Difference between Conference Paper and Journal Paper

Conference Paper VS Journal Paper

In most cases, as a researcher, you get confused between conference paper and journal paper. In this article, you will gain a clear distinction between these categorically separated research papers. At the foremost, you will come to know the difference between Conference and Journal and thereby will come to know about the kind of papers that these platforms demand.

Conference vs. Journal

A conference is a formal meeting of scholars for several days that aims to derive innovative ideas and solutions for the research field. A conference paper gets presented in a conference, where you will find the physical presence of many eminent scholars dealing with similar fields of research. You need to make a prior submission of your paper, which will be reviewed by the panel of scholars. Once your paper gets accepted by the panel, you will be invited to present your paper. Presentation of a conference paper within the specified timeline of the conference is like delivering your research-based thoughts to these scholars for reviews and further refinement.

A journal is a printed academic periodical that includes peer-reviewed articles in a determined research field. A journal paper is meant to be published in a particular journal, on a monthly, bi-monthly, or yearly basis. The targeted journal assesses the paper for publication through the peer-reviewed credibility of the research accomplished by you. Once your research paper gains a relevant amount of acceptance from your peers, it gets considered for publication in the periodical. Publication of a research paper in a journal is like getting recognition by scholars for your innovative input in the respective field of knowledge.  

Conference Papers vs. Journal Papers

It is necessary to understand that both these genres are about identifying an issue and offering a personalised solution after an adequate amount of study and brainstorming sessions. Irrespective of this similarity, there are few more things that you need to consider while writing a conference paper, which stand completely different from writing a journal paper. A few of the core differences between a Conference Paper and a Journal Paper are noted below:

When you write a conference paper, you must remain highly engaged in organising every point of your ideas and speculations. As you will present this paper to a group of scholars on a face-to-face basis, the paper must be constructed with room for interaction. You also need to remain calm while facing the criticisms and comments. However, a journal paper is meant for publication. Though like conference paper, this paper too should be highly engaging yet it does not face any session on face-to-face interactions or debates. Being a scholarly write up for a periodical publication, a journal paper aims to reach targeted scholars. Unlike the verbal presentation of a conference paper, the journal paper gets written for publication.

Time and Length

The conference papers follow strict timelines for the selection of the most suitable papers for a conference, whereas the journal papers can consider a longer duration for the approval of a research paper. Since, unlike the written journal papers, the conference papers are liable to get delivered orally, they are subject to remain concrete with very specific points. In this way, the conference papers are comparatively concise and restricted to limited pages than any journal paper. You need to note that the conference paper must be created for a read-out of 20 to 30 minutes, with time for debates and discussions. On the other hand, a journal paper has the liberty to get extended to 20 to 25 pages, or as allowed by the specified journal. It is here that you need to consider the aforementioned differences in the platforms of Conferences and Journals, where these papers are targeted to get presented or published. 

Format and Citation

The format of a conference paper and a journal paper differs in terms of having limited and detailed numbers of headings and subheadings, respectively. The figure below illustrates how the conference paper considers only 3 to 4 headings to express the innovative thought or experiment of the researcher. It also presents the need for more headings and subheadings in a journal paper for adding detailed written explanations in support of the research process.   

The citation style in both the conference paper and the journal paper is usually marked by the APA Style. In both cases the format for citing the in-text references under APA style will follow:

In the case of Publication considered from journal articles, the citation should be-

Author’s last name, first and middle names’ initials. (Year). Title of the Paper. Name of the Journal Name, Volume no, Issue no., page no/s. URL or DOI 

Note: The Name of the Journal will get Italised

In the case of Publication considered from a book, the citation should be-

Author last name, Initials of the first and middle names. (Year). Title of the Paper. In Editor’s first and middle names’ initials. Last name (Ed.), Title of the Book, page no/s. Publisher or publication House. URL or DOI 

Note: The Name of the Title of the Chapter or Paper will get Italised

Publication Process

Conference papers are always collected and published as "proceedings", which are usually printed by the respective university that organised the conference, renowned publishers, scholarly associations, or even get published online. On the contrary, the journal papers are published in reputed academic periodicals. The publication schedules vary from one journal to another. It is important to note here that conference papers are either accepted or rejected for presentation and the accepted papers are sure to be a part of the "proceedings". This is not in the case of journal publication. In journal publication, the written research paper gets reviewed several times, and every time you get a chance to modify the written content. However, there is no restriction to your mode of thinking or innovative expressions.

Eventually, it is there always suggested that always write your conference paper by keeping the specific journal in your approach. When you write a conference paper to meet the criteria of a particular journal, then the publication of your conference paper with few additions get eligible for that selected journal. This will save enough time and effort in considering the conversion of a conference paper into a journal article.