TPS News

投稿學術期刊若不僅能獲得進步的動力，甚至還能發展為個人嗜好，就能讓學者在學術生涯提早創造高峰。發表文章不只是需求，更該是一種渴望。如果您缺乏投稿動力，或不確定自己是否該投稿，接下來的新專欄可讓您重振精力，蓄勢待發。本專欄將詳細介紹發表論文的五大效益，讓您重拾寫作動力，拓展自身實力。Scholars reach a point early in their careers when publication of their scholarly work becomes not only a key to advancement but a personal desire. The impulse to seek publication moves from need to want. For those not yet motivated to publish or who might be second-guessing a decision to do so, the following series might help refocus their energies. Each of the 5 benefits will be presented and explained on the TPS Fan page before being compiled as a series.

Benefit # 4 – Professional growth is spurred
效益四：促進學術事業成長

The decision to write a paper for publication sparks a scholar’s personal development as a writer because the requirements for publication in academic journals are stringent and rather inflexible. It cannot be accomplished without commensurate effort and the brunt of the effort is internal—writing, responding to editing critiques, etc. Once a paper is accepted and published, however, external forces begin to shape a career. Acceptance brings collegial alliances and challenges.
寫論文投稿，可以點燃火花，激勵學者培養寫作能力，因為要在學術期刊發表論文，必須遵守嚴謹的硬性規定，沒有充分努力便無法成功；個人本身必須付出心力寫作、回應編輯的批評等等，一旦論文獲得接受並發表，來自學術同儕的贊同與挑戰等外在的力量，便會影響學術事業。

Peer review leading up to publishing is like the laying of logs on kindling, the final preparation for an academic bonfire. When the scholarly paper is published, the fire is ignited and both heat and light are produced. The heat comes in the form of professional criticism and other challenging feedback. The light is the professional esteem expressed by peers of the realm. Each type of response to a published piece shapes and steels the author for additional career growth.
論文發表前的同儕審查，就像在引火柴裡添加木頭，是點燃學術營火的最後一步。論文發表後，火堆點燃，同時散發光與熱，熱力的來源是專業批評與其他挑戰意見，光芒的來源則是同領域學者表達的專業認可。每一種對發表論文的回應都能形塑、鍛鍊作者，有助作者進一步發展學術能力。

Additional professional development ensues in post-publication in the form of new opportunities. A published scholar is a credentialed scholar and one of the privileges of the credential is professional standing to review other work. In reviewing the submitted papers of peers, a scholar raises his profile in the academic community and begins to build networks. These are the fruits of an author’s painstaking research, writing, and submission of a paper—and sweet they are.
論文發表後，隨之而來的新機會也能促進學術能力發展。學者發表文章能贏得聲譽，這份聲譽有個好處，就是賦予學者專業地位，能審查其他人的論文。審查其他學者投稿的論文，有助提振自己在學術圈的資歷，並能建立人脈。這些都是潛心研究、寫作、投稿論文帶來的甜美果實。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: How often should I restate my premise as I work my way through my paper?
寫論文時，請問我應該多久重申一次論文的立論前提？

Restating a premise is not necessary, per se. That is, while a thesis introduced at the front of a paper should be revisited in the paper’s conclusion, the central proposition of a paper generally doesn’t have to appear again and again verbatim throughout a paper. Unless the structure of a paper lends itself to such repeated use of a particular declaratory sentence, subtle allusions are sufficient. They will keep the point of a paper in front of a reader. They will serve as guideposts as a reader moves though the paper, reminders of where reader and writer are headed together.
立論前提本身無須一再重申，雖然假設應該在論文開頭提及，並在結論時重新敘述，但論文中心前提不必在整篇文章中一字不漏地反覆陳述。除非論文結構本身適合重複使用某一句陳述句，否則略微暗示就夠了。這樣就能夠將論點呈現在讀者眼前，像路標一樣在整篇文章中引導讀者，提醒讀者何時應與作者取得共識。

