A conference paper is a concise scholarly document presented at academic conferences to share new research findings, engage in discussions and receive peer feedback. It differs from a journal article in length, audience and review process. It is typically shorter and less rigorous and often serves as a preliminary step before publishing a comprehensive journal article. Structurally, conference papers briefly present the research purpose, approach, results and conclusions. In contrast, journal articles provide a detailed literature review, in-depth methodology and extensive discussion sections.
- What is a conference paper?
- What is the difference between a conference paper and a journal article?
- What is the structure difference between a conference paper and a journal article?
- Before writing a conference paper
- How to structure a conference paper?
- Useful resources for writing a conference paper
- How to finalise a conference paper?
What is a conference paper?
A conference paper is a scholarly document that is presented at an academic conference. It represents a concise version of your research findings, intended for an audience of researchers, professionals and practitioners in an academic field.
Purpose of a conference paper is to share new research findings, theories, methodologies or practices with the academic and professional community. Moreover, presenting a paper at a conference is an opportunity to receive feedback and engage in discussions with peers.
Conference papers are typically shorter than journal articles, usually ranging from 4 to 10 pages, depending on the conference requirements. Each conference may have specific formatting guidelines, including templates, citation styles and length limits.
What is the difference between a conference paper and a journal article?
A conference paper and a journal article (also called a research paper or a research article) are both forms of academic writing but have several distinct differences:
| Conference paper | Journal article | |
| Audience | attendees of the conference (researchers, professionals and practitioners in the field) | a broader academic community that reads the journal |
| Goal | receive immediate feedback, engage in discussions and network with peers | contribute to the body of knowledge in the field |
| Length | typically shorter, often 4–10 pages, depending on the conference guidelines | generally longer, often ranging 10–30 pages, depending on the journal’s requirements |
| Content | a concise presentation of purpose, approach, results and conclusions | a comprehensive description of the research, including literature review, methodology, results and discussion |
| Review process | less rigorous compared to journal articles, focusing on the relevance, originality and clarity of the work | more rigorous process, including multiple rounds of revisions and assessing the significance, originality, methodology |
| Review timeline | typically faster to accommodate conference schedules | often longer, sometimes taking several months to over a year, from submission to publication |
| Presentation | presented orally or as a poster at the conference; usually followed by a Q&A session | not typically presented in person |
| Publication | published in the conference proceedings or a special issue of a journal | published in an academic journal |
| Impact | often seen as a preliminary step to disseminate research quickly and gather feedback; may lead to a more comprehensive journal article | considered a more substantial contribution to the field; often used as a reference in subsequent research |
| Citation | generally cited less frequently | typically cited more frequently, contributing to the advancement of the field |
What is the structure difference between a conference paper and a journal article?
Conference paper structure
- Abstract: Summarises the entire paper, providing a brief overview of the research purpose, approach, results and conclusion.
- Purpose: Defines the objectives and goals of the research. This section is crucial in setting the context and explaining the significance of the study.
- Approach: Describes the methodology and procedures used in the research. It outlines how the study was conducted, including data collection and analysis methods.
- Results: Present the findings of the research. This section includes data, observations and any key results obtained from the study.
- Conclusion: Summarises the key findings and their implications. It discusses the significance of the results and suggests possible future research directions.
- References: Lists all the sources cited in the paper. Proper citation is essential for acknowledging the work of other researchers and providing a basis for further reading.
- Appendices (if applicable): Include supplementary material that supports the main text, such as detailed data tables, additional analyses or technical details.
Journal article structure
- Abstract: Similar to a conference paper, the abstract in a journal article provides a concise summary of the research, highlighting the main objectives, methods, results and conclusions.
- Acknowledgements (if applicable): This section, which is not typically included in conference papers, allows the authors to acknowledge any funding sources, contributions from colleagues, or support received during the research.
- Introduction: Provides a comprehensive overview of the background and context of the study. It includes a literature review and sets up the research question or hypothesis.
- Literature review: A detailed review of existing research relevant to the study. This section helps to contextualise the current research within the broader field and identify gaps that the study aims to fill.
- Methodology: Describes the research design, data collection and analysis methods in detail. This section provides sufficient information for other researchers to replicate the study if needed.
- Results: Similar to a conference paper, this section presents the findings of the study, including data and any observed patterns or trends.
- Discussion and implications: Interpret the results in the context of existing research. This section discusses the broader implications of the findings, their relevance to the field and any potential applications.
