This document provides instructions on how to write a technical research paper and publish it in a scientific journal. It discusses choosing a topic and narrowing it, creating an outline, avoiding plagiarism by paraphrasing sources, including a bibliography, and proofreading. The key steps are choosing a narrow topic, writing an introduction sentence stating the main argument, explaining the differences between primary and secondary sources, learning how to paraphrase properly, and editing the paper by fact checking citations and references.

1. How to publish a technical paper
in SCI Journals ?
Dr. N. SELVAKUMAR, M.E., Ph.D., FIE.,
Senior Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi
E mail: nselva@mepcoeng.ac.in
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2. Benefits of a good Research
• Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, self confidence and
intellectual independence.
• Meeting challenges and demonstrating the ability to complete.
• Discovering personal interests.
• Developing internal standards of excellence.
• Promotes an innovation-oriented culture.
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3. Writing a Research Paper
 Choosing Your Topic
• Narrowing Your Topic
 Writing a technical paper
 Creating an Outline
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4. • Breadth. You may need to start broad and let your research take you
narrower.
• Originality. Choose a topic that will allow you to contribute to the
field, rather than just regurgitate facts.
• Sources. On the other hand, also choose a topic that has scholarly
grounding.
Choosing Your Topic
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5. Why do literature search?
• Avoid unwitting duplication of research
• Wasted time, effort & funds
• Plagiarism issues
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6. • Focus on a specific TYPE or CLASS
• Focus on a particular PLACE or REGION
• Focus on a certain TIME PERIOD
• Focus on a certain ASPECT
o Social, medical, biological, psychological, economic, technology etc.
• Focus on a specific POPULATION
o Gender, age, occupation etc.
• Focus on a RELATIONSHIP with two or more topics
• COMBINE different kinds of focuses
Narrowing Your Topic
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7. Tips: Use journalistic questions: who?, what?, when?, where?, why?
Review recent literature (Journals, technical books etc.)
Recall questions asked in class.
Apply your paper to your career goals.
Talk to your Supervisor.
Narrowing Your Topic
Consider this illustration:
If your topic is narrow, you can deal with it in depth. If your topic is
broad, you will deal with it only in a shallow way.
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8. Writing Abstract
 The abstract is like an outline in miniature. It is a “roadmap” for the rest of the
paper.
 Abstract gives brief mention to each of the paper’s main points, and it also
states the overall argument the writer wishes to make.
 It directly answers the question asked of you.
 It makes a claim that others might dispute.
 It is usually a single sentence near the end of the paragraph that presents your
argument to the reader.
 Normally this has to be prepared after completing the manuscript.
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9. Identifying a Strong Statement
• Do I answer the question?
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose?
• Does my paper pass the "So what?" test?
• Does my essay support my paper specifically and without wandering?
• Does my paper pass the "how and why?" test?
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10. The Writing Process
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11. • Aids in the process of writing
• Helps you organize your ideas
• Presents your material in a logical form
• Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing
• Constructs an ordered overview of your writing
• Defines boundaries and groups
• Prevents you from “straying” from the topic
Benefits of an Outline
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12. • Research: Perform initial research to learn about your chosen topic.
• Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.
• Organize: Group related ideas together.
• Order: Arrange material in subsections from general to specific or from
abstract to concrete.
• Label: Create main and sub headings.
Creating an Outline
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13. • Begin early! A strong, detailed outline is a crucial step of the writing process.
• Refer to your outline often. A strong outline provides a consistent backbone
during the writing process.
• Be as specific as possible. This will be your guide throughout the entire writing
process. Avoid having too many subheadings. This may indicate that you can
further narrow the topic of your paper.
• Don’t be afraid to change your outline. Further research may provide
additional information or counterpoints.
• Allow yourself enough time to make changes. Attempting a complete
overhaul of your paper the night before it’s due is both frustrating and often
futile.
Outline Tips
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14. Where Do I Begin?
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15. Draft:
You will learn how to choose a topic.
• Depends on the length of your paper, choose a narrower topic for a short
paper, and a broader topic for a longer paper.
You will learn how to write a Introduction.
• One sentence that summarizes what your paper is about, or what you are
trying to prove (Last sentence of your introduction).
You will learn how to explain the differences between a primary and secondary
source.
You will be able to understand the difference between plagiarism and acceptable
paraphrasing.
You will be able to learn how to edit your paper, and make necessary changes.
You will learn how to use “parenthetical notations.”
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16. Step-by-step instructions on
how to write a research paper
The topic
The thesis or introductory statement
The outline
Selecting and analyzing sources & selecting websites
Compiling information on index cards or in Microsoft Word
Plagiarizing, paraphrasing and direct quoting
Bibliography & the proper format
Proof reading & the cover page
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17. You should also have:
1. A note-taking handout. As we go through the assignment,
take notes, or write down any questions you have
2. A sample outline
3. Examples of plagiarizing vs. paraphrasing
I’ve just
stolen
other
author’s
work!
“Plagiarizer”
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18. Overview:
How to write your research paper: Follow these
instructions step-by-step!
1. Your outline should be written before you start your paper. It organizes your
thoughts and creates a plan so you know how your paper will look.
2. Your introduction statement tells the audience what you will explain in your paper.
It will let the audience know what to expect from reading your paper.
3. You are required to use a minimum of three sources. You must have at least one
book, one website, and one encyclopedia (online or book format).
*No wikipedia.org; mtv.com; or youtube.com unless by official permission.
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19. Paraphrase!!!
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20. Direct quote from research:
“Japan’s beautiful Mount Fuji last erupted in 1707 and is now classified as
dormant. Dormant volcanoes show no signs of activity, but they may erupt in the
future.”
Non-plagiarized paraphrase:
Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, is actually a dormant volcano.
Dormant means that it is not active. The last time Mount Fuji erupted was in 1707,
and there is always the possibility of a future eruption.
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Plagiarism v. Paraphrasing

