00. Full How to Write a Good Technical Paper_NOV 9

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How to Write a GoodTechnical Paper

This work is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial 4.0 International License

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ObjectivesGive tips for writing good abstracts

Give tips for writing good papers

Give tips for making good presentations

Explain peer-review process

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MathematicsScientific Knowledge

Ingenuity

DocumentationPresentation

COMMUNICATION

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Who is Tayfun Babadagli?Author: Wrote SPE-93884- MS “Mature FieldDevelopment – A Review”

Presenter: SPE Europec/EAGE AnnualConference, 13-16 June 2005, Madrid,Spain

His paper has been downloaded almost6,000 times!(one of the top 5 of all time)

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Characteristics of a Great Paper Short, clear titleFollows a standard outlineClear writing styleCase HistoryGood references

State significant new information

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Once Unknown?Darcy, Mitchell, and Holditch

“I am 100% certain that all of the awardsand rewards that I have achieved in mycareer were a result of writing papers andpresenting them at SPE meetings. It wasthe best advertisement possible for myconsulting business”

-Steve Holditch, 2002 SPE President

Author of more than 70 papers

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Who Are You?IntelligentKnowledgeableExperiencedWilling to shareCompany approval

Something to say

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Why Write SPE TechnicalPapers?

Longevity: Your paper extends beyondthe conferenceLegacy: Preserves your work Exposure: Builds your peer network Prestige: Enhances your resume

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The SPE Difference

Rigor: SPE meetings vs. commerciallyorganized meetingsPrestige: SPE journals vs. commercialpublications

Exposure: SPE’s globally accessible, onlinelibrary – OnePetro

Professional obligation

Help others learn from your experienceFulfill the SPE mission: to share anddisseminate knowledge

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Who benefits?

SPE

EnergyIndustry

YourCompany

Enhance reputationIncrease knowledgeMeet global needs

Prestigious journalsRigorous meetingsProfessional excellence

Showcase innovationEnhance reputation

Attract customers

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OnePetro StatisticsMulti-society digital library (18 differentpublishers

>160,000 full length technical papers

85,000+ SPE papers

>4 million SPE papers downloaded in 2013

~3,500 SPE papers added annually

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Exclusivity of SPE JournalPapers (2014)

266 paperspublished

1,334 papers submitted forpeer review

15,652 abstracts submitted

<2% of abstractsbecome peer-

approved papers

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SPE Paper Path

OnePetro

Present Paper at Conference by Author

Submit Paper for Proceedings by Author

Paper Writing Instructions by Author

Abstracts Rated & Program Selected by Program Committee

Abstract Submission by Author

Call for Papers by Program Committee

Event Technical Scope Defined by Program Committee

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WRITING THE PAPERPROPOSAL (ABSTRACT)

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The Paper AbstractClear, concise summary of paper topicShort – generally 350 words“What’s your bright idea?”Explain your paper uniqueness“It better be good”

Your proposal has only one chance withthe program committee

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Start With a Good PlanRelates to meeting scopePresents useful information

New interpretation of old topic/technologyNew information or technology

Explains methodology

Technically soundSupports conclusions

Case histories more likely accepted

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Before You StartEnsure company approval

To write the paper

To travel to present the paper (if you are not thereto present, your paper may be pulled fromOnePetro )

Survey existing literatureRelated papers from OnePetroGood references for your paper

Meet your deadlines!!!Be sure you’ll have time to write paper if acceptedNo paper = No podium

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A Good Abstract Has…Good title = short, direct, informative

<350 words

Clear paper summary

State significant new information

Conclusions

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Improve Your Chances toSucceed: DO’s

Organize your thoughts

Use simple sentences

Use common terminology

Proofread your proposal!!!

Technically sound story

Clearly demonstrate literature contribution

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Improve Your Chances toSucceed: DON’Ts

Do not exceed word-count limitation

No spelling or grammar errors

Do not use run-on sentences

No references allowed

No figures/tables (except IPTC)

No commercial sales pitch

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What is the committee lookingfor?“Be concise yet descriptive, withouttrademarks or company names. For the

program committee, being too commercialis the kiss of death – a paper will be kickedout quickly. Avoid judgment words like‘new’ and ‘innovative’.”

