Spatial Data Infrastructure GRS-21306 11/05/2018 Spatial Data Infrastructure GRS-21306 Paper writing Arnold Bregt pres. 2005/2006-I: by Ron van Lammeren

Two parts I A scientific paper II Your SDI paper

Part I A scientific paper

Content Introduction Elements of a Paper Final Remarks/Summary

Introduction Publications are essential for your future career Writing publications (or thesis) is difficult You can learn it (it is a skill not an art) “easy reading is hard writing” “tell a scientific story”

IJSDIR

Elements of a paper Title Abstract Introduction (Materials) and Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

Title Shortest summary of your paper Attracts attention for your work Put the most important words at the beginning

Title papers (exercise) Title 1: Open data policies, their implementation and impact: A framework for comparison Title 2: A stakeholder-based assessment framework applied to evaluate development scenarios for the spatial data infrastructure for Flanders Title 3: Spatial Data Infrastructures: Hype or Hit?

Introduction From general to specific Statements about the topic (context topic or problem) Aspects already studied (with references to others) Aspects not studied or know (with references) Selection of research niche Goal of the paper

Introduction Main problem: selection of research topic TIP: make is small and concrete

(Materials and) Methods How was the work done? The method must be a scientific method Transparent Objective Reproducible TIP: Use are much as possible existing methods and procedures TIP: Most critical section of a paper

Example Source: Kok, 2014

Results (Sometimes combined with Discussion) Presentation of the results in a few Figures and Tables Do not present all findings (only the most important ones What are the most striking results (highlight results) TIP: Take the reader by the hand

Example Source: Ningal et al., 2008

Discussion (A restatement of the main findings) Explanations of the findings (supported by literature) Limitations of the study Implications of the study Personal TIP: Limit is to a few main discussion points

Conclusions Repeat the overall objective of you paper Formulate the answers/main findings Suggestion for further research TIP: Keep it short and to the point

Example Source: Weitkamp et al., 2014

References Always follow the guidelines of the journal TIP: Check them for completeness and correctness!

Example Source: Ningal et al., 2008

Abstract Some backgroud information Scope of the study Some info on the method Most important results Conclusion and recommendation

Final remarks/Summary Follow the agreed structure for scientific papers Study good examples Keep the objective limited Pay amble attention to a clear scientific method!

Final remak Paper writing is difficult (even for experienced scientists) All scientists have some of their papers rejected Essential skill for your future career!

Further reading Cargill, M and P. O’ Conner, 2009. Writing scientific research Articles, Strategy and steps. Wiley-Blackwell. The unofficial guide for authors (or how to produce research articles worth citing) (google)

Spatial Data Infrastructure GRS-21306 11/05/2018 Spatial Data Infrastructure GRS-21306 II Your SDI paper Arnold Bregt pres. 2005/2006-I: by Ron van Lammeren

Outline Requirements Assessment Selecting a topic Tips

Requirements Individual paper About 2000 - 3000 words (6 - 10 pages) Topic related to domain of Spatial Data Infrastructures Select your own topic Use a journal template

Assessment Independent assessment (Lukasz and Arnold) Compare marks, in case of a difference of 0.5 discussion Criteria: Objective, research method, results related to the method, discussion, the use of scientific references

Selecting a topic Personal interest Keep it focussed Formulate one question or objective Can you formulate a clear research method for your question?

Past topics See example on SDI web Popular topics: SDI for....... (climate modelling, water management, green infrastructure, etc) SDI of ....... (Nepal, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, etc) Assessment of aspects of SDIs (organization, status, etc)

Past topics New technologies: Voluntary geographic information MASHUPs 3D Evaluation of data/technologies/standards: Standards used Comparison of technologies (in a few selected SDI’s) Quality of topographic data in SDI Data formats

Tips See it as a small research project (few days data collection) Collect data systematically Present results in the form of tables or figures Discuss the results Use references Select and innovative topic

Questions?