Writing research papers (Last minute check list)

 As researchers, we always have to keep in mind few important common checks that we verify while writing the research papers. I am listing few of my important findings here for researchers new to this field. I must start with the reference to the most useful link I found from Prof. Dr. Felix Nauman from Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Softwaresystemtechnik. The link is as follows:


http://www.hpi.uni-potsdam.de/naumann/mitarbeiter/felix_naumann/writing


He listed few important checks for research papers. I am getting benefit from this link on my every research paper. Now I list few of my personal experiences below:


    * Make sure you use et al. for only more then 2 authors paper
    * Term are abbreviated only on their first usage
    * Check for confused words

          o Then (Time), than (Comparison)
          o There (location, condition, situation), Their (possession)
          o etc.

    * Make sure first character is Capital for important terms like Information Systems
    * Check section numbering
    * Make sure all figures caption are sentence case
    * Make sure web links are working correctly (Beware of special characters)
    * Check bibtex for consistency

          o Use software’s like JabRef for managing bibtex

    * Proof read the text for articles

For any research paper, we should be able to answer following question:


(1) what is the general problem (area)?

(2) Why is it important?

(3) What specific problem (in the general area) are you working on?

(4) Why is its solution important?

(5) Why does solving the specific problem worthy of?


I got these questions from my colleague Sven, and he got them from one of his supervisors. I liked them and I try to answer them for each of my research deliverable.