body of paper -Introduction -Review of the literature
-Theory
-Experiment -Results
-Discussions -Conclusions
End matter
-Acknowledgements -References
-Appendixes
Front matter
Title
-part of the paper that will be read most often -Purpose: gives the basic information about the contents
-Helps the reader to decide whether to read the paper
Abstract
-part of the paper that will be read most often -A condensed version of the entire paper in 100- 200 words
-A sentence or two summarizing each of the IMRAD sections
-Don’t use abbreviations that are not evident -Don’t refer to other papers here
Keywords
-Identifies the subject and focus of the paper -Used as indexes for database search
From: B. Oelmann, K. Tammemäe, M. Kruus, and M. O’Nils, ”Automatic FSM Synthesis for Low-Power Mixed Synchronous/Asynchronous Implementation”
Body of the paper – Introduction
The purpose is to
Identify the objectives and rationale of the paper
Formulate the problem addressed in the paper
Argue for originality
Present related research by other authors
Structure of the introduction
Introduce the problem – move from the broader
issue to the specific problem addressed in the paper
Last paragraphs summarize the paper and the findings of the paper
Introduction to the addressed problem
Image and video coding standards all utilize entropy coding in the form of variable length codes (VLCs) for their efficient compression. The video coding standard H.26L utilizes a unique VLC pattern which is called Universal Variable Length Code (UVLC) to perform entropy coding [4]. UVLC was first
proposed in [1]. In [1,2,3] it is suggested to be used in the coding of motion vectors as well as DCT coefficients for H.26L. UVLC is claimed to be able to provide good performance in terms of coding efficiency, configurability to various applications and error resiliency. Although UVLC is efficient in compression, the variable code length also limits the decoding throughput. The decoding process needs to identify the codeword boundaries, each of which depends recursively on the previous codeword boundary.
From: X. Shang and B. Oelmann, ”A Coding Method for UVLC Targeting Efficient Decoder Architecture”
Problem definition and argument for originality
The codeword tables can be implemented with ROM or PLA and the shifting scheme is usually implemented with barrel shifters. These two parts in a VLC decoder occupy the largest portion of the area and as they are the two crucial parts in
determining the codeword boundaries, they are both included in the critical timing path of the decoder. Look-up tables and barrel shifters are therefore the performance limiting components in a VLC decoder.
Problem definition
In this paper we present a new type of UVLC decoder based on the ALT coding method. It does not contain look-up tables, and the sizes of barrel shifters are greatly reduced. Therefore it is faster, much smaller and less power-consuming. With the development in mobile video communications, the construction of smaller, faster, and less power- consuming video CODECs becomes increasingly
Argument for originality and relevance
Summarize the paper and its findings
In the paper, we compare the performances of the proposed UVLC decoder with a decoder developed by Jae Ho Jeon et al. [8], under the name of “Fast Variable-Length Decoder Using Plane Separation” (PLS), which was claimed to be one of the most effective VLC decoders. We compare the ALT decoder to the PLS decoder in delay, area and power consumption. Our results show that the ALT decoder is 1.34 times faster, 1.7 times smaller, and consumes 45% power in comparison to the PLS decoder.
From: X. Shang and B. Oelmann, ”A Coding Method for UVLC Targeting Efficient Decoder Architecture”
Body of the paper – Review of the literature
The purpose is to
Summarize previously published work that is related to the work presented in the paper
The literature review is
Placed in a dedicated section of the paper called Related work
Placed in the Introduction
Example of separate Related Work section
From: B.Oelmann and M. O’Nils, ”Asynchronous Control of Low-Power Gated-Clock Finite-State Machines”
Body of the paper – Theory
Theory may be provided in
The Introduction
In a separate section where a more extensive discussion is necessary
It may contain
A predictive model
Governing equations
Survey of design parameters
Discussions on assumptions
Example of a Theory section
Describes the construction of the
UVLC code and the proposed Alternating coding method.