Some repetition of the central purpose of a paper is a good idea, because it gives a paper coherence, pulling it together like a drawstring, capturing and holding a reader’s interest. Without such a common thread running through it, a paper is apt to wander into interesting but largely irrelevant tangents. Such detours do not contribute significantly to understanding. Quite the contrary: The further a writer strays from a core subject, the more difficulty the writer will have smoothly transitioning back. Abrupt jogs in exposition leave readers nonplussed.
重複幾次論文的中心論點是好事，能讓文章連貫，像束繩一樣將文章組織在一起，抓住讀者的興趣。論文若沒有這條共通的主旨，就很容易走偏方向，文章段落也許有趣但彼此缺乏關連。這樣曲折迂迴的寫法對理解沒有什麼幫助，作者偏離核心主題愈遠，愈難流暢地轉回正題。要是突然重提中心論點，會讓讀者覺得摸不著頭緒。

So at key points, allude to the premise using synonyms, or describe it anew in the course of giving anecdotal or clinical examples. If a premise has a key word, drop it in (in proper context) throughout the body of the paper. This subliminal referencing to the premise ensures that a reader remains focused throughout his reading without explicitly being asked to do so. In the end, the logical development of a subject and systematic revelation of new information should reinforce a premise at every step without additional aids, but it is wise to use every tool.
所以，在關鍵的地方可以用同義詞暗示前提，或是在描述軼事或臨床範例時，用另一種方式重複前提。若前提有個關鍵字，可適時於通篇論文中提點。以不引人注意的方式重申前提，能讓讀者在閱讀整篇文章時保持專注，但又不必明確要求讀者照做。最後，若主題發展合理、提出新訊息時有條不紊，每一步都在強化論文的前提，無須額外輔助；不過，善用所有輔助方式也是聰明的做法。

投稿學術期刊若不僅能獲得進步的動力，甚至還能發展為個人嗜好，就能讓學者在學術生涯提早創造高峰。發表文章不只是需求，更該是一種渴望。如果您缺乏投稿動力，或不確定自己是否該投稿，接下來的新專欄可讓您重振精力，蓄勢待發。本專欄將詳細介紹發表論文的五大效益，讓您重拾寫作動力，拓展自身實力。Scholars reach a point early in their careers when publication of their scholarly work becomes not only a key to advancement but a personal desire. The impulse to seek publication moves from need to want. For those not yet motivated to publish or who might be second-guessing a decision to do so, the following series might help refocus their energies. Each of the 5 benefits will be presented and explained on the TPS Fan page before being compiled as a series.

Benefit # 3 – Professional standing is enhanced
效益三：提升專業地位

Peer recognition is the prize an academic professional seeks in publishing a scholarly piece. The writer isn’t doing it for money—though such economic considerations as tenure and increased salary ultimately are pegged to it. Nor are public accolades the motivation, for scholarly publications by definition lack a mass audience. Academic journal readers are classroom and research peers whose opinions and networking clout are invaluable to the writer’s career.
學術專業人士投稿學術作品，是為尋求同儕認可，目的並不為錢，儘管職位與薪資調升等經濟考量終究會與之掛勾。寫作動機也非獲得大眾讚揚，因為學術論文的讀者本來就不是大眾。學術期刊的作者是學校師生與研究同行，他們的意見與整體的影響力對作者的生涯影響鉅大。

It follows that being published in an acceptable journal is almost as important as publication itself. If that sounds snobbish, welcome to the real world. Academic publications that are ranked highly by peers are the target. Not only is the name of a prestigious journal a stamp of approval on a resume, it is proof that a person’s work has been approved by the publication’s gatekeepers and has been exposed to top-ranked peers. The writer is now part of the collegial conversation.
由此可見，能發表在令人滿意的期刊上，幾乎和投稿發表這件事一樣重要。聽起來很勢利，不過實情就是如此。首要目標是獲得同行高度評價的學術期刊，履歷上要是添上有威信期刊的名字，就像蓋了核可印章，證明你的工作成果已經獲得期刊把關者核可，也有知名的同行看過，現在是學術話題的討論對象了。

