Tips for Authors
Considering submitting a proposal to JPUR?
If you are considering submitting a proposal for a paper to JPUR for consideration, see the Journal's Policies page for information about how to format your proposal, how to submit it, the two publication opportunities in JPUR, and your rights as an author. Look at a sample abstract to see what elements your proposal should include. The Journal's FAQ provides answers to common questions for faculty advisors and student authors.
Writing the Abstract
The abstract should introduce the subject of the research and the contribution it makes to the wider world of knowledge. It should be approximately 250 words in length, and including the following core elements:
- Importance of the problem (What reason exists to conduct this study?)
- Unknown (What did you try to do? What were the study's hypotheses or questions?)
- Methodology (What did you do? What techniques were used?)
- Results and Analysis(What did you find? How was the data analyzed?)
- Conclusion (What conclusions were drawn from the analysis? Is additional work needed?)
Also realize that reviewers are looking for articles that are interesting and can be read to entertain. This being said, your abstract should also try to reflect the tone, while also presenting the facts.
Click here and here for examples and for more tips on writing effective abstracts.
Your proposal was accepted. Now what?
The information and links below provide tips and resources that can assist you in writing and proofreading your paper. Also, review the differences between full articles and research snapshots on the Policies page so you can best meet the formatting requirements for the type of publication you have been invited to submit.
While writing, keep in mind that the audiences for JPUR articles are peers who are students in a different field of study. Therefore, the language used in these articles should not be laden with jargon or technical language, but explained in terms as if you were teaching someone about the subject matter.
Writing a Scientific Paper
Visit this site to learn more about sections to include with examples.
Your Scientific Paper: Do's & Don'ts:
| Include | Avoid | |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract |
Purpose Research Problem Your Approach Results Implications of Your Research |
More than 500 Words |
| Introduction |
Problem Investigated (Including Past Research) Purpose of Research (What's unique to your study?) |
Personal Reasons for Conducting Study |
| Methodology |
Description of Participants Data Collection Protocol Data Analysis Techniques Materials Used |
Vague Information Redundant Information |
| Results |
Data Cleaning Processes (Outliers, Missing Values, etc.) Statistical Analyses Results That Relate to Research Questions |
Raw Data Redundancy Discussion \ Interpretation of Data Methodology |
| Conclusion |
Objective Interpretation of Findings Discussion |
Too Much Background Information Abbreviations and/or Colloquial Language |
APA Style
JPUR uses the American Psychological Association (APA) style for writing and for citing works.
For Writing Help
Purdue's Writing Lab provides one-on-one tutoring. Their website has a wealth of useful information related to citing and writing.
For Research Help
The Purdue Libraries can provide help with finding resources for your research online 24/7. You can consult with a librarian who specializes in your subject area.
Summer Research Opportunities
If you are an undergraduate interested in doing research, a good place to start may be a summer research program.