From: X. Shang and B. Oelmann, ” Alternating Coding for Universal Variable Length Code”
Body of the paper – Experiment
The purpose is to
Describe the tools and processes that enabled you to meet the stated objectives in the introduction
From this section the reader will
Judge how you designed the experiment
Be able to re-produce your results
In this section clarity and accuracy is important
Experimental section is not applicable to all papers
Theoretical papers
Papers with simple experiments may present it in the Result section
Body of the paper – Results
Purpose is to translate the empirical data to
Numerical generalizations
Statistical analysis
The results are the core of the paper
Prior sections leads to the Result section
Following sections concludes from the Result section
The presentation of the data is important
Proper graphical presentation facilitates the interpretation of the results
Example from presentation of results
Comparisons
Shows the benefits of a
proposed method
Example from presentation of results
Complex Comparisons
Show the relative performance of different D- flip/flop styles
From: X. Shang and B. Oelmann, ”Comparative Study of Low-Voltage Performance of Standard-Cell Flip-Flops”
Body of the paper – Discussions
Purpose
Evaluate the results and their importance
Discuss reliability of the results
If inconsistencies exists in the results, they
should be noted even if no explanation can be given
Example of Conclusions
From: X. Shang and B. Oelmann, ”Comparative Study of Low-Voltage Performance of Standard-Cell Flip-Flops”
End matter - Acknowledgments
Purpose
Thank people other than the coauthors
Thank funding agencies for financial support
Thank organization for providing equipment etc.
Example of Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments for financial support
From: B. Oelmann, K. Tammemäe, M. Kruus, and M. O’Nils, ”Automatic FSM Synthesis for Low-Power Mixed Synchronous/Asynchronous Implementation”
End matter - References
Different reference styles (e.g. IEEE)
Organizing and developing a paper
Prewriting exercises
Think before you write
Brainstorm, free-write, making lists
Outline the paper
How to start writing
Think Before You Write
Ask yourself a series of questions
What form will the writing take ?
How do I talk to this audience ?
What are they asking ?
What are my motivations ?
Do I believe in what I am saying ?
Do I have the material that I need ?
Literature
Data
Understanding
Reference books
Get Started
Important to get started
Just get down the thoughts on paper
Write all ideas down immediately (no discrimination) and then throw the bad ideas away
List all the questions you think the audience will want answered
When everything is listed on paper it is easier to organize the material
Outline the Paper
Purpose
To structure the paper
Easy changeable makes it easy to try out different structures of the paper
Level of details in an outline
Just write a rough outline and then start to write
Make a detailed one before start writing
How to start writing
Write the abstract first ?
The abstract is an outline of the paper – IMRAD structure in 100-300 words
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussions
Start in the middle ?
When it feels difficult to start with the introduction
The things in the middle of the paper is more concrete
Let the paper grow to the end and the beginning
Some Guiding Rules
Ransom’s Rules for technical and scientific writing
1. If it can be interpreted in more than one way, it’s wrong.
2. Know your audience; know the subject; know your purpose.
3. If you can’t think of a reason to put a comma in, leave it out.
4. Keep your writing clear, concise, and correct.
5. If it works, do it.
Developing the Paper
Sections
Subsections—Subsections
Subsubsections—Subsubsections—Subsubsections
Paragraphs—Paragraphs —Paragraphs —Paragraphs —Paragraphs
Sentences—Sentences —Sentences —Sentences —Sentences —Sentences
Words—Words —Words —Words —Words —Words —Words —Words —Words —Words
Organize Write
Contents of the paper using IMRAD
The purposes of the introduction
Call the attention to the subject you are to discuss
Provide a background and justify your study
List the objectives of your research and what you intend to accomplish in your paper
Contents of the paper using IMRAD
The purposes of the methods
Provide a recipe showing how you acquired your data
List of materials
Conditions
Step-by-step description
Questions to be answered by the audience
Is the researcher’s work credible ?
Can I use the same methods ?
Contents of the paper using IMRAD
The purposes of the results
Show how your findings satisfies the objectives given in the introduction section
Presentation of the data
For example in tables and graphs
The text will tie the data to the objectives or point out the main points that can be observed in the data
All tables, figures, and graphs should be referred to in the text
Contents of the paper using IMRAD
The purposes of the discussion
Interpretation of the data, show its relationship to the results from similar studies
Discuss the reliability of your results
State the significations of your work
State the limitations of your work
Contents of the paper beyond IMRAD
Add a section Conclusions
Purpose
Restate your findings and form an opinion about their implications
Specify possible applications and recommend directions for future work
All statements in this section should bring you back to the original problems and objectives stated in the introduction
What’s your point ?
