6 June 2012 – Student Research Workshop – University of Westminster
Writing an Article
for an Academic Journal
Yes, you can
Dr Laura Niada, University of Westminster,
Finance, Law and Philosophy Journal
LN Consulting
Contents
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Choice of the topic
Outline
Research
Write (I)
Write (II)
Write (III)
Write (IV)
Conclusion (I)
Conclusion (II)
Choice of the topic
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Is it relevant?
Is it researchable?
Is it publishable?
Can I contribute with originality?
Do some preliminary reading on the
subject matter
▫ Identify the main literature
▫ Consider opportunities and challanges or
reserching this area
Outline
• What’s the paper about?
▫ Identify the problem, the research
question(s)
• Do a ‘brainstorm’, concept map
▫ This is the originality bit, your own
reasoning process
▫ Think out of the box – within
reasonable limits:
 Be logic
 Add ‘intelligence’ to the subject matter, be
interesting
• Draw the outline
Research
• Read
and
• Think
• Fill the outline
and
• Adjust the outline
Write (I)
• Get ready for a test
• Count the "F's" that are in the following text:
• FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI
FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.
• How many "F's" did you find?
Write (II)
• Most probably, wrong. There are 6 F's in the text
above.
• How is this possible? Apparently your brain doesn’t
process the word OF. Everyone that finds the six F's
at once is a genius. Three is normal, four is very
rare.
• So… when you write, be careful, self-critical,
‘objective’ – always think that you are writing for
your reader!
Write (III)
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ORDER
CLARITY
LOGIC
RICHNESS
▫ content
▫ information
▫ sources
• FLUENCY
• GRAMMAR and SYNTHAX
Write (IV)
• From
• To
Conclusion (I)
• Preparing an article takes a lot of time, energy and focus
• BUT
• It gives great satisfaction, CV boost, and virtually eternal
legacy…
• Remember:
Every man should plant a tree, have a child and write
a book to ensure a measure of immortality.
• Note: this quote is apocryphally attributed to the Chinese, the
Talmud, Margaret Fuller, José Martí and Picasso
• In fact... publishing is the best means to prove authorship of
your ideas!
• And, as the steps illustrated in this presentation demonstrate
• Yes, you can!!!
Conclusion (II)
• Lastly, a bit of promotion. The author of this
presentation, Dr Laura Niada, works as private tutor and
consultant at LN Consulting, www.lnconsulting.co.uk
• LN Consulting offers a range of services to help with
your academic endeavours including:
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Revision of essays, dissertations, PhD theses
Editorial work for publications
Proof-reading
One to One tutorials (London area)
• GOOD LUCK!!!