Advice for Student Authors
How to Organize Your Research Article

Editorial Staff
American Journal of Undergraduate Research
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0150 USA

ABSTRACT

General information about article organization is presented. Questions about equation placement, chart or graph usage, figure placement, and bibliographic style are answered. Information about how a paper is reviewed is discussed, and steps for submitting a research paper are outlined.

I. ORGANIZATION

You may organize your research article as you and your research supervisor agree is best, but some form of Introduction is encouraged. Students who are not familiar with your topic will need some background. Make sure you provide some introductory or general references for your research topic. The research articles in this issue provide a spectrum of ways in which topics can be organized.

II. EQUATIONS, FIGURES, AND GRAPHS

Equations, figures and graphs will be printed can appear within a single column (of the two-column format) or can be placed across the entire page. Equations are not normally numbered unless they are referenced later in the article. Make sure that the labels on your figures and graphs will be large enough to be read when reduced during publication. See the current issue for examples.

III. BIBLIOGRAPHIC STYLES

You can use whichever bibliographic style your supervisor suggests. The AJUR house style will be applied during publication.

IV. STEPS FOR SUBMITTING A RESEARCH PAPER TO AJUR

Your research is completed and your research supervisor has approved your written report. What do you need to do to get your report reviewed for publication in AJUR? Follow these steps:

  1. Prepare a single-spaced, single-column draft, preferably in WORD. Place figures and graphs in your draft in the locations where they should go.
  2. Select an editor in an area appropriate to your research. Send him or her a copy of your draft article as an e-mail attachment. Make sure that your e-mail tells the editor the following: your name and college; your research supervisor's name and e-mail address; a mailing address where you will be in a month's time (college or home). Your research supervisor should send the editor a separate e-mail giving permission for your work to be published in AJUR, if accepted.


 V. TIMELINE AFTER YOUR PAPER REACHES AN EDITOR

The editor will reply by e-mail to you and your research supervisor telling you that your draft article has been received. The editor will then send your draft to at least two referees (college professors or research scientists). They will provide feedback to the editor on your draft in about two or three weeks. The editor will copy the referees' comments to you (without including the names or addresses of the reviewers). If they recommend that you rewrite your draft or rework a part of your project, the editor will likely ask you to comply and may make some recommendations to help you do this. If the referees recommend that your draft be published as is, the editor will forward it to the Editor in Cedar Falls, who will contact you and your supervisor by e-mail with publication details. Good luck!

 
 
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