Introduction Why we do it? To disseminate research To report a new result; To report a new technique; To critique/confirm another's result. Each discipline follows roughly the same conventions. Outline Writing a paper Types of Papers Submissions Paper Structure Submission Requirements The Journal report is a formal document reporting on one of the experiments you have done so far.

Writing a Paper The process by which this is achieved is varied, but in every situation it involves the conversion of material from a log book into a more highly structured format. LOG BOOK PAPER Chronological (diary format) Chronological (diary format) Little structure Little structure No literature review No literature review Highly structured Highly structured Contains all relevant Information Contains all relevant Information Better English Better English Looks nicerer Looks nicerer

Types of papers Letter A short paper which reports on a major result, with possible connections to related fields Rapid Communication Similar to a letter but for a more specialised audience Regular article The standard paper. All details of the work are given here – Your Journal Report Brief Report A short paper with a result more as an extension of a Regular Article or something noteworthy that doesn't fit into the other categories Comment A comment on another author's published work Review A monster paper which reviews the field over a number of years

Every paper goes through this review process. Referees Edit Rebut Appeal  Journal Publisher Submission Process

The sections in a paper Structure Title Title Author list and affiliations Author list and affiliations Abstract Abstract Introduction, including background Introduction, including background Methods used, either experimental or theoretical Methods used, either experimental or theoretical Results Results Analysis and Discussion Analysis and Discussion Conclusions and summary Conclusions and summary Acknowledgements and References Acknowledgements and References The middle sections can be varied depending on the information being presented.

The abstract: A brief overall summary of the main points addressed and answered in the text. The title and abstract summarise the contents of the Paper. This is the first bit a reader reads and must relate directly to the letter's content. It is the LAST part usually written. The First Page Title Author list Main text

The Introduction The introduction sets the story for the physics to follow. Any background information is covered at this point, such as Aims (Why the work is important) Previous work Relevance to related areas (examples of real world applications)

Experiment The Experimental Procedure describes the actual experimental process and how the data was collected. For the journal report only a very brief discussion of procedures is required. ie one diagram

Main Text Relevant discussion, tables, figure(s), pertinent to the aims and ideas set out in the introduction. This section is as much about what to leave out as to what to put in. For Your Journal Report: Only the most important results are presented (i.e. 2 graphs). No details of error analysis, just error bars on graphs and errors on numbers (1 significant figure!).

Conclusion A report's conclusion is generally short, and summarizes the paper. It presents every general conclusion found as a result of the work. It answers every aim given in the introduction.

References Contact information References ALL relevant references referred to in the document are given here. For the Journal Report, All material from the web (or anywhere else) is to be referenced.

In Summary Papers are about the dissemination of information, be it a new result, new technique, comment on previous work, or any combination thereof. Papers come in various forms, depending on what the author wishes to impart. Papers are as much about what to leave out as to what to put in. Authors must be prepared to defend their work, but also admit mistakes in light of new evidence and in good faith. Almost all papers are peer-reviewed: they are scrutinised by others before publication.

Problems? Please don’t hesitate to contact myself, or speak to any of your demonstrators!

YOUR Journal Report No more than 12 pages, ideally much less Times Roman 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing MSWord only* DUE: Midnight on Thursday 28th May (almost last day of term) SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY: FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: ormation *exceptions can be made for mac and linux users!