CSC 550
Writing a Good
Research Paper
Devon M. Simmonds
Slides compiled from various sources including:
1. http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/artsci/depts/polisci/docs/PAPERWRITING.pd
2. LINK
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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Outline
• The paper writing process
• Sources for Computer Science research
• Paper format
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Introduction
Background
Related works
Research method
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Appendices
• Plagiarism
Main SOURCE:
http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/artsci/depts/polisci/docs/PAPERWRITING.pdf
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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The Paper Writing Process
• A partial state model
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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Sources for Computer Science
Research
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ACM Digital Library
IEEE Computer Society Digital Library
Academic Search Premier
ScienceDirect
etc.
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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Writing the paper
• Paper format
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Title
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Related work
Research method/Main sections
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Appendices
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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
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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, CSC550
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Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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Paper Formatting Styles
• Check the journal of conference for style
information/templates
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Font style/size
Title
Author list
Column requirement
Figures
Paper length
Citation/references
etc.
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the act of presenting the
words, ideas, images, sounds, or the
creative expression of others as your
own.
SOURCE: LINK
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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
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Careless paraphrasing
Poor documentation
Quoting excessively
Failure to use your own
“voice”
SOURCE: LINK
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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. 2001
SOURCE: LINK
– Channel One Article AP. 27 Nov. 2002
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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,
2003.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/newshour_index.html
SOURCE: LINK
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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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, CSC550
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Summary
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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CSC550, Devon M. Simmonds, Computer Science Department, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Q u
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CSC550 2010
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
The End
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Works Cited by one source LINK
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“Boston Columnist Resigns Amid New Plagiarism Charges.” CNN.com 19
Aug. 1998 3 March 2003 <http://www.cnn.com/US/9808/19/barnicle/>
Fain, Margaret. “Internet Paper Mills.” Kimbal Library. 12 Feb. 2003.
<http://www.coastal.edu/library/mills2.htm>
Lathrop, Ann and Kathleen Foss. Student Cheating and Plagiarism in the Internet
Era. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2000.
Lewis, Mark. “Doris Kearns Goodwin And The Credibility Gap.” Forbes.com
2 Feb. 2002. <http://www.forbes.com/2002/02/27/0227goodwin.html>
“New York Times Exposes Fraud of own Reporter.” ABC News Online.
12 May, 2003.
<http://www.pbs.org/newshour/newshour_index.html>
Sabato, Larry J. “Joseph Biden's Plagiarism; Michael Dukakis's 'Attack
Video' – 1988.” Washington Post Online. 1998. 3 March 2002.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/politics/special/clinton/frenzy/biden.htm>
Devon M. Simmonds
Computer Science Department, CSC550
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