Mario Zamora

M-I SWACOMember of ATCE

Offshore Europe program committees

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Submitting Your AbstractSPE abstract submission process

Follow the instructions

Include names & emails of all co-authorsIndicate for e-poster consideration

Submit online: follow link from event page oremail

For more instructions visit:www.spe.org/authors

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BREAK

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WRITING THE PAPER

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Getting StartedOrganize thoughts

Review the SPE author kitResources and deadlinesManuscript template provided

Research existing literatureOnePetro is an excellent resourceGood references for your paper

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Author Kit

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Literature SurveyAttraction

Read abstract & conclusionsSkim headings & graphics

ContentSufficient explanation of methodsApplicable to your situation

BalanceTechnical contentWriting quality

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Planning Your Paper What is your lesson learned?

What do you want others to understand fromyou work?

How does your work differ?

What was useful from literature survey?

Who is your audience?

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Remember Your AudienceIdentify your audience

Write for them!

Basic audience needsProblem: Why you conducted the projectSolution: What you contributed to theindustry knowledgeValue: Why the audience should listen

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Basic Manuscript OutlineAbstractIntroductionTheory and definitionsEquipment and/or processesData and resultsConclusionsAcknowledgementReferences

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Adapting to Basic OutlineLaboratory study – explain experimentalmethods, execution, and evaluation

Field application – field data before &after application

Simulation study – explain variablesassumptions, and key factors

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Parts of a Quality Paper There are many items that make up a quality paper.

TitleAuthors

AbstractIntroductionMaterials and MethodsFigures and TablesAppendixReferencesNomenclature

AcknowledgementsResultsDiscussionConclusions

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Title CharacteristicsFocuses reader’s attention on papercontent

Necessary for archive searches

Common issues with titles

Too short or too longMisleading: does not describe contentUses unfamiliar jargon and abbreviations

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Title ExamplesBad

“New Methods and Specialized Techniques Used bySuper Oil Co. To Process and Analyze Pressure DataGathered During the Well-Testing Program at the HeberGeothermal Field”

“A Look Ahead: Back to Basics”

Good“The Well -Testing Program at the Heber GeothermalField”

“The Future of the Offshore Drilling Contracting Business:Back to Basics?”

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AbstractState objectives and scope of the paper

Describe the method usedSummarize the results

State the principal conclusions

Abstract from the full paper will show asabstract on OnePetro

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IntroductionClearly present the nature and scope ofthe problem investigated

Briefly review pertinent literature

State the method of investigation and justification

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Materials, Experiments orMethods

Theoretical PapersHypothesisAssumptionsTheoretical developmentsArguments to demonstrate applicability

Experimental/Case Study PapersPurpose of experiments/case study

Describe apparatus/equipment and proceduresPresent data and observationsInferences

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ResultsRepresentative data

Avoid redundancies

Avoid too many tables and figures

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DiscussionShow relationships among observed facts

Components of the discussion are:

State any exceptions and lack of correlation

How the results and interpretations agree orcontrast with previously published results

Theoretical implications and possible practicalapplications

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ConclusionsSummarize how information providedsupports claims made in the introduction

Numbered conclusions supported byevidence in the paper

State the implications of new information

Be consistent with abstract

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ReferencesShould be relevant and referenced in the paper

Directs readers to further information on thesubject

Permits author(s) to compare and contrast presentwork with other work

SPE Policy: List only references available to readers.Personal communications, unpublished companyreports, etc., need to be cited as footnotes.

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Tables and FiguresDo not tabulate:Supplementary dataLab numbersResults of simple calculationsColumns showing no significant variation

Data that should not be tabulated should not beturned into figures

Graph data that shows trends

Be sure figures are easy to read and understand

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Where to Start WritingNot at the beginning!

Start with your conclusionsFocus on what you learnedEasier to work back from the known

Use simple sentences

Use common terminology

Avoid commercialism

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Write the Paper BackwardsRemember your purpose, get to the pointPresent conclusions firstDescribe how to get the resultsDescribe the process/methodologyPresent the theory that explains theprocess

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Evaluate What You’ve WrittenIs it thorough?

Have a colleague who did not work on theproject read it

Have a colleague who worked on the projectread it

Fill in any remaining sections except for theAbstract

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AcknowledgementsNot always needed

Acknowledge company or partners

Acknowledge a research grant orgovernment funding

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Finally: New AbstractRe-write, do not use your original abstract

Write new abstract that reflects the paperyou have just written

Make it good!