- Conclusion and recommendations: Summarise the main findings and suggest directions for future research. This section emphasises the significance of the study and its contributions to the field.
- References: A comprehensive list of all sources cited in the article, following the specified citation style.
- Appendices (if applicable): Similar to conference papers, appendices in journal articles include supplementary materials that provide additional context or detail.
Key structural differences
- Acknowledgements: Journal articles often include an acknowledgements section, whereas conference papers typically do not.
- Literature review: Journal articles include a detailed literature review section, providing a thorough context for the research. Conference papers may touch on relevant literature but in a more condensed form.
- Discussion and implications: Journal articles have a separate, detailed discussion section that interprets the results and explores their implications in depth. Conference papers often integrate discussion within the results or conclusion sections.
- Length and depth: Journal articles are usually longer and more detailed than conference papers. They provide a comprehensive examination of the research topic, whereas conference papers are more concise due to time and space constraints.
Before writing a conference paper
Writing a conference paper involves careful preparation and consideration of several factors to ensure your presentation is effective and well-received. Here are key points to keep in mind:
1. Read the call for papers (CFP)
- Understand requirements: Carefully read the CFP to understand the themes, topics, formatting guidelines, length and submission deadlines.
- Align your topic: Ensure your paper aligns with the conference theme and addresses the key questions posed by the organisers.
2. Determine the structure and style
- Presentation format: Decide how you will present your research. Options include:
- visual presentations using software like PowerPoint or Prezi
- reading a prepared paper aloud
- participating in a roundtable discussion
- combining styles, such as reading aloud while showing images
- Length and timing: Know the expected length and time for your presentation. Typically, presentations are 15–20 minutes long, with one double-spaced page taking about 2–2.5 minutes to read. Aim for an 8–10 page, double-spaced paper to fit within this time limit.
3. Consider conference conventions and session structure
- Audience expectations: Familiarise yourself with the structure of presentations at the conference.
- Professional guidelines: Adhere to any specific guidelines or rules provided by the conference or professional organisation.
- Panel information: If you are part of a panel, understand the panel’s expectations and gather information about the other papers and presenters.
- Commentator role: If there is a commentator, know when they need your paper and ensure you meet this deadline.
- Collaboration: Decide if you will share papers with other panellists before the conference and how collaborative you want your session to be.
4. Analyse your audience
- Know your listeners: Anticipate the needs and interests of your audience to make your paper engaging and relevant.
- Conference concerns: Revisit the CFP and mission statement to identify recurring keywords and concepts. Relate your research to these broader themes genuinely.
- Field concerns: Bridge the gap between your specific research and the wider concerns of your field.
5. Contextualise your research
- Broader trends: Connect your narrow research question to larger trends in your field to make your work relevant and engaging.
- Big questions: Revisit the research questions that inspired your project and consider the big questions in your field’s literature.
- Explain clearly: Imagine explaining your project to someone familiar with your field but not your specific topic.
How to structure a conference paper?
The abstract provides a concise summary of the entire paper. It highlights the research purpose, approach, key findings and conclusions, generally within 200–300 words. This section helps readers quickly grasp the main points and decide if they wish to read the full paper.
The research purpose clearly states the objectives and aims of the study. This section outlines the research question or problem being addressed, providing necessary background information to explain the significance of the study. It sets the stage for the rest of the paper by defining what the research aims to achieve.
The research approach describes the methodology used to conduct the research. It includes the research design, data collection methods and analytical techniques, explaining why specific methods were chosen and how they were implemented. This section allows readers to assess the validity and reliability of the findings.
The research results section presents the findings of the study. It includes data, analyses and key results, often illustrated with tables and charts for clarity. This section provides evidence to support the conclusions and gives readers detailed insights into the study’s outcomes.
The conclusion summarises the key findings and their implications. It discusses the significance of the results, their relevance to the field and potential applications. This section may also suggest directions for future research or highlight unanswered questions, providing closure and emphasising the contribution of the research.
The references section lists all sources cited in the paper, following a specific citation style (e.g. APA, MLA). It ensures that all references are accurately cited and formatted, giving credit to original authors and allowing readers to locate the sources.
Last, appendices (if applicable) provide supplementary material that supports the main text. This section may include additional data, detailed calculations or extensive tables that are too lengthy for the main text.
Useful resources for writing a conference paper
Books
- The Craft of Research by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams covers all aspects of research and writing, from formulating research questions to presenting findings.
