Writing The Writing The Scientific Scientific

Research PaperResearch Paper

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

Papers not following Papers not following these guidelines will these guidelines will be disqualified.be disqualified.

This information This information can be obtained can be obtained

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

I. LengthI. Length

LengthLengthThe text (Abstract, The text (Abstract, Introduction, Methods Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, and Materials, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Discussion, Conclusion, and Literature Cited) is and Literature Cited) is restricted to twelve restricted to twelve (12) pages (12) pages

LengthLengthdouble-spaced on one double-spaced on one side of 8 1/2" by 11" side of 8 1/2" by 11" (21.3cm by 27.5cm) (21.3cm by 27.5cm) paper, including paper, including analysis of data and analysis of data and illustrations.illustrations.

LengthLengthWhen additional When additional data, charts/graphs, data, charts/graphs, or illustrations are or illustrations are desired, they may be desired, they may be placed in placed in appendices. appendices.

The paper plus the The paper plus the appendices may appendices may not exceed twenty not exceed twenty (20) pages. (20) pages.

LengthLengthThis limit does not This limit does not include the three VJAS include the three VJAS cover forms (Pages cover forms (Pages ONE, TWO, and THREE) ONE, TWO, and THREE) and the and the Mentor/Certified Use Mentor/Certified Use Form. Form.

LengthLengthSections of the paper Sections of the paper should immediately should immediately follow one another follow one another rather than starting rather than starting on a separate page. on a separate page.

LengthLength

Do NOT include a title Do NOT include a title page. The Student page. The Student Entry Form will be Entry Form will be used in its place.used in its place.

Please Note!Please Note!

Papers not following Papers not following these guidelines will these guidelines will be disqualified.be disqualified.

II. FormatII. Format

FormatFormatThere shall be no There shall be no more than twelve more than twelve characters per characters per inch.inch.

FormatFormatFont shall be no smaller Font shall be no smaller than 12 pt. font using than 12 pt. font using one of the following one of the following print fonts - Helvetica, print fonts - Helvetica, Times, Courier, or Times, Courier, or Geneva will be Geneva will be accepted.accepted.

FormatFormatDo not change font Do not change font size. size.

Margins shall be not Margins shall be not less than 1" (2.5 cm) less than 1" (2.5 cm) on all sides of all pages on all sides of all pages INCLUDING appendices. INCLUDING appendices.

FormatFormatDot matrix printers Dot matrix printers are acceptable if are acceptable if letter quality type is letter quality type is used. used.

Do not use draft Do not use draft mode. mode.

FormatFormat

All copies must be dark All copies must be dark enough to photocopy.enough to photocopy.

Please Note!Please Note!

Papers not following Papers not following these guidelines will these guidelines will be disqualified.be disqualified.

III. Literature III. Literature CitationCitation

Literature Literature CitationsCitationsAll references must All references must

be properly cited in be properly cited in the paper. When the paper. When information belongs to information belongs to others, they must be others, they must be given proper credit. given proper credit.

Literature CitedLiterature CitedFailure to do so is Failure to do so is plagiarism. plagiarism.

Literature CitedLiterature CitedConsult Consult thetheVirginia Journal Virginia Journal of Science of Science to to examine current examine current practice. practice.

Literature CitedLiterature CitedGive author’s last Give author’s last name and year in name and year in parentheses (Wagner, parentheses (Wagner, 1988) for in-text 1988) for in-text citations (use citations (use et alet al. if . if more than two authors) more than two authors)

Literature CitedLiterature CitedDo not use Do not use et alet al. in . in the Literature Cited the Literature Cited part of paper (all part of paper (all authors names must authors names must be included).be included).

Literature CitedLiterature CitedFootnotes are NOT Footnotes are NOT used in scientific used in scientific papers for citation. See papers for citation. See the “VJAS Style the “VJAS Style Manual” on the web for Manual” on the web for examples.examples.

Please Note!Please Note!

Papers not following Papers not following these guidelines will these guidelines will be disqualified.be disqualified.

IV. Mechanics of IV. Mechanics of the Paperthe Paper

Mechanics of the Mechanics of the PaperPaper

Should be conciseShould be conciseWritten in third person past Written in third person past tense except in tense except in Mathematics, Statistics, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science and Computer Science which may be written in which may be written in first person present tense. first person present tense.

Mechanics of the Mechanics of the PaperPaper

Proper grammar, Proper grammar, sentence structure, sentence structure, and punctuation and punctuation should be used should be used throughout the paper. throughout the paper.

Mechanics of the Mechanics of the PaperPaper

Appropriately labeled Appropriately labeled drawings or figures drawings or figures should be neatly should be neatly prepared in black ink, prepared in black ink, suitable or publication. suitable or publication.

Mechanics of the Mechanics of the PaperPaper

Color figures ARE Color figures ARE NOT acceptable.NOT acceptable.

All photographs All photographs should be black and should be black and white originals.white originals.

Mechanics of the Mechanics of the PaperPaper

After the paper has been After the paper has been edited and rewritten by edited and rewritten by the student, it should be the student, it should be submitted to a science submitted to a science teacher for review and teacher for review and suggestions. suggestions.

Mechanics of the Mechanics of the PaperPaper

In addition, the In addition, the papers should be papers should be reviewed by an reviewed by an English teacher and/or English teacher and/or consulting scientist.consulting scientist.

Please Note!Please Note!

Papers not following Papers not following these guidelines will these guidelines will be disqualified.be disqualified.

V. QuantityV. Quantity

QuantityQuantity

Five (5) clear copies of the Five (5) clear copies of the paper (the original and paper (the original and four (4) must be submitted four (4) must be submitted to the VJAS for review. to the VJAS for review.

QuantityQuantity

Each of them must Each of them must include form pages 1, include form pages 1, 2, and 3 and the 2, and 3 and the certification page.certification page.

QuantityQuantityIdentify the original Identify the original copy by writing copy by writing “ORIGINAL” in the “ORIGINAL” in the middle of the top of middle of the top of the Student Entry the Student Entry Form in RED.Form in RED.

QuantityQuantity

Copies of the papers Copies of the papers will NOT be returned will NOT be returned so it is important that so it is important that you retain a copy for you retain a copy for your personal use.your personal use.

QuantityQuantityStudents applying for Students applying for special awards must special awards must submit a copy of the submit a copy of the paper with each special paper with each special award application.award application.

Please Note!Please Note!

Papers not following Papers not following these guidelines will these guidelines will be disqualified.be disqualified.

This information This information can be obtained can be obtained

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