The anatomy of a journal article

Aston University, Birmingham11 September 2016

Features of a journal

•Is released regularly (eg two or three times a year)•Has a particular focus•Is intended to stimulate and develop discussion on a particular subject area•Is a means of disseminating research and findings among the academic community•Is peer reviewed•Is often controlled by a board of academics

Journal articles

An article for a journal will have some or all of the following elements:

•Abstract•Headings•Tables, figures and other illustrations•References and notes•Endmatter•Text!

First page

Title Subtitle

ContributorAttribution / contact detailsEmail

Abstract

Key words

Abstract

•Digested version of the article, giving:–aims–brief content–conclusion•Entry point for researchers•Basis for database and search engine indexes

Headings

Consider:

•House style•Hierarchy •Numbering•Cross-references

Tables

Checklist for tables:•Is it actually a table?

•Called out in text?

•Placemarker in text?

•Shows what the text says it does?

•Title explains it?

•Format of title?

•Rules?

•Column heads? Units?

•Column alignment?

•Logic of arrangement?

•Arithmetic?

•Notes?

•Source?

Figures and illustrations

Figures might include:

•Graphs•Photographs•Drawings•Music examplesThe journal might have particular guidelines about what constitutes a figure.

Captions

All figures and tables need captions and headings. Check:

•Numbering – consistent and complete•Relevant to the image•All necessary units and other information included•Source?

Fig. 10. Post-Caledonian faults parallel to the Møre–Trøndelag Fault Complex. … C Ramp-flat extensional fault with subsidiary fault arrays, clearly cutting the main foliation. The faults are characterized by red staining of feldspar, zeolite and thin zones of unconsolidated fault products. Pensive hippie for scale.

Other illustration considerationsHere are a few more things to think about:

•General– Authors to supply CRC, or sketch to be redrawn?– Format (eg 300 dpi)?– Have permissions been sought?

•Specific– Called out in the text?– Matches text description?– Photos: clear? need to be cropped? show anything they shouldn’t?– Graphs: axes labelled?– Any safety considerations?

References and notes

What are references for?

•To acknowledge sources•To build on previous research•To show that you have considered others’ viewsTypes of referencing

•Author–date (Harvard)•Short title (and variants, eg MLA)•Vancouver (and other numbered systems)

Author–date (Harvard) system

In brief:

•Citations given in text as author surname + date of publication•List of references given at end of articleCheck:

•All citations have a matching reference, and all references are cited in the text•Citations are presented consistently (house style)•References list is formatted consistently (house style)

Short-title system

In brief:

•Citations are given in footnotes or endnotes•Citation given in full at first appearance, with just the author surname and short title used consistently thereafterCheck:

•Position of note marker•Consistency of:

– short title used– formatting

Vancouver and numbered systems

In brief:

•Citations called out by superscript number (NB not note indicator)•References listed at the end, in the order they appear in the textCheck:

•Presentation of numbers in the text•Numbering matches reference list•Numbering runs in sequence from 1•Consistency of formatting

Endmatter

What might come at the end of an article?

•Appendices•Acknowledgements•References•List of further reading•Pro formas

Practical matters – workflow

Each journal will have its own procedures. Consider:

•Schedule•By the issue, or article bank?•Template provided?•Proofs – hard copy or onscreen markup?•Herding cats – proof dates and instructions for contributors

Practical matters – correspondence

Establish what your routes of communication are going to be:

•Queries – via the editorial board or direct to contributors?•Emails – who needs to be copied in to what?•Schedules – keep on top of datesTo finish with, and very important, is teamwork – develop good relationships with your editorial board, as you might be working with them for a long time.