21. “How do I QUOTE an author?”
 If you quote an author, insert “quotation
marks” around the text you are using.
 At the end of the quotation, parenthetical
notations are needed.
 Simply write the quote and then put the
author’s name:
(Williamson)
 You will cite the entire source when you get to
the bibliography page of your paper.
“I WILL NOT
PLAGIARIZE I
WILL PUT MY
PAPER INTO MY
OWN WORDS.”
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22. Bibliography or Works Cited Page
1. At the end of your paper you will include a bibliography or works cited page.
2. This gives the authors of your sources credit for their work.
3. In your packet you will find sample bibliography entries for various sources.
4. Sources should be in alphabetical order and double spaced.
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23. Proofread, Proofread, & Proofread!!!
1. Are all words spelled correctly? (Use a paper or online dictionary is unsure!)
2. Did I capitalize the beginning of each sentence and all proper nouns?
3. Did I punctuate correctly?
4. Do I use grammar correctly?
5. Did I answer all of the topic questions, and fulfill all of the requirements on my
rubric.
6. Did I include an introduction and conclusion?
7. Did I type the paper using the correct font type, size, line spacing and margin
requirements?
8. Did I paraphrase all content?
9. Did I use parenthetical notations for quotes?
10. Do my sentences make sense when read aloud?
11. Have I had my paper peer edited?
12. Does my paper flow well?
13. Did I include a bibliography page? 23

24. Concept of Citations
 Citations symbolize the conceptual association of scientific ideas as
recognized by publishing research authors.
 By the references they cite in their papers, authors make explicit linkages
between their current research and prior work in the archive of scientific
literature.
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25. Distinction between
"citation" and "reference"
 If Paper R contains a bibliographic footnote using and describing Paper
C, then
• R contains a reference to C,
• C has a citation from R.
 The number of references a paper has is measured by the number of items
in its bibliography as endnotes, footnotes, etc.,
 The number of citations a paper has is found by looking it up [in a]
citation index and seeing how many others papers mention it."
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26. [6] The concept of citation indexing: A unique and
innovative tool for navigating the research
literature. Current Contents, January 3, 1994.
…..To start, it is important to clarify the
terminological distinction between
"citation“[6] and "reference". In his classic
book Little Science, Big Science, Derek
Price gave a clear definition of both terms.
He said: "It seems to me a great pity to
waste a good technical term by using the
words citation and reference
interchangeably. I therefore propose and
adopt the convention that if Paper R
contains a bibliographic footnote using and
describing Paper C, then R contains…
Paper C
Paper R
Little science, big science...and beyond.
This is my first Current Contents® (CC®) essay
under the rubric of Citation Comments. As
discussed in last week's CC, this new monthly
feature will focus on the applications of the
Institute for Scientific Information's (ISI's)
databases. 1 An appropriate topic to launch this
new series is perhaps the most rudimentary -- the
basic concept of citation indexing.
To start, it is important to clarify the
terminological distinction between "citation" and
"reference". In his classic book Little Science, Big
Science, Derek Price gave a clear definition of both
terms. He said: "It seems to me a great pity to
waste a good technical term by using the words
citation and reference interchangeably. I therefore
propose and adopt the convention that if Paper R
contains a bibliographic footnote using and
describing Paper C, then R contains a.
R contains a reference to C,
C has a citation from R.
1) Paper X
2) Paper Y
3) Paper R
4) Paper Q
Paper C
Citation Index
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27. Citation Indexing
 A citation index indexes the citations an article makes,
linking the article with cited works.
 Originally designed mainly for literature search for
researchers to find subsequent articles that cite a given
article.
 Invented by Dr. Eugene Garfield
 Example of a Citation Indexing Firm - Institute for
Scientific Information ® (ISI)
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28. Web of Knowledge
 ISI Web of Knowledge®, a dynamic, integrated, Web-based
environment
 ISI Web of Science® provides access to
• Science Citation Index (over 3,200 journals )
• Social Sciences Citation Index (1400 journals)
• Arts & Humanities Citation Index
 Updated weekly.
 Journals from 1986 is available
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29. Institute for Scientific
Information® (ISI)
 Index the linkages by listing both the cited and citing works.
 The ISI® databases
• Science Citation Index® (SCI®)
• Social Sciences Citation Index® (SSCI®)
• Arts & Humanities Citation Index® (A&HCI®)
 Multidisciplinary. They cover virtually all disciplines whereas
traditional indexing and abstracting services are limited to a single
field.
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30. Whom will get a high weightage!!!
 If the technical paper is innovative and seems to be possible by the
author.
 If the author possess Journal papers with high impact factor &
citations in the applied field.
 If he/she possess some teaching or research experience in the field
of proposed work.
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31. Finished!!! You did it!!!
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