So which publications are desirable? The answer to that is pegged to a writer’s discipline, each of which has a canon of publications. If a new writer is unfamiliar with the stable of relevant journals, a visit to a campus library will solve that. Perusal of the various publications will help in selection of one most apt to publish a preferred type of scholarly article. Also, a professor can help direct the search for a suitable publication, one that can boost a writer’s academic career.
所以應該選那一本期刊呢？這得看研究者的學術領域而定，每個領域有自己的經典期刊。初出茅廬的新手若不熟悉重要的相關期刊，可以到大學圖書館逛一圈自然就會明白。精讀多本相關期刊也有助判斷適當的學術文章類型，選擇最可能接受論文的期刊。此外，也可以向教授請益，幫助尋找適合的期刊，為作者的學術生涯助一臂之力。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: I prefer complex words. I am told it is pretentious to use complicated words when simpler terminology will suffice. However, I believe the academic community communicates most clearly in multi-syllabic words that precisely express concepts, philosophies, or technical procedures. Am I wrong?
我偏好複合辭彙，有人告訴我，若精簡的術語便足供表達，用複雜的詞彙會顯得矯揉造作。然而，我認為學術群體要清晰明瞭的溝通，必須用多音節的字準確傳達博大精深的概念、哲學與專門程序。這樣應該沒錯吧？

You are only partly wrong. Consider your question phrased more simply: “I like big words. I am told I put on airs when I write that way. Yet I think the learned can best speak to each other in terms that are exact and clear as we share high-level thoughts.” That rendering of your thought uses mostly one-syllable words, yet conveys nearly the same information as your original sentences. There is nothing wrong with multiple syllables in words, nor should any writer strive to “dumb down” language in an effort to simplify it. But long words are not always the best ones.
也不完全錯。你的話用簡單的字來講，就是：「我喜歡用很長的字，有人說用這些字看起來像在擺架子，但是我覺得學者要清楚溝通，就要用清楚準確的字，分享高層次的想法。」這段換句話說的用字多半很簡單，不過表達的意思和原本差不多。用很長的多音節單字沒什麼錯，也沒有必要努力簡化用字，刻意拉低用語的難度。但是，字母多的辭彙不一定是最好的選擇。

The first rule of academic writing happens to be the first rule of any kind of writing: Express yourself clearly and accurately. It does not necessarily follow that one must use short or uncomplicated words. “University” is far more accurate than “school” in describing a higher-level, multi-discipline learning center. “Radiology” is not exactly equivalent to “X-ray,” so the simpler word cannot always be substituted. Good writing uses words precisely and if precision requires a complex word in a sentence, a writer shouldn’t shy from employing it.
學術寫作的第一守則，也是所有寫作的第一守則，就是清楚、準確地表達意思。這不表示一定要用短的、簡單的字，例如形容教授許多學科的高等教育場所時，“university” 就比 “school” 來得精確，而 “radiology” 也不等於 “X-ray”；所以並非總適合用簡單的字作代替。好文章必須用字精確，若精確表示句子裡必須用到複合辭彙，就不該畏縮不前。

What’s more, some academic writing is in areas of learning that allow little simplification. In such disciplines, scientific or technical names and terms hold special meaning to a particular community and convey a wealth of specialized knowledge. Where writers go wrong in such cases is to use such words indiscriminately and repeatedly. The result is a report blemished by jargon. So, yes, use long, fancy words when they are the best communication choice, but do not use them to impress. When that is your objective, you most often will embarrass yourself.
此外，有些學識領域的學術寫作處理不容簡化，在這類學科中，學術或專門辭彙對特定群體來說有特殊意義，蘊含豐富的專業知識。此時，如果不分青紅皂白，任意反覆使用這些詞彙，那就是寫作者的錯，會讓報告因充斥難懂的行話而失色。所以，沒錯，如果很長很炫的字在溝通時最清楚，那就用吧，但是不要為了賣弄而用，否則多半只會讓你出糗。

投稿學術期刊若不僅能獲得進步的動力，甚至還能發展為個人嗜好，就能讓學者在學術生涯提早創造高峰。發表文章不只是需求，更該是一種渴望。如果您缺乏投稿動力，或不確定自己是否該投稿，接下來的新專欄可讓您重振精力，蓄勢待發。本專欄將詳細介紹發表論文的五大效益，讓您重拾寫作動力，拓展自身實力。Scholars reach a point early in their careers when publication of their scholarly work becomes not only a key to advancement but a personal desire. The impulse to seek publication moves from need to want. For those not yet motivated to publish or who might be second-guessing a decision to do so, the following series might help refocus their energies. Each of the 5 benefits will be presented and explained on the TPS Fan page before being compiled as a series.