The paper must be tied together with a thesis
Here, thesis is: the theme, motif, or focus of the paper
The theme should be present in all sections in the paper
The theme will hold the different sections together
Introduction – Methods – Results - Discussions
Guiding the audience through the paper
The paper has a built-in road-map
Carries the audience through the various sections of the material
Bridges
Joins the different blocks of material
Signposts
Directs the reader along the road
Transitions
The language devices that provides bridges and signposts
Transitions
Purpose
Join parts together
Carry the message forward with meaning
A transition
Looks in both directions at the same time …
… but they signal a movement to the next idea
Different language constructions for transitions
Single words
Sentences
Entire paragraphs
Examples of Transitions (one word)
The authors are motivating their method for low-power
design that doesn’t add extra capacitance on the clock signal.
Then they continue describing their proposed (asynchronous) method.
Examples of Transitions (one sentence)
The authors couples a general optimization method (voltage scaling) to their specific work (low-power flip-flops).
From: X. Shang and B. Oelmann, ”Comparative Study of Low-Voltage Performance of Standard-Cell Flip-Flops”
Examples of Transitions (one paragraph)
The authors are bridging the general discussion about related work and the specific minimization method they have addressed
Signposts
Purpose
Telling the audience what will come next
Example:
From: B. Oelmann, K. Tammemäe, M. Kruus, and M. O’Nils, ”Automatic FSM Synthesis for Low-Power Mixed Synchronous/Asynchronous Implementation”
Writing the Draft
Start writing when you
Know what point(s) you are focusing on in the paper
Know what you want to tell the audience
Have considered what the questions are
Start write as soon as possible
It will require several revisions anyway
Writing the Draft
A scientific paper is in most cases build on text written with one of four approaches
Compare—Contrast
Question: ”Are SRIS and StrongARM equally good or do they differ in any way?”
Answer: ”Both SRIS and StrongARM are efficient flip-flops, but for low switching activities SRIS consumes nearly half the power compared to StrongARM.”
Enumeration
Question: ”What are the benefits of the proposed method?”
Answer: ”The first advantage is the …. . The second is its …”
Definition
Question: ”What do you mean by propagation delay?”
Answer: The propagation delay is defined as:
Cause—Effect
Question: ”Why is the asynchronous technique so much better?”
Answer: ”The asynchronous CCB only needs one clock cycle to complete a hand- over, which leads to reduced the switched capacitance.”
CQ setup
DQ t t
t
Checklist on how to organize and write a rough draft
1. Determine what questions you are answering for your audience and how specifically each question directs your approach
2. List ideas that will convey the answers 3. Arrange the ideas in a logical sequence
4. Using your own judgment, choose one of the four approaches (define, compare-contrast, enumerate, give cause and effect) and write immediately.
5. Recognize the need to revise.
References
This presentation is based on material from:
Martha Davis, ”Scientific Paper and Presentation, Academic Press, ISBN 0- 12-206370-8
James G. Paradise and Muriel L. Zimmerman, ”The MIT Guide to Science and Engineering Communication”, the MIT Press, ISBN: 0-262-66127-6
From these two books there are lots of references to other books covering different aspects of scientific writing.
Appendix: Example of review form
Ranking of the paper
Ranking criteria Unacceptable
1
Poor 2
Good 3
Very Good 4
Excellent 5 How novel or worthwhile are the ideas in the paper?
How adequately referenced is the existing literature on the subject?
How clearly and understandably is the technical contribution described?
How well are the claims and conclusions supported by the presented material?
How well are the advantages and limitations of the approach described?
How adequate is the experimental procedure and results for the topic?
How well does the abstract summarize the essential information?
How well does the introduction orient the reader?
How well is the paper structured?
How clear and relevant are the tables, figures, and algorithms?