This is the basis on which people will decidewhether your paper is worth reading

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Edit Several TimesOnce your technical story is written:

Edit the document for clarityNo run-on sentences or mis-spellings

Leave out extraneous information – stick tothe story

Have others read your paper for clarity

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If English is Not Your FirstLanguage

Have a native or experienced English speaker readyour paper and make suggestions

Look into fee-based services that can helpAmerican Journal ExpertsCambridge Language ConsultantsManucripteditScience DocsScience Manager

SciTechEdit International

Balance writing clearly with the technical content ofyour paper

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Do Not PlagiarizePlagiarism is defined as using someone else’swords and ideas and presenting them as yourown

Few short quotes with citations, do not uselong passages

Cite your sources!

Cite any previous personal work, do not copyand paste your words from an older paper

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Writing Tips From the ExpertsSupport your arguments with references

Always think of your audience

Read your paper aloud to yourself andlisten for clarity (awkward phrases, run onsentences)

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Manuscript SubmissionCreate manuscripts in the SPE MS Wordtemplate provided for the meeting

Follow the Author Kit instructions

Figures and tables can be included in themanuscript or created separately

Make all revisions before uploading (revisionswill cost $$)

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Intellectual PropertyGet company clearance for informationyou will present BEFORE you submit the

paper

Ensure that you have cited the work ofothers correctly

Do not submit abstracts for the same workto more than one meeting at a time

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Transfer of CopyrightSign and submit the SPE transfer of copyright form

Copyright covers the words on the page, includedfigures, graphics, etc. only

It does not cover the ideas or intellectual propertyyou are writing about

Author/company retained rights are listed on backof the transfer of copyright form

*Note: Without a transfer of copyright to SPE, your paper cannot be presented at the meeting

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PRESENTING YOUR PAPER

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PreparePreparation is critical

Think about your paper as a story

Don’t read your slides

Rehearse: Present to your peers

Practice answering questions – anticipatewhat questions you might get

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Create Slides That Tell YourStory

Use the template providedMake them easy to read – good contrast

Dark background with whiteWhite background with black or navy text

Headline for each slide, then support withdiscussionLimit text to keep it simpleMake illustrations readableNo commercialism

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Follow the Rule of 666No more than 6 bullet points per slide

No more than 6-8 words per bullet point

Every 6 th slide (or so) should have agraphic

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PREPARING APOSTER/EPOSTER

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PostersAuthors of posters prepare/submit papersNo oral presentationPrepare few large poster boardsFocus on most important points

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ePostersAuthors of ePosters still write a paper and maymake a presentation

If session presenting author does not show up,an ePoster author may be asked to fill in

ePoster will be visible throughout theconference

There is an assigned time to discuss/Q&A yourposter

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ePoster PresentationsFollow the same guidelines as the sessionpresentation

Times are shorter than sessionpresentations

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BREAK

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Publishing in SPE Journals7 journals to choose from

SPE Drilling & CompletionSPE Production & OperationsSPE Reservoir Evaluation & EngineeringSPE Economics & Management

SPE Journal (research) Journal of Canadian Petroleum TechnologyOil and Gas Facilities

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What Makes a Paper aCandidate for Peer Review?

CriteriaRelevance

InnovationTechnical detailPresentation and documentationLacks commercialism

Willingness to revise paper

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Submitting to a Peer-ReviewedJournal

Can submit with at same time as meetingpresentation

Independent submission for peer review

Online submission links and information athttp://www.spe.org/authors/peer-review/

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How Does Peer Review Work?Two or more people review your paperanonymously

They suggest improvements

You revise the paper based on their

suggestions

Re-submit it

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“I look first for originality – if the data, analysis,and ideas in the manuscript are new and novel.

Second, I look for a logical organization andself-consistency of the methodology and data.Third, I look for a good story that the reader canfollow.”

Anthony Kovscek, Stanford UniversityFormer Executive Editor, SPE Journal

“I look for clarity, logical progression, and agood storyline”

Byron Haynes, Shell Associate Editor, SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering

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SummaryWriting technical papers benefits you, yourcompany, and the industry

SPE meetings and journals are the preferred placefor publication

Write your Abstract to attract interest

Keep your focus non-commercial

Make sure it is technically sound/adds to the bodyof knowledge

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SummaryWrite your conclusions first

Prepare to present your paper

Consider whether your paper should be peer-reviewed

Enjoy the writing process!

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ResourcesSPE Style GuideSPE Symbols and Metrics StandardsMaterials and Links in Author Kit

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QUESTIONS?

Documents

00. Full How to Write a Good Technical Paper_NOV 9