Benefit # 2 – Peer recognition is expanded
效益二：增進同儕認可

A scholar being published in an academic journal is like a pebble being tossed into a pool of water. An initial splash of publicity is followed by ripples of influence that can radiate for long distances. This can be explained in one word: respect. Academic journals are peer-reviewed publications, meaning that inclusion of an article in a journal certifies that it has been reviewed by professionals of the same discipline and found worthy of professional consideration.
文章獲得學術期刊發表，就像小石子投入池塘中，剛發表時會激起一陣水花，之後還會造成一圈圈影響力無遠弗屆的漣漪，總合成一個詞，就是會獲得「敬重」。學術文章由學術同儕審核，論文刊登在期刊上，表示通過同一學門的專家審核，證明文章值得專家重視。

It is these “referees” who are the first challenge—or opportunity—for a scholar. They are given the responsibility to determine the seriousness of a submitted paper, thereby concluding if it is worthy of publication. While peer reviews vary in purpose, all reviewers look for evidence that a paper meets a discipline’s accepted standards, and that its conclusions are supported by evidence. A tangential, unsubstantiated, poorly written piece of opinion hasn’t got a chance.
學者首先面臨的挑戰，同時也是最初的機會，來自學術文章的「鑑定人」。這些鑑定人有責任決定來稿內容是否認真創作、重要，值得發表。同儕審查儘管目的相異，但所有審查人都會裁量論文是否符合該學門的公認標準，結論是否確有根據。若討論只是浮光掠影、寫作拙劣貧乏，自然無法獲得期刊登載。

When a scholar clears the referee hurdle and eventually has a paper published, his influence begins to ripple outward among his community of peers. While they may not know the author of the published piece, they trust the publication’s review process. Its endorsement of the paper as a meaningful contribution to the discipline is a good enough reason to read it. Thus are doors opened and networks established for the published scholar, rewards that justify the extra effort.
學者過了鑑定人這道關卡，終於躋身期刊發表人之林後，影響力就能在學術圈內逐漸擴散。其他同儕也許並不認識論文作者，但信賴期刊的審核過程，既然期刊為這篇文章背書，肯定文章對該學門的貢獻，就值得讀上一讀了。於是機會之門敞開，人脈也建立起來，學者辛苦耕耘，終於有了收穫。

投稿學術期刊若不僅能獲得進步的動力，甚至還能發展為個人嗜好，就能讓學者在學術生涯提早創造高峰。發表文章不只是需求，更該是一種渴望。如果您缺乏投稿動力，或不確定自己是否該投稿，接下來的新專欄可讓您重振精力，蓄勢待發。本專欄將詳細介紹發表論文的五大效益，讓您重拾寫作動力，拓展自身實力。Scholars reach a point early in their careers when publication of their scholarly work becomes not only a key to advancement but a personal desire. The impulse to seek publication moves from need to want. For those not yet motivated to publish or who might be second-guessing a decision to do so, the following series might help refocus their energies. Each of the 5 benefits will be presented and explained on the TPS Fan page before being compiled as a series.

Benefit # 1 – Skills and capacity are developed
效益一：發展技巧與能力

Being a scholar does not necessarily mean one is able to produce a journal-worthy paper. Thinking profoundly, and profoundly expressing the fruits of one’s thinking are two different skills. Just as logic and analysis can be honed by practice, writing clearly and persuasively comes from learning and doing. To have one’s work published in an academic journal demands that a subject not only be comprehensively researched but also effectively and adroitly communicated.
並非每位學者都能寫出可以刊登在期刊的論文。能深刻地思考，與能寫出深刻的文章、展現思考的成果，是兩種不同的能力。就像邏輯和分析可以經由練習鍛鍊，寫作顯然也可以透過學習與實踐精進。要在學術期刊上發表文章，不僅要徹底研究主題，還必須能巧妙而有效地傳達。

So, the first benefit of being published in a journal is that the author of a piece has pushed himself to do his best work. Shallow treatment of an original topic or significant derivative will not be accepted by a journal’s publication committee, who can spot a scholar out of his depth. A journal’s gatekeepers might not be able to define excellence in subject and treatment, but they know it when they see it. A scholar must push himself to deliver identifiably superior work.
所以，投稿期刊的第一項效益，就是可以督促自己精益求精。題目有獨創性但研究膚淺，或研究明顯離題，是無法讓期刊的發表委員接受的。發表委員為期刊把關，可以看出學者是否有深度；在選題或研究上，他們自己或許不是那麼技巧精湛，但卻對此很有鑑賞力。學者必須督促自己提出優秀的研究成果，展現成果出色之處。

