Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Devon M. Simmonds Writing a Good Research Paper CSC 550 Slides compiled from various sources including: LINKLINK

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 2 Outline The paper writing process Sources for Computer Science research Paper format – Introduction – Background – Related works – Research method – Discussion – Conclusion – References – Appendices Plagiarism Main SOURCE:

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 3 The Paper Writing Process A partial state model

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 4 Sources for Computer Science Research ACM Digital Library IEEE Computer Society Digital Library Academic Search Premier ScienceDirect etc.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 5 Writing the paper Paper format – Title – Abstract – Introduction – Background – Related work – Research method/Main sections – Discussion – Conclusion – References – Appendices

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 6 Writing the paper Title Title should be precise and inviting Examples of bad titles – A Software, A theorem and its proof in wireless networks – Partial redundancy elimination in presence of critical edges for practical imperative programs with recursion and large number of functions and calls through function pointers Possible good titles – A software based control system for... On XYZ theorem – Reducing congestion in wireless networks – Partial redundancy elimination in extreme situations

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 7 Writing the paper Abstract Abstract should be a succinct and stand alone description. Reading the rest of the paper should not be necessary to get the gist. Self-containment only at a high level of description. An abstract is neither a complete summary nor an outline of the paper. A checklist: – Motivation, problem statement, approach, results, conclusions Common mistakes – Too verbose, Too long, Too short, Omitting essential details

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC550 9 Writing the paper Introduction – Purpose: A clear statement of the researcher's purpose in writing the paper. – Significance: An explanation of why this topic is interesting – Context: An explanation of how the topic is relevant to the discipline and beyond. Includes a discussion of research done in the past on the subject. – Definitions: Define important concepts. – Research Goal: State the hypotheses to be tested --that is, what you hope to show in the body of the paper. If the paper is thematic and descriptive rather than a quantitative test of hypotheses, a clear statement of the theme is substituted.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Background – Define and explain important concepts which will help the reader grasp the technical concepts in the paper. – Summarize past research that are foundational and explain the relationship of past research to the research presented in the paper.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Related Work – Cite and summarize past research that are similar to the research presented in your paper. State the significance and unique contribution of each such reference. Describe how the research describe in your paper is different/better from each cited project.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Method – Describe the data collection procedures, data sources, measures of variables and methods of analysis. This section may be omitted if your paper does not involve quantitative analysis. or Main sections

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Results – A presentation of the findings. If the paper is descriptive and thematic, this section carries out the theme, presenting the detailed evidence for it. – If hypotheses are being tested, the results of the tests are presented and discussed here. Counter-evidence or counterarguments should also be presented and discussed.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Discussion – “Do not make this predominantly a rehash of either the Introduction or the Results. It should present the overall significance of your work and show how it agrees or disagrees with previous models or allows disparate observations to be drawn together. It is often very helpful to have a Figure of new model that is based on your findings.”

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Discussion – A discussion of the inferences and conclusions to be drawn from the findings. – They should be related back to the theoretical statements of the first section, so that it is clear how much ground has been gained by the research. – Additional implications for policy making, if applicable. – Remaining problems for future research should be discussed here.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Discussion – “First paragraph of the Discussion should give a brief overview of the main findings of the paper: the final conclusions and an outline of the supporting data.”

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper Conclusion – A brief summary of goals and major findings. – Future research possibilities and intention may be stated.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Writing the paper References – Should be sufficient to address the required breadth and depth of the paper Appendices – Used for supplemental material

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Paper Formatting Styles Check the journal of conference for style information/templates – Font style/size – Title – Author list – Column requirement – Figures – Paper length – Citation/references – etc.

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words, ideas, images, sounds, or the creative expression of others as your own. What is plagiarism? SOURCE: LINK LINK

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Two types of plagiarism: Intentional – Copying a friend’s work – Buying or borrowing papers – Cutting and pasting blocks of text from electronic sources without documenting – Media “borrowing”without documentation – Web publishing without permissions of creators Unintentional – Careless paraphrasing – Poor documentation – Quoting excessively – Failure to use your own “voice” SOURCE: LINK LINK

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Real life consequences: Damaged the reputation of two prominent historians, Stephen Ambrose and Doris Kearns Goodwin, – Kearns left television position and stepped down as Pulitzer Prize judge for “lifting” 50 passages for her 1987 book The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys (Lewis) Senator Joseph Biden dropped his 1987 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. (Sabato) – Copied in law school and borrowed from campaign speeches of Robert Kennedy Boston Globe journalist Mike Barnicle forced to resign for plagiarism in his columns (“Boston Columnist...”) Probe of plagiarism at UVA--45 students dismissed, 3 graduate degrees revoked – CNN Article AP. 26 Nov CNN Article – Channel One Article AP. 27 Nov Channel One Article SOURCE: LINK LINK

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Real life consequences: New York Times senior reporter Jayson Blair forced to resign after being accused of plagiarism and fraud. “The newspaper said at least 36 of the 73 articles he had written had problems with accuracy, calling the deception a "low point" in the newspaper's history.” “New York Times Exposes Fraud of Own Reporter.” ABC News Online. 12 May, SOURCE: LINK LINK

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Acknowledgements Grant funding sources. People who read the paper or contributed to discussion and/or ideas. People who gave tools Technical and secretarial assistance

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Summary

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC TheEnd CSC550, Devon M. Simmonds, Computer Science Department, University of North Carolina Wilmington ??????????????? CSC Q u e s t i o n s ?

Devon M. Simmonds Computer Science Department, CSC Works Cited by one source “Boston Columnist Resigns Amid New Plagiarism Charges.” CNN.com 19 Aug March 2003 Fain, Margaret. “Internet Paper Mills.” Kimbal Library. 12 Feb Lathrop, Ann and Kathleen Foss. Student Cheating and Plagiarism in the Internet Era. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Lewis, Mark. “Doris Kearns Goodwin And The Credibility Gap.” Forbes.com 2 Feb “ New York Times Exposes Fraud of own Reporter.” ABC News Online. 12 May, Sabato, Larry J. “Joseph Biden's Plagiarism; Michael Dukakis's 'Attack Video' – 1988.” Washington Post Online March LINK