So, as for paper writing, unfortunately, I’ve lost the data. Well, I suppose I still had chance to re-download it from the awful website, but with this chance, I gotta say that maybe I can review the instruction from Dr. Can.

Paper writing

I. Facts

Generally, there are 7 parts in a paper.

  • Title
  • Abstract
  • Introduction / Literature Review (Backgraound)
  • Method
  • Result / Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Reference

Within which, the method, result, and conclusion is the most important.

Thus, it is recommend that to write in the following order

  1. Method
  2. Result / Discussion
  3. Conclusion
  4. Introduction / Literature Review
  5. Abstract & Title
  6. Reference.

It’s clear that the most important thing is to confirm the method.

To note, for a reviewer / editor, your figures and charts should be appealing.

II. Introduction

I found this irritating to write one. Not sure if it’s due to the requirements or it’s just that I’m not good at this.

Introduction answers two problems. One is “What is the research”, and the other is Motivation. It has to be within logic. Contribution is the key.

  • Background information
    • Data
    • Statement
    • Phenomenon
    • It gets smaller
  • Literature review
    • Other results
    • Potential blanks
  • Thesis statement

Well, the more you read, the better you write.
Some tips are:

  1. Choose some recent paper to cite
  2. Proper citation
  3. A good graph (maybe)
  4. It should be like 10%.

III. Methodology

When it comes with paper, method is the first thing that one should confirm. It is hard to write exact contribution in it.

A theoretical one should obtain procedures and a proof should contain investigation method, or data processing.

For application, one should specify how writer get the results, that is, the results can be re-produced. e.g. mathematical modelling, simulation results.

In order to achieve this, you should provide ample and accurate technical details, including hypothesis, solving, verification, and equipment. Words should be simple and explicit. Orders are not identical to the real thinking process.

For typical controller design, it could be:

  • Mathematical model
  • Controller design
  • Stability analysis
  • Equipment

The notations should be consistent. You may introduce NOMENCLATURE at the beginning. When they’re first introduced, make sure descriptions are added.

IV. Result & Discussion

Express things properly makes huge difference. Things takes time. You need more reading and writing, and practicing.

A valid template could be

  • Describe results
    • Charts
    • Language
    • Quantities
    • Judgements
  • Analysis
    • Demonstrate
    • Comparison
  • Discussion
    • Critical thinking
      • Meaning
      • Future
      • Guesses

V. Figure & Table

This could be the first thing that a reviewer may check.

  1. Author’s Guide, check template, figure number, Caption positions, abbr. or not.
  2. Every one of them should be cited.
  3. Refer to number, not position.
  4. Consistency
  5. Chart should be self-explanatory
  6. Multiple data should add legends( And words if grey)
  7. Sub-captions explained in main caption
  8. Preserve original data

VI. Conclusion, abstract and title

Conclusion

  • 1-2 paragraph, but do not repeat results.
  • Discover, Extension and future plan (a summary to the discussion)
  • Consider Thesaurus
  • Emphasis contribution, and corresponds with introduction

Abstract

  • Key points selected from intro.
  • 1-2 sentence about method
  • The most important results.
  • Rewrite contribution.

Title

  • Topic
  • Method
  • Result (improve/reduce)

VII. Communication with reviewers

  • Keep a good mind (rest one day)
  • They’re not your enemies
  • Respond To each comment
  • Explicitly demonstrate modifications
  • Show gratitude, do not directly deny their suggestions.