2014 NSBE Aerospace Systems Conference

Technical Paper Step-by Step Guide

Complete actions in GREEN in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint as

appropriate

Step OneDeclare Intent

This step can be completed in one

sitting

Select Idea for Paper Suggestions

Technical project you are working on now (work or Space SIG)

Topic you wrote emails back and forth to more than one colleague about in the last week

A project you have to present a status on at work The longest OR most interesting OR most rewarding

project you have worked on in the last 2-12 months Another project of extreme interest to you

Choose topic and write title or 1 phrase description now

Determine Audience Identify your audience – why are you writing to

them? What do they gain from this paper or how does it affect them? For a peer scientist/engineer to verify your methods,

results To document a new development/process/design To share an application for others to benefit from To convince peers or management to adopt a

recommendation Write a one-sentence description of your audience

and why you are writing to them

What Do You Expect to Share? Types of papers

A research paper - culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition

Analytical or argumentative research Goal: argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the

topic chosen should be debatable or controversial Goal: analytical asks a question on which author has taken no stance.

Paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation Practical applications paper Cutting-edge technical paper Experimental, comparative, design, or theoretical paper

Write a short description (5-7 sentence) summarizing the content you anticipate writing in the paper

Create an Outline Based on statements in Word document, create a 2-

level outline of your paper with elements as follows Each roman numeral should have at least an A and B

I. Introduction of topic and purposeA. Topic DescriptionB. Purpose for Sharing with Audience

II. History / background / context

III. Research methods / data analysis / design process (may have multiple instances of this section for each subtopic)

IV. Results / findings

V. Conclusions / recommendations

VI. References / Works cited

Create a Short Abstract Using previous items as a guide, compose

a 100-150 word abstract Begin by turning outline into a paragraph Incorporate any details from the 5-7 sentence

short description not captured in the outline Stay within 100 (min) to 150 (max) word count

Modify the phrase from slide 2 into a coherent title if not already done

Select ASC Paper Track Review track descriptions and call for papers at

http://www.nsbe-asc2014.org/index.php/technical-program/technical-paper-tracks

Identify and write down track that best matches your paper Do not be overly concerned if paper overlaps multiple

tracks; conference organizers will adjust track assignments if necessary

Save Word file

Create Paper Submission Account

Go to https://cmt.research.microsoft.com/ASC2014 Login (if already have account) or click “Sign up here” Complete registration questions / data entry Once logged into system, click “Create a new Paper

Submission” Select track Enter title and abstract information based on text

generated in slide 6 Upload Word File in File Upload section Complete remaining questions and Submit

Step Two Compose Extended Abstract

Depending on personal speed, this step may require several weeks to complete

Begin Researching Topic Area

Compile relevant reports/documents from work or online searches (expected works cited / reference material)

Determine design / experiment / computational / etc. work you will need to perform

Revise and Expand Outline

Incorporate insights gained from initial research

Expand outline to 4-6 levels of detail

Prepare Word File Download ASC Technical Paper template

from http://www.nsbe-asc2014.org/index.php/technical-program/technical-paper-tracks

Rename template with the name of your paper. This is the file you will use for your extended abstract.

Incorporate outline into paper, with top level outline elements as Section Headings

Continue Research / Data Analysis / Design

Complete a first pass, addressing all sections of paper

Take notes directly into relevant section of paper Use proper quotations/citations when using another’s

work Be VERY careful to also add reference in References

section As notes are added, convert notes and lower

level outline into paragraphs

Complete Extended Abstract

Assess grammar, flow, and content in paper as research continues

Extended abstract is complete when paper is approximately 2 pages (>1000 words) and coherently written

Each section should be roughly 1/4 to 1/3 the length the section will be in the full paper

Log into paper submission portal and replace uploaded outline with 2 page extended abstract

Step Three Complete Draft of Full Paper

Depending on personal speed, this

step may require several weeks to

complete

Assess Feedback Receive comments from ASC peer-review Discuss with Track Chair any comments

requiring further clarification Ask for assistance for any difficult-to-

implement comments Incorporate feedback to paper and/or

continuing research

Complete and Submit Draft Paper

Complete research / data analysis / design Add new information to extended abstract to complete

paper (5-6 page length) Browse other aerospace proceedings (AIAA, IEEE, NSBE

ASC) if available to compare against your paper Proofread paper

Use spellcheck and grammar check Also read for errors Word cannot detect

Complete any company/agency review or clearance to release paper to conference

Upload paper to paper submission portal

Step FourPrepare Final Submission and

Presentation

Depending on personal speed, this step may require

1-2 weeks to complete

Finalize Paper Address / incorporate feedback from ASC

peer review Upload final, camera-ready paper to paper

submission portal Use outline and final paper to create a 20-

minute PowerPoint presentation Upload presentation to paper submission

portal

ASC Technical Paper Vision

Increase the visibility of our best African American

engineers via peer reviewed paper presentations, published conference

proceedings, and paper awards

Alter the worldview of African American aerospace industry professionals via the unprecedented gathering of

diverse technical talent

National Society of Black Engineers

Aerospace Systems Conference

“Blazing a Trail”

January 22-25, 2014Los Angeles, CA