Writing The Scientific Research Paper

Writing the Paper Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified. Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

This information can be obtained online at

I. Length

Length The text (Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and Literature Cited) is restricted to twelve (12) pages The text (Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and Literature Cited) is restricted to twelve (12) pages

Length double-spaced on one side of 8 1/2" by 11" (21.3cm by 27.5cm) paper, including analysis of data and illustrations. double-spaced on one side of 8 1/2" by 11" (21.3cm by 27.5cm) paper, including analysis of data and illustrations.

Length When additional data, charts/graphs, or illustrations are desired, they may be placed in appendices. When additional data, charts/graphs, or illustrations are desired, they may be placed in appendices.

The paper plus the appendices may not exceed twenty (20) pages. The paper plus the appendices may not exceed twenty (20) pages.

Length This limit does not include the three VJAS cover forms (Pages ONE, TWO, and THREE) and the Mentor/Certified Use Form. This limit does not include the three VJAS cover forms (Pages ONE, TWO, and THREE) and the Mentor/Certified Use Form.

Length Sections of the paper should immediately follow one another rather than starting on a separate page. Sections of the paper should immediately follow one another rather than starting on a separate page.

Length Do NOT include a title page. The Student Entry Form will be used in its place. Do NOT include a title page. The Student Entry Form will be used in its place.

Please Note! Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified. Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

II. Format

Format There shall be no more than twelve characters per inch. There shall be no more than twelve characters per inch.

Format Font shall be no smaller than 12 pt. font using one of the following print fonts - Helvetica, Times, Courier, or Geneva will be accepted. Font shall be no smaller than 12 pt. font using one of the following print fonts - Helvetica, Times, Courier, or Geneva will be accepted.

Format Do not change font size. Do not change font size. Margins shall be not less than 1" (2.5 cm) on all sides of all pages INCLUDING appendices. Margins shall be not less than 1" (2.5 cm) on all sides of all pages INCLUDING appendices.

Format Dot matrix printers are acceptable if letter quality type is used. Dot matrix printers are acceptable if letter quality type is used. Do not use draft mode. Do not use draft mode.

Format All copies must be dark enough to photocopy. All copies must be dark enough to photocopy.

Please Note! Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified. Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

III. Literature Citation

Literature Citations All references must be properly cited in the paper. When information belongs to others, they must be given proper credit. All references must be properly cited in the paper. When information belongs to others, they must be given proper credit.

Literature Cited Failure to do so is plagiarism. Failure to do so is plagiarism.

Literature Cited Consult theVirginia Journal of Science to examine current practice. Consult theVirginia Journal of Science to examine current practice.

Literature Cited Give author’s last name and year in parentheses (Wagner, 1988) for in- text citations (use et al. if more than two authors) Give author’s last name and year in parentheses (Wagner, 1988) for in- text citations (use et al. if more than two authors)

Literature Cited Do not use et al. in the Literature Cited part of paper (all authors names must be included). Do not use et al. in the Literature Cited part of paper (all authors names must be included).

Literature Cited Footnotes are NOT used in scientific papers for citation. See the “VJAS Style Manual” on the web for examples. Footnotes are NOT used in scientific papers for citation. See the “VJAS Style Manual” on the web for examples.

Please Note! Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified. Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

IV. Mechanics of the Paper

Mechanics of the Paper Should be concise Should be concise Written in third person past tense except in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science which may be written in first person present tense. Written in third person past tense except in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science which may be written in first person present tense.

Mechanics of the Paper Proper grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation should be used throughout the paper. Proper grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation should be used throughout the paper.

Mechanics of the Paper Appropriately labeled drawings or figures should be neatly prepared in black ink, suitable or publication. Appropriately labeled drawings or figures should be neatly prepared in black ink, suitable or publication.

Mechanics of the Paper Color figures ARE NOT acceptable. Color figures ARE NOT acceptable. All photographs should be black and white originals. All photographs should be black and white originals.

Mechanics of the Paper After the paper has been edited and rewritten by the student, it should be submitted to a science teacher for review and suggestions. After the paper has been edited and rewritten by the student, it should be submitted to a science teacher for review and suggestions.

Mechanics of the Paper In addition, the papers should be reviewed by an English teacher and/or consulting scientist. In addition, the papers should be reviewed by an English teacher and/or consulting scientist.

Please Note! Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified. Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

V. Quantity

Quantity Five (5) clear copies of the paper (the original and four (4) must be submitted to the VJAS for review. Five (5) clear copies of the paper (the original and four (4) must be submitted to the VJAS for review.

Quantity Each of them must include form pages 1, 2, and 3 and the certification page. Each of them must include form pages 1, 2, and 3 and the certification page.

Quantity Identify the original copy by writing “ORIGINAL” in the middle of the top of the Student Entry Form in RED. Identify the original copy by writing “ORIGINAL” in the middle of the top of the Student Entry Form in RED.

Quantity Copies of the papers will NOT be returned so it is important that you retain a copy for your personal use. Copies of the papers will NOT be returned so it is important that you retain a copy for your personal use.

Quantity Students applying for special awards must submit a copy of the paper with each special award application. Students applying for special awards must submit a copy of the paper with each special award application.

Please Note! Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified. Papers not following these guidelines will be disqualified.

This information can be obtained online at