- The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E. B. White is a classic reference for writing clearly and concisely, which is crucial for effective conference papers.
- How to Write a Paper by George M. Hall provides comprehensive guidance on writing academic papers, including sections specifically on conference papers.
- Presenting Your Research: Conferences, Symposiums, Poster Presentations and Beyond by Lucinda Becker offers practical advice on presenting research at conferences, including how to structure and deliver your paper effectively.
Reference management software
- EndNote: A more advanced, subscription-based reference manager with extensive features.
- Mendeley: Another free reference manager that also allows for collaboration with other researchers.
- Zotero: A free tool that helps you collect, organise, cite and share research sources.
Writing and editing tools
- Grammarly: An AI-powered writing assistant that helps with grammar, punctuation and style.
- Hemingway Editor: This tool highlights complex sentences and common errors, making your writing clear and concise.
- LaTeX: Especially useful for technical and scientific papers, providing high-quality typesetting.
Plagiarism checkers
- Grammarly’s Plagiarism Checker: An additional feature in Grammarly’s premium version.
- Turnitin: A popular tool used in academia to check for plagiarism and ensure originality.
Data analysis and visualisation tools
- IBM SPSS: A powerful statistical software for data analysis.
- R and RStudio: Free software for statistical computing and graphics.
Presentation tools
- Canva: Useful for designing visually appealing slides and posters.
- Microsoft PowerPoint: A widely used tool for creating visual presentations.
- Prezi: An alternative presentation tool that offers a more dynamic and interactive presentation style.
Other resources
- Introduction to Public Speaking course by the University of Washington on Coursera
- MIT OpenCourseWare: Provides free lecture notes, exams and videos from MIT courses, including those on writing and communication.
- PODCAST: How to prepare for an excellent conference presentation
- Public Speaking & Presentation Skills 4 Conference Speakers course on Udemy
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): A comprehensive resource for writing, including style guides and formatting tips.
How to finalise a conference paper?
Editing services are crucial in finalising a conference paper, ensuring it is clear, professional and adheres to the necessary standards. Each type of editing service — developmental editing, line editing, copyediting and proofreading — contributes uniquely to refining the paper.
Developmental editing focuses on the content, structure and overall organisation of the paper. It ensures that the arguments are coherent, the structure is logical and the paper effectively communicates its main points. This type of editing helps in organising the paper logically, making sure each section transitions smoothly to the next and providing detailed feedback on the strength of the arguments, the relevance of the content and the overall impact of the paper.
Line editing then concentrates on the writing style, tone and flow of the paper, ensuring that the text is engaging and the language appropriate for the audience. This type of editing adjusts the writing style to suit the academic and professional audience at the conference, enhances readability by improving sentence structure and word choice and makes the text more compelling for readers and listeners, which is particularly important for conference presentations.
Copyediting, on the other hand, addresses grammar, punctuation, spelling and consistency. It ensures that the paper adheres to the specified style guide (e.g. APA, MLA, IEEE) and corrects grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors. Copyediting also ensures consistency in terminology, format and style, which is crucial for maintaining a professional appearance and meeting the formatting requirements of the conference, including citations and references.
Finally, proofreading provides a final review of the paper to catch any remaining errors, ensuring the text is polished and ready for submission or presentation. This step identifies and corrects any overlooked grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes and ensures the paper is professionally presented and ready for distribution or presentation.
Key takeaways
In conclusion, writing and structuring a conference paper involves a clear understanding of its purpose, audience and the differences from a journal article. Conference papers are designed to present new research findings concisely to an audience of researchers and practitioners, facilitating immediate feedback and discussions. They are typically shorter and less comprehensive than journal articles, focusing on summarising the research purpose, methodology, results and conclusions. Unlike journal articles, which include extensive literature reviews and detailed discussions, conference papers prioritise brevity and clarity due to time and space constraints. Preparing an effective conference paper requires careful adherence to specific formatting guidelines, understanding audience expectations and aligning the research with conference themes. Moreover, utilising various tools and resources for writing, editing and presenting can enhance the paper’s quality and impact. By following these guidelines and leveraging available resources, researchers can effectively communicate their findings and contribute to academic and professional discourse.
As an editor and indexer, I routinely work with academic writers, preparing their texts for publication in academic journals and presses. If your academic manuscript needs a second pair of eyes, contact me for a free sample edit (and remember to use my early bird discount).