Of course, it is an implied insult to suggest that a scholar has an elastic work ethic and that he only stretches himself in high-profile assignments such as writing for publication. The fact remains, some professional thresholds are higher than others. A scholar wishing to cross over into the realm of his published peers must call upon all of his faculties, experience, and writing capacity to turn research and reflection into a document deemed revelatory and important.
當然，這不表示學者研究時可以有不同的標準，只有在投稿發表等重要工作上才全力以赴。然而，某些工作的專業門檻確實比其他工作高，若想加入其他發表學者的行列，就必須盡力運用自己的能力、經驗與寫作技巧，將研究與省思的成果，寫成具有啟發性的重要文章。

「我很努力要為論文寫出有趣的引言，但指導教授卻說我的引言只是「還可以」。有沒有什麼方法可以指引我寫出好的引言，吸引讀者？」

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: I struggled to come up with an interesting introduction to my paper. My instructor said it was just “OK.” What guidelines are there for writing an introduction that will grab the reader?
我很努力要為論文寫出有趣的引言，但指導教授卻說我的引言只是「還可以」。有沒有什麼方法可以指引我寫出好的引言，吸引讀者？

Choose an interesting subject. Next question? Seriously, the hunt for an interesting introduction begins with choosing a subject worthy of a reader’s interest. Creating interest from a pile of boredom is a mighty labor indeed, so give yourself (and your readers) a break and choose your subject wisely. Now if your next question is, how do I choose an interesting subject, there might be no hope for you. The answer is, choose a subject that interests you. If you are interested, you will research and write with inspiration and zeal and it will show—including in the introduction.
選個有趣的題目。好，來看下一個問題……好吧，說真的，要寫出有趣的引言，一開始就該選個能引起讀者興趣的題目。要從滿紙無聊的內容中創造有趣的引言真的非常費事，所以就幫你自己（還有你的讀者）一個忙，好好選個題目吧。如果接下來你還要問，該怎麼選個有趣的題目？那你大概就沒救了。答案是，選個你自己有興趣的題目。如果你對題目有興趣，研究與寫作時自然就能發揮靈感，展現熱誠，這股熱情會展現在你的文章裡，包括展現在你的引言中。

As for the mechanics of creating an interesting introduction, several tools are recommended. One is to startle the reader with a piece of revelation—a fact you have unearthed, perhaps, or a fresh perspective that forces a reader to adjust his thinking so he can follow where you plan to take him. Imagine your reader blinking his eyes and saying under his breath, “Hmm. That’s interesting.” That’s what you are after. You can also accomplish this by posing one or two provocative questions, or by quoting a recognized authority, which lends immediate credibility.
實際寫作方面，有許多好方法可以運用。例如，寫出你出人意料的發現－可能是你的新發現，或是嶄新的觀點，讓讀者不得不調整自己的想法，才能順著你的文章讀下去。讀者或許會眨眨眼睛，心想：嗯，有意思。這就是你該追求的目標。此外，你也可以提出一兩個煽動性的問題，或引用權威作者的話，立刻創造可信度。

Hereafter, a word of caution: Don’t try for a zinger. The difference between a zinger and an interesting, even provocative, introduction is that a zinger tries too hard. It clearly exists only to shock, rather than to, as you say, “grab the reader.” Your goal is to grab someone, not to push him away. Examples: (1) “High fashion isn’t so new: A red dye for cosmetics dates to the Aztecs.” (Hmm. Interesting.) (2) “Crush the shell of a certain pregnant insect and you can color your lips red.” (Gross!) Know where the line is between interesting readers and insulting them.
之後，我想提出一個忠告－不要賣弄聰明。賣弄聰明和有趣、甚至煽動性的引言間，差別就在前者有點過頭，只會嚇到讀者，而不是如你所說，能「吸引讀者」。你的目標是吸引讀者，而不是把讀者嚇跑。舉個例子：(1)「高級時尚缺乏新意：化妝品紅色染料可追溯到阿茲提克帝國時代」（嗯，聽起來很有趣）。(2)「磨碎懷孕昆蟲的外殼，帶給你紅艷雙唇」（好噁心！）記得分清楚什麼會讓讀者覺得有趣，什麼會讓他們感覺受到侮辱。

真正的學者不會竊取他人的想法，不過研究過程中，有時可能無意間侵占了其他研究者的想法或表達方式。本系列「避免抄襲的七大方法」提供訣竅，幫助你避免不小心冒用他人的心血結晶。每則訣竅將刊登在 TPS 專頁。
A true scholar is not a thief. Yet stealing another researcher’s ideas or method of expressing them sometimes happens inadvertently in the course of research. How to avoid accidentally passing off someone else’s work as your own is the subject of this series, “7 Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism.” Each of the tips will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled with the others as a series.

Tip # 7 – Do not steal ideas either.
方法七：剽竊想法亦不可取

The most common plagiarism is the verbatim copying of another person’s writings or recordings without crediting the original author. However, there is another dimension of plagiaristic practice that is even more fundamental: stealing a person’s ideas. This is a grayer area of theft because ideas exist as concepts, dreams, theories, and postulations. If recorded at all, they are skeletal. Nonetheless, they have been conceived by someone else and the conception should be honored.
最常見的剽竊是一字不差的照抄別人的文章或記錄，而且沒有註明原作者的名字。然而，還有一種剽竊涉及更根本的層次，就是竊取他人的想法。竊取想法屬於剽竊的灰色地帶，因為想法是一種概念、夢想、理論或假設，即使真有紀錄，也只略具雛形。然而，想法是他人構思出來的，應該尊重別人的思考結晶。

As in so many other cases, idea-stealing often is an accidental result of sloppy or casual research practices. It often happens when note-taking has mingled source material with some personal observations and sparked an epiphany. The problem is, the epiphany really is an axiomatic rendering of someone else’s formulations. The other person thought of it; you merely absorbed it into your thought process after reading his writings, and failed to attribute it to him in your notes.
許多情況下，剽竊想法通常是因為研究草率馬虎，不經意造成的結果，多半是作筆記時，混雜了資料來源和個人觀察，因此有了體悟。問題是，這種體悟不過是拾人牙慧。別人有了想法，你不過是讀了他的文章，把他的想法到納入自己的思維中，又忘了在筆記裡註明想法的起頭。

This happens easiest when a writer is dispositionally inclined to round corners. In other words, lazy and unconscionable writers will rationalize the similarity of their ideas and a predecessor’s. For such writers, there are no tips that will save them. For the great body of true academic researchers, however, it is enough to know that an idea is sacrosanct, and that honesty and accurate note-taking can preserve professional integrity as well as honor the work of others.
若寫作的人傾向得過且過，特別容易發生這種情況。換言之，懶惰的研究者若發現自己的想法和前人相同，會昧著良心將這點合理化。對這樣的人來說，什麼避免剽竊的方法都沒有用。不過，對大多數真正的學術研究者來說，想法是神聖不可侵犯的；做筆記時精密確實，能避免專業誠信毀於一旦，也能尊重他人的思考結晶。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: I have reread my last paper, which was graded low by my instructor for being shallow, and I guess he is right. How do I know when I am writing a deep paper as opposed to a shallow one?
我重讀了一次最近寫的論文，教授認為這篇論文內容太膚淺，給我的分數很低。讀完後，我覺得教授說得沒錯。我要怎麼知道自己寫的論文是膚淺還是有深度呢？

You seem genuinely interested in learning the difference between depth and shallowness in a scholarly paper. I wonder, though, why interest in these characteristics is blooming so late. Curiosity should be a trademark of someone entering the academic writing learning level. That is what separates scholars from the reluctantly schooled. A scholar is so curious about a subject that he is driven to explore it completely, rather than to skim it for just enough information to satisfy a requirement. It is impossible to skim a topic and come away with an in-depth report.
你似乎真的很想了解學術論文的深淺，不過我在想，這股精神好像發展得遲了些。剛學習學術寫作的人都應該要有好奇心，是認真研究還是勉強交差，差別就在有沒有好奇心。學者總是充滿好奇，這股精神驅使他們深入了解、全面鑽研一個主題，而非僅是點到為止，只求過關。因為如果只是蜻蜓點水，不可能寫出有深度的報告。

