Paper Writing, Structure of a Paper

1. Paper Writing, Structure of a Paper

2. Structure of a Paper • Abstract (Keywords or JEL code) • Introduction • Literature Review • Description of Data and Methodology • Results / Findings of the Research • Summary and Conclusions • References

3. Introduction of a Paper • Purpose of the paper/research and clearly stated motivation for the research • Research Question • Contribution of the research to the future progress in the field • Description of the structure of the paper

4. Presenting a Paper / Research Project

5. Some Useful Pieces of Advice / Hints • Follow the progress in your field by reading the relevant journals, applying for conferences and research seminars, keeping regular contactwith academics and practitioners • Before submitting a paper to a journal intended to publish it, present the paper in order to get a feedback on the results

6. Some Useful Pieces of Advice / Hints (cont.) • Apply for research money to be able to carry out the research project • Try to create a research group / team by attracting some experts of your field and some people with similar interest • Attract the attention of your supervisor in conducting research together and in writing a paper

7. Submitting and Presenting a Paper • Pay attention to the release of call for papers (journal ads, internet, e-mail) • Keep the deadline for applying to a conference (submission of an abstract or full paper is necessary) • Proper timing has crucial importance! Check the possible duration of the presentation (a session talk is normally 20 minutes long)

8. Submitting and Presenting a Paper • In case of a 20-minute talk you do not have enough time to go far into the details. • Make the concepts and the basic ideas clear! • On a conference there is always a possibility to find some room for individual discussions. Try to utilize it!

9. Plagiarism versus Proper Referencing

10. Plagiarism DEFINITION: the presentation of another’s words or ideas as your own. According to the regulations the punishment is failure. It is regarded as lying, insult and stealing.

11. Plagiarism • It is a big deal in the academy. • You need to avoid all forms of plagiarism. • Much plagiarism is inadvertent and unknowing. • Some forms are probably not obvious to you. • However, anything you write down, unless you indicate otherwise, is assumed to be your own, original thought.

12. Plagiarism Let us suppose that you required to write a book review on Theodore M. Porter: Trust in Numbers: The Pursuit of Objectivity in Science and Public Life (Princeton University Press, 1995). In preparing to write your paper, you come across a book review by Lisa R. Staffen published in Contemporary Sociology (March, 1996, Vol. 25, No., 2, pp.154-156).

13. Plagiarism Staffens review begins as follows: „It has become fashionable to reject the notion of absolute objectivity on the grounds that objectivity is simply unattainable or, even if attainable, is undesirable.” Plagiarism (1):I feel ithas become fashionable to reject the notion of absolute objectivity on the grounds that objectivity is simply unattainable.

14. Plagiarism Plagiarism (2):I feel ithas become stylish to reject the idea of absolute objectivity on the grounds that objectivity cannot be achieved. Plagiarism (3): Many people today have rejected the idea that there is such a thing as absolute objectivity since they do not believe that it can be achieved.

15. Proper Referencing There is nothing wrong with presenting someone else’s words or ideas in a paper. The key to doing this properly lies in citation and correct referencing. It means that we give our readers a full bibliographic reference so they would be ableto locate and read the original.

16. Proper Referencing Proper use (1): Lisa Staffen (1996, p.154) begins her review of Porter’s book by suggesting „It has become …” This should be accompanied by an appropriate bibliographic citation in the reference list (at the end of the work): Lisa R. Staffen (1996): Featured Essays, Contemporary Sociology, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 154-156.

17. Proper Referencing Proper use (2): In her review of Porter’s book Lisa Staffen (1996, p.154) says the idea of absolute objectivity is now commonly rejected as „simply unattainable or, even if attainable, [as] undesirable”. Proper use (3): According to Lisa Staffen (1996, p.154), it has become fashionable to reject the idea of absolute objectivity altogether.

18. Sample citations Book: Chansarkar, B. (1987): Applied Multivariate Analysis, Himalaya Publishing. Journal Article: Newman, K. (1990): Privatization in Europe, European Business Journal, Vol. 2, No.3, pp. 25-30.

19. Sample citations Article in a Book: Lovelock, C. (1975): The construction, operation and evaluation of management games, in Taylor, B. and Lippit, G. L. (Eds), Management Development and Training Handbook, McGraw-Hill, London. Internet article based on a print source: Mayer, S. (2001): How did the increase in economic inequality between 1970 and 1990 affect children’s educational attainment [Electronic version], American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 107 (3), pp. 1-32.

20. Sample citations Article in an Internet-only journal: Thomas, A. (1999): Untowning Harwick: Restructuring a rural town, Electronic Journal of Sociology, Vol. 4 (1), Retrieved November 16, 2006, from http://www.sociology.org/content/vol1004.001/thomas.html. Document from an organization: Land Trust Alliance (2001, June 15): What’s in the new tax law? Retrieved November 16, 2006, from http://www.lta.org/publicpolicy/taxlawnew.htm.

21. Sample citations Document from a government agency: Department of Education (2001): A guide for parents: how do I know a good early reading program when I see it?, Retrieved November 16, 2006, from http:// www.ed.gov/inits/rrrl/guide.html.

22. Source: Earl Babbie: Plagiarism (1998) Internet article, Retrieved May 2, 2003, from http://www.csubak.edu/ssric/Modules/Other/plagiarism.htm