The Research The Research PaperPaper

Due: November 1Due: November 1stst

This information This information can be obtained can be obtained

online at online at www.vjas.orgwww.vjas.org

THE PAPER COMPONENTSTHE PAPER COMPONENTS

The AbstractThe Abstract

AbstractAbstractConsists of Consists of

concise statements of the concise statements of the research objective, research objective, approach, key results, approach, key results, and conclusions. and conclusions.

AbstractAbstractIt must not exceed one (1) It must not exceed one (1) standard page, double-standard page, double-spaced.spaced.

AbstractAbstractDo not use citations Do not use citations in the abstract or in the abstract or

Do not refer to any Do not refer to any other part of the other part of the paper.paper.

AbstractAbstract

The twelve (12) The twelve (12) allowable text pages allowable text pages begin with this page.begin with this page.

The IntroductionThe Introduction

IntroductionIntroductionIncludes a brief review of Includes a brief review of current and related current and related literature with an literature with an explanation of the explanation of the writer’s interest in the writer’s interest in the subject. subject.

IntroductionIntroduction

the problemthe problem

concise objectivesconcise objectives

identification of identification of variablesvariables

the hypothesisthe hypothesis

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

This section explainsThis section explainsthe equipmentthe equipment

SuppliesSupplies

MethodsMethods

employed in the research. employed in the research.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and MaterialsThe materials used The materials used should be incorporated should be incorporated in the description of in the description of the procedures the procedures RATHER than in list RATHER than in list format. format.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

All procedures should All procedures should be sufficientlybe sufficiently detaileddetailed

and clearly stated to and clearly stated to allow duplication of the allow duplication of the experiment. experiment.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

Standard techniques, Standard techniques, appropriately referenced, appropriately referenced, may be included without may be included without providing details. providing details.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

Specialized Specialized techniques should techniques should be presented be presented concisely.concisely.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and MaterialsA description of A description of equipment unique to the equipment unique to the experiment or which was experiment or which was built specifically for use built specifically for use in this research should in this research should be included. be included.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and MaterialsThe number of organisms The number of organisms (sample size), (sample size), experimental replications, experimental replications, and/or type of statistical and/or type of statistical analysis should be analysis should be included. included.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

Description of Description of experimental design experimental design should be in text should be in text form.form.

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

Chart form is Chart form is placed in the placed in the appendix.appendix.

ResultsResults

ResultsResults

Contains only information Contains only information obtained as a result of the obtained as a result of the investigation or investigation or experimentation. experimentation.

ResultsResults

Results of statistical Results of statistical analysis are included analysis are included here.here.

ResultsResults

Raw data should be Raw data should be summarized and summarized and presented verbally presented verbally (paragraphs) (paragraphs)

ResultsResults

as well as pictorially as well as pictorially (graphs) and (graphs) and numerically (charts or numerically (charts or tables), as appropriate.tables), as appropriate.

ResultsResults

Raw data, if vital to the Raw data, if vital to the paper, should be paper, should be placed in an appendix.placed in an appendix.

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

contains an interpretation of contains an interpretation of the results.the results.

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

Comparisons to other Comparisons to other research should be research should be made with appropriate made with appropriate literature citations.literature citations.

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

An evaluation of the An evaluation of the success success

possible procedural possible procedural improvementsimprovements

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

suggestions for future suggestions for future scientific studies scientific studies

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

Logic and the application Logic and the application of laws, principles, and of laws, principles, and theories are used to draw theories are used to draw conclusions. conclusions.

Discussion and Discussion and ConclusionConclusion

The conclusions are The conclusions are clearly and concisely clearly and concisely stated and the hypothesis stated and the hypothesis is either accepted or is either accepted or rejected.rejected.

Literature CitedLiterature Cited

Literature CitedLiterature CitedThis is NOT a This is NOT a bibliography. bibliography.

This section is a list of all This section is a list of all BooksBooks

Literature CitedLiterature CitedPublications, andPublications, andcommunications communications

from which significant from which significant materials were cited in materials were cited in the paper. the paper.

Literature CitedLiterature CitedThere should be a There should be a minimum of three minimum of three references. references.

Each reference must be Each reference must be cited at least once in the cited at least once in the paper.paper.

Literature CitedLiterature Cited

The listing is The listing is alphabetical by the last alphabetical by the last name of the first author name of the first author of a citation. of a citation.

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLITERATURE CITATIONS LITERATURE CITATIONS FROM WEB SOURCES FROM WEB SOURCES ARE NO LONGER ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. Literature ACCEPTABLE. Literature Cited is the last Cited is the last component of the paper component of the paper (Page 12).(Page 12).

Literature CitedLiterature Cited

ExampleExample

McCaffrey, Cheryl A. and McCaffrey, Cheryl A. and Raymond D. Dueser. 1990. Raymond D. Dueser. 1990. Plant associations of the Plant associations of the Virginia barrier islands. Virginia barrier islands. Va.J.Sci.41:282-299.Va.J.Sci.41:282-299.

Literature CitedLiterature Cited

ExampleExample

Spry, A. 1969. Spry, A. 1969. Metamorphic Textures. Metamorphic Textures. Pergamon Press, New Pergamon Press, New York. 350pp.York. 350pp.

Literature CitedLiterature Cited

For other examples see For other examples see the “VJAS STYLE the “VJAS STYLE MANUAL” found on the MANUAL” found on the web.web.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

The writer gives credit for The writer gives credit for special assistance special assistance received from scientists received from scientists or other sources, stating or other sources, stating specifically what specifically what assistance was providedassistance was provided

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

For example:For example:someone who ran someone who ran statistical analysis, statistical analysis, someone who injected someone who injected animals, etc.).animals, etc.).

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Do not include any Do not include any identification of the identification of the student researcher.student researcher.

AppendixAppendix

AppendixAppendix

Contains raw data too Contains raw data too lengthy to include in the lengthy to include in the results section of the text results section of the text but important for an but important for an understanding of the understanding of the entire paper. entire paper.

AppendixAppendixThe appendix could The appendix could include data tables,include data tables,graphsgraphschartschartsIllustrationsIllustrationspictures. pictures.

AppendixAppendix

All materials in this All materials in this section must meet the section must meet the same requirements as the same requirements as the text of the paper.text of the paper.

AppendixAppendix

Experimental Experimental design format, if design format, if used, is to be used, is to be placed hereplaced here

This information can This information can be obtained online at be obtained online at

www.vjas.orgwww.vjas.org

Good Luck!Good Luck!Help from Ms. Banks Help from Ms. Banks

will be by appointment will be by appointment only.only.