So become curious and let your intellect lead you deeper into a subject. However, to manage your curiosity in researching a paper, it is necessary to plan well. That is because a preliminary outline does not allow for discoveries made during research. If you are preparing a paper on Xinzheng, for example, and learn of the unearthed 4,000-year-old Xia dynastic capital in the city limits, your research path must zig and zag to incorporate the ancient material. The uncurious person considers such discovery a distraction; the curious researcher considers it enrichment.
所以你必須充滿好奇，運用智慧尋根究底。不過，寫論文作研究時，要駕馭自己的好奇心，必須妥當計畫，初步大綱並無法涵蓋研究期間的其他發現。若你準備撰寫與河南新鄭有關的論文，並得知在新鄭市郊，出土了四千年前夏朝首都的考古遺跡，你的研究就必須納入這些材料。缺乏好奇心的研究者認為這種發現與研究無關，有好奇心的研究者卻認為這種發現可以讓研究更豐富。

Think of your paper as a layered cake. Obvious and easily collected information is the frosting. It looks good but is thin. An instructor should be able to open your paper and beneath the frosting find two or three layers of cake—that is, two or three levels of content that might not be as sweet as the covering layer but is considerably more textured and satisfying. If your professor is given a thick frosting on a one-layer cake, no wonder he grumbles. You can’t build a multilayered paper unless you are curious, committed to thorough research, and open to discovery.
論文就像有很多層次的蛋糕，顯而易見、容易蒐集的資料像蛋糕上的糖霜，看起來漂亮，但只有薄薄一層。教授閱讀你的論文時，應該能發現糖霜下的蛋糕還有兩、三層，也就是內容還要有兩、三個層次，看起來也許不像糖霜般可口，但結構組織卻更豐富理想。若教授拿到的蛋糕只有一層厚厚的糖霜，當然不會滿意。想寫出層次豐富的論文，一定要充滿好奇，詳盡研究，並對新發現保持開放的態度。

真正的學者不會竊取他人的想法，不過研究過程中，有時可能無意間侵占了其他研究者的想法或表達方式。本系列「避免抄襲的七大方法」提供訣竅，幫助你避免不小心冒用他人的心血結晶。每則訣竅將刊登在 TPS 專頁。
A true scholar is not a thief. Yet stealing another researcher’s ideas or method of expressing them sometimes happens inadvertently in the course of research. How to avoid accidentally passing off someone else’s work as your own is the subject of this series, “7 Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism.” Each of the tips will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled with the others as a series.

Tip # 6 – Hone your interview skills
方法六：磨練訪談技巧

Much of the material utilized in an academic paper will come from books, cataloged papers, and other printed material, as well as from electronic and online sources. Handling of information from those sources has been addressed in previous tips. But what about the scientific peer, the working historian, or the discovered contemporary whose insights are not written down? This is where interviewing skills can elicit information—while giving full credit to the living source.
學術論文使用的材料多半來自書本、編入目錄中的論文、其他紙本資料，以及電子與線上資料，本單元前幾篇討論了如何處理這些來源的訊息。但如果科學界同行、持續研究的歷史學者，或有探討發現的當代學者尚未將見解付諸筆墨呢？此時訪談技巧就能幫助探究資訊，此類資料同樣也必須充分標註來源。

The recording of answers in an interview first of all has a mechanical dimension. The answers do not exist until the person being interviewed speaks. If they are not property recorded, they still do not exist. Therefore, it is important to test and properly operate a recording device before and during an interview. As a backup, it also is a good idea for the interviewer to take as many notes as possible without losing the thread of the conversation or treating the interviewee rudely.
首先，紀錄受訪者的答案涉及操作層面，受訪對象開口前，答案並不存在，若訪問沒有適當紀錄，答案依然不存在。因此，訪談前與訪談中，一定要測試錄音器材能否正確運作。訪談者也可以作筆記，以備不時之需，但不能因為作筆記而影響談話的思路，或對受訪人不夠禮貌。

In written notes, the assumption should be that all sentences or sentence parts are exact quotes.Quotes, paraphrases, and interviewer observations must be clearly denoted, perhaps using pens with different ink colors. Distinguishing among the notes is especially vital when a digital recording is not allowed. Memory should not be relied upon to make the notational distinctions. If a sloppy writer inadvertently steals verbal expression by calling it his own, he is a plagiarist.
手寫筆記時，所有句子或片段都必須確實引用，清楚區別「引用」、「換句話說」或「訪談者觀察」，可以分別用不同顏色的筆來記錄。若無法以數位方式錄音，區分筆記的不同內容便特別重要，而且區分不能依賴記憶。若作者太草率，誤把受訪者說的話當作自己說的，就會構成剽竊。