1. 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

2. Two parts
I A scientific paper
II Your SDI paper

3. Part I A scientific paper

4. Content
Introduction
Elements of a Paper
Final Remarks/Summary

5. 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”

6. IJSDIR

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

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

9. 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?

10. 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

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

12. (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

13. Example
Source: Kok, 2014

14. 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

15. Example
Source: Ningal et al., 2008

16. 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

17. 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

18. Example
Source: Weitkamp et al., 2014

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

20. Example
Source: Ningal et al., 2008

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

22. 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!

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

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

25. 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

26. Outline
Requirements
Assessment
Selecting a topic
Tips

27. 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

28. 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

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

30. 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)

31. 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

32. 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

33. Questions?