This document provides guidance on writing journal papers for publication. It discusses the key components of both theoretical and empirical journal papers, including titles, abstracts, introductions, bodies, and conclusions. For theoretical papers, it describes how to write the different sections, including providing an example abstract. For empirical papers, it also outlines how to structure each section, such as including the research question in the abstract. The document concludes by explaining the expected structure of each type of paper and emphasizing the importance of properly formatting references.

1. WRITING A JOURNAL PAPER
FOR PUBLICATION
 CHARLES A. MASANGO
 DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH,
 UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN.
 E-Mail:
charles.masango@uct.ac.za

2. ITINERARY OF
PRESENTATION
 What is a journal paper?
 Why write a journal paper?
 Ways of writing a journal paper
 Writing a theoretical paper
 Writing an empirical paper

3. WHAT IS A JOURNAL PAPER?
 A written & published report describing
original research results
 Discloses enough information to
enable peers to assess observations,
repeat experiments, and evaluate
intellectual processes

4. WHY WRITE A JOURNAL
PAPER?
 Keep records of ones work
 Protect ones intellectual property
 Gain reputation in an area
 Progress scientific thought
 Report ones thoughts and ideas
 Your work to reach a broad
audience

5. WHY WRITE A JOURNAL
PAPER? Cont.
 Improve ones chance of promotion
 Raise funds for ones institution
 Ones readers and peers

6. WAYS OF WRITING A
JOURNAL PAPER
 Several ways of writing a journal paper
 Here, we adopting a generic approach
 We, shall look at how to write a
theoretical paper and an empirical
paper

7. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER
 In this type of paper we must have
 1. A TITLE
 For Example:
 Indigenous traditional knowledge
protection: Prospects in South
Africa’s Intellectual Property
framework?

8. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 2. AN ABSTRACT
 The abstract must 1st
say what the
paper intends to examine
For Example:
 This paper examines
indigenous traditional
knowledge and intellectual
property rights.

9. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 2nd
the abstract must tell the readers the
RESEARCH QUESTION
 For Example:
 It examines whether it is possible for South
Africa’s intellectual property framework to
protect all types of indigenous traditional
knowledge against exploitation since
financial considerations are the basis for the
protection of indigenous traditional
knowledge.

10. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 3rd
the abstract must give the
RATIONALE for asking the research
question
 For Example:

The rationale for the examination stems from a
draft policy and bill for public comment
published by the South African Minister of
Trade and Industry on ‘policy framework for the
protection of indigenous traditional knowledge
through the intellectual property system and the
intellectual property laws amendment bill,
2008’.

11. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 4th
the abstract must say the
CONTRIBUTION of your paper to
knowledge
 For Example:

The paper proposes elements within
indigenous traditional knowledge that may and
may not possibly be protected against
exploitation within intellectual property rights.
Finally, the paper proposes possible measures
that could be implemented for indigenous
traditional knowledge to be protected within
South Africa’s intellectual property framework.

12. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Abstract Proper:
 This paper examines indigenous traditional knowledge and intellectual
property rights. It examines whether it is possible for South Africa’s
intellectual property framework to protect all types of indigenous
traditional knowledge against exploitation since financial considerations
are the basis for the protection of indigenous traditional knowledge. The
rationale for the examination stems from a draft policy and bill for public
comment published by the South African Minister of Trade and Industry
on ‘policy framework for the protection of indigenous traditional
knowledge through the intellectual property system and the intellectual
property laws amendment bill, 2008’. The paper proposes elements
within indigenous traditional knowledge that may and may not possibly
be protected against exploitation within intellectual property rights.
Finally, the paper proposes possible measures that could be
implemented for indigenous traditional knowledge to be protected with
South Africa’s intellectual property framework.

Note: You must not quote any author in your abstract. TheNote: You must not quote any author in your abstract. The
abstract can be published on its own as it is informative.abstract can be published on its own as it is informative.

13. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Keywords: This must reflect the major
themes of the article
 For Example:

Indigenous traditional knowledge;
Intellectual property

14. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Introduction: Here you have to define the
core keyword and give a reference to the
definition
 For example:
 According to Mugabe (1998), indigenous knowledge (IK) ‘is that
knowledge that is held and used by a people who identify themselves as
indigenous of a place based on a combination of cultural distinctiveness
and prior territorial occupancy relative to a more recently-arrived
population with its own distinct and subsequently dominant culture’.
Traditional knowledge (TK) is ‘the totality of all knowledge and
practices, whether explicit or implicit. This knowledge is established on
past experiences and observation’ (Mugabe 1998). Following the
definitions of indigenous knowledge and traditional knowledge, one can
state that indigenous traditional knowledge is the totality of all
knowledge and practices established on past experiences and
observation that is held and used by a people. Intellectual property (IP)
is ‘generally synonymous with Intellectual work, but carrying a clear
emphasis on the value of the work as an assert in a financial sense’
(Prytherch 2000: 383)

15. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 After the definitions, tell your readers
the aim and rationale of your paper
 For example: The purpose of this paper is to examine
indigenous traditional knowledge and intellectual property. It
examines whether it is possible for South Africa’s intellectual
property framework to protect all types of indigenous traditional
knowledge against exploitation since financial considerations
are the basis for the protection of indigenous traditional
knowledge. The rationale for the examination stems from a draft
policy and bill for public comment published by the South
African Minister of Trade and Industry on ‘policy framework for
the protection of indigenous traditional knowledge through the
intellectual property system and the intellectual property laws
amendment bill, 2008’ (Traditional Knowledge Bill 2009).

16. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 After the aim & rationale, give a route path
of your paper
 For example: In order to examine whether it is possible for
the South African intellectual property framework to protect all
types of indigenous traditional knowledge, this paper first
examines why intellectual property is an issue in terms of
traditional knowledge. The possible reasons why indigenous
traditional knowledge is a cause for concern are considered.
Secondly, the paper examines different types of indigenous
traditional knowledge. Thirdly, the paper examines the various
facets of intellectual property and explores how financial
considerations form the basis for the protection of indigenous
traditional knowledge. Fourthly, the paper discusses the
intellectual property laws amendment Bill, 2008 and examines
how certain indigenous traditional knowledge may and may not
possibly be protected by the Bill because they do and do not
embody financial considerations. Finally, the paper proposes
measures that could be implemented for indigenous traditional
knowledge to be protected with South African intellectual
property framework.

17. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 The body of the paper will now follow your
route path

For Example:
 Rationale for indigenous traditional knowledge
protection
 Types of indigenous traditional knowledge
 Intellectual property protection of indigenous
traditional knowledge: Financial consideration a
prerequisite?
 South Africa Intellectual Property Laws
Amendment Bill, 2008: Possible protected
knowledge?
 Possible measures for Indigenous Traditional
knowledge protection? (This is your contribution)
 Conclusion

18. WRITING A THEORITICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Your reference in alphabetical order
follows next.

FIN!!!!!

19. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER
 In an empirical journal paper, the
following applies:
 A title
 An informative abstract
 Keywords
 An introduction
 The body of the essay
 A conclusion
 References

20. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 The title
 For example:

South African scholars’ and
commercial publishers’
perceptions of open access
sources

21. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 The abstract:
 This must divulge

What the paper intends to examine

The rationale for the examination
 What the paper is trying to analyse from an
empirical survey conducted

The research question

The contribution of the paper to
knowledge

22. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 What paper intends to examine
 For example:

This paper examines the fact that
commercial publishers in the digital
environment have introduced licences
to govern licensed digital content.

23. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Rationale for the examination
 For example:
 Scholars believe that the introduction of
licences to govern licensed digital content
favours the interest of commercial
publishers and may result in reduced
access to information. Among the possible
solutions found is to promote initiatives
aimed at giving free access to digital
information; this is known as ‘Open
Access’

24. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 What paper is trying to analyse from
an empirical survey conducted
 For example:

This paper analyses from a South
African perspective scholars’ and
corporate rights holders’
perceptions of open access
sources

25. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 The research question
 For example:

The paper examines whether scholars’
use of open access sources has
influenced the use of licensed digital
content and whether it is possible for
the open access sources to act as
surrogates to licensed digital
information. The paper discusses the
reasons for the possible failure of the
open access sources

26. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Contribution of the paper to knowledge
 For example:

It concludes that not until academics
have a better understanding of and
necessary confidence that open source
publications are, in fact, a viable
alternative to commercially published
channels of scholarly communication
will we have developed a real substitute
for licensed digital content.

27. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Abstract Proper:
 This paper examines the fact that commercial publishers in the digital
environment have introduced licences to govern licensed digital content.
Scholars believe that the introduction of licences to govern licensed
digital content favours the interest of commercial publishers and may
result in reduced access to information. Among the possible solutions
found is to promote initiatives aimed at giving free access to digital
information; this is known as open access. This paper analyses from a
South African perspective scholars’ and corporate rights holders’
perceptions of open access sources. The paper examines whether
scholars’ use of open access sources has influenced the use of licensed
digital content and whether it is possible for the open access sources to
act as surrogates to licensed digital information. The paper discusses
the reasons for the possible failure of the open access sources. It
concludes that not until academics have a better understanding of and
necessary confidence that open source publications are, in fact, a viable
alternative to commercially published channels of scholarly
communication will we have developed a real substitute for licensed
digital content.

28. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Keywords
 This must reflect the major themes
of the paper

For example:
 Commercial publishers,
licensed digital content,
licensing agreements,
copyright, open access sources

29. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Introduction: Here you have to define
the core keyword and give a reference
to the definition
 For example:

Most commercial publishers are
persons, firms, or corporate
bodies whose role is to place
books on the market (Prytherch,
1996: 525), for commercial gain.

30. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.

After the definition, tell your readers the aim and route path of
your paper
 For example:

The aim of this paper is to analyse scholars’ and commercial
publishers’ – this is, corporate rights holders’ – perceptions of open
access sources. The paper examines whether scholars’ use of open
access sources has influenced the use of licensed digital content
and whether it is possible for open access sources to act as
surrogates to licensed digital information. In order to scrutinise the
open access sources in this regard, the paper first considers the
crux of commercial publishers’ copyright rights and how these rights
have been extended into the digital environment. Secondly, the
paper analyses the possibilities of licensing agreements inhibiting
access to digital information and whether the open access sources
can eliminate any inhibition through free access to digital
information. The reasons for the possible failure of the open access
sources are considered. Finally, the paper concludes that not until
academics have a better understanding of and necessary confidence
that open source publications are, in fact, a viable alternative to
commercially published channels of scholarly communication will we
have developed a real substitute for licensed digital content.

31. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 The body of the essay will now consist
of your route path
 For example:

Publishers’ rights

Commercial publishers in the digital era

Licences vs copyright: How licences
favour the interests of commercial
publishers

Scholars’ dilemma and a possible
solution?

32. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Open access sources
 Possible hindrances and solutions?
 Perceptions of open access sources:
Research Procedure

Say the type of research method that
was used in the survey e.g. qualitative

Give reasons why you used the
research method

33. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.

Say the type of people who were
approached in the survey, e.g.
acquisition reference librarians,
consortia managers, informed users,
corporate rights’ holders

Say why you selected to survey the
people mentioned supra

Give the total number of respondents
and those who responded

Say the instruments used in the survey,
e.g. interviews and how it was
administered

34. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Tell the readers the type of groups that
were interviewed and if the groups had to
respond to the same or different questions
 Give the various questions that were
asked to the groups
 Say how the interviews were analysed,
e.g. to establish patterns about open
access initiatives in South Africa
 Say the type of theory that was used to
analyse the information from the
respondents, e.g. the Grounded Theory

35. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 Perceptions of open access sources:
Findings from survey
 Say what the survey showed:

E.g. the survey showed that librarians
and some consortia managers
overwhelmingly support open source
initiatives, mainly because they believe
in the free flow of information to
everyone etc etc

36. WRITING AN EMPIRICAL
PAPER Cont.
 A possible solution? From the
literature and then the survey what
came out? (This is your contribution)
 Conclusion
 Your reference in alphabetical order
follows next

MANY THANTS –
FIN !!!!!!