THE TRIPLE HELIX INC.

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, SOCIETY AND LAW

Writing for the Triple Helix

The Triple Helix focuses on scientific and technological developments and their
implications for society and/or the law. As the focus of the journal is interdisciplinary in
nature, articles must demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach. Articles that focus
solely on the social, political, economic, or legal components of the issue to the
detriment of the scientific thematic will not be published.

Major Forms of Articles

In choosing a topic, you should also consider the approach you wish to take in relation
to your chosen topic. Articles may take three major forms:
ƒ A news review article outlines recent advancements in a particular field and
evaluates them in the context of existing knowledge. Evaluations should be based
upon a discussion of the relevant evidence and an analysis of the consistency of
the evidence, concluding with areas for future research
ƒ An analytical piece outlines how a particular scientific issue affects society.
Analyses should provide a brief historical overview of the development, and then
turn more broadly to its effects, focussing on the interaction between different
community groups, the role of government and other stakeholders and/or different
ethical frameworks.
ƒ An opinion piece expresses your view on a current scientific issue, or on a legal or
ethical issue in a scientific area. Opinion pieces should provide a brief overview of
the issue, a critical examination of the current methods of dealing with the issue
and a possible solution to the issue. These pieces must be backed by solid
evidence and must also acknowledge opposing views.

Choosing Topics
ƒ Consider the list of topics posted on our website, and have a look at articles that
have been published in previous editions of The Triple Helix.
ƒ Peruse headlines from credible media sources. However, you should avoid
rehashing popular or cliché arguments which have already been widely circulated.
ƒ Check out the latest academic research from reputable publications. Look for
papers which interest you and have an ethical, political, or societal component. If
you see ethical parallels between your issue and mainstream ones, this is your
opportunity to make the connection for readers.
ƒ Essays and reports that have been completed as part of your undergraduate
studies can also be submitted as long as they fit the journal’s requirements. Please
be aware they may require some revision to suit our publication.
ƒ You are encouraged to prepare several topics in case your original topic is
unsuitable.

Article Proposal
ƒ The aim of an article proposal is to enable the editorial team to evaluate and give
you early feedback on your article’s topic and approach. It is also a good
opportunity for you to organise your preliminary research. The more information
you can provide at this stage, the better.
ƒ You will need to have:
o A tentative/working title for your article
o An idea of what approach your article will take
o An outline of your major arguments, including examples and case studies
 THE TRIPLE HELIX INC.
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, SOCIETY AND LAW
ƒ You will need to able to demonstrate the significance of your subject matter and
the originality of your argument.
ƒ It would be preferable if you are able to provide a working set of sources, but this is
not strictly necessary, particularly if you have a substantial number of examples
and case studies.
ƒ You may submit more than one article proposal if you have several topics in mind.

Major stages of the process

Article proposal submissions
The editorial team evaluates submitted proposals based on how they fit with the
journal’s aims and requirements. Once your proposal has been approved, an editor will
provide you with feedback on your article. You should take the editor’s suggestions and
comments into account when writing your first draft.
Draft Submissions
ƒ First drafts: Most editorial changes are made at this stage and you may be asked
to provide sources for statements which require more substantiation, as well as
rewrite certain paragraphs to improve the flow of the article.
ƒ Second drafts: Editors will proofread your article and may ask for sources to be
provided for statements which require more substantiation, particularly where new
information has been inserted following the first draft. Your article is then submitted
to a Faculty Advisor who will proofread your article and ensure that it is scientifically
robust. You must amend your article in accordance with the Faculty Advisor’s
comments.
ƒ Final drafts: Your final draft should address all issues raised by the Faculty
Advisor and contain all necessary sources to support any new information inserted.
ƒ SLE approval: All major drafts are forwarded to the Senior Literary Editor of the
region for approval. Writers must take the SLE’s comments into account for each
draft.
ƒ Other drafts: Please note that the first draft ’, ‘second draft, and ‘final draft’ stages
are merely formal stages. It is quite common for several drafts to be exchanged
between you and your editor in between these formal stages in order for your final
draft to be perfect.
ƒ Tracked changes: All changes and comments made are tracked and will be
subject to your approval. However, you should note that articles which fail to meet
the highest writing standards at the final draft stage will not be published. It would
also be greatly appreciated if you could briefly address your grounds for rejecting
any comments changes.
Production
Final drafts are sent to the US for production. Changes may be made by the US
production team at this stage; however, this situation rarely occurs.
 THE TRIPLE HELIX INC.
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, SOCIETY AND LAW

List of reputable sources

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and the various libraries around the campus
will provide you with a greater range of publications.

Science Politics and Economics

Nature, Science, The New England The Economist. Wall Street Journal,
Journal of Medicine, European Journal Far Eastern Economic Review
on Biophysics, World Health Report by Business Review Weekly, Journal of
the World Health Organization Economics

Law Other databases

Most university law reviews/journals
and legal bulletins are also credible
sources of information
Alternative Law Journal, Psychiatry,
Psychology and Law, John Marshall
Journal of Computer and Information
Law
University of Melbourne e-Prints
Repository
(http://eprints.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/)
PubMed, The World Bank (has
publications and information on
research topics:
http://www.worldbank.org/), World
Health Organization

For further information:

Editor-in-Chief: Celeste Leong
Email: c.leong@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au

Senior Editor: Maryam Jahanshahi

Email: m.jahanshahi@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au
 THE TRIPLE HELIX INC.
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, SOCIETY AND LAW

Article Proposal
Author: _____________________________________________________________________

Working title: _________________________________________________________________

Type of article: … News Review … Analysis … Opinion

What is the significance of your article? Why is the subject matter important? How is your
argument innovative/original/unique?

Outline of major arguments:

1.

Example/substantiation:
2.

Example/substantiation:
3.

Example/substantiation:
4.

Example/substantiation:
5.

Example/substantiation: