SAE Transactions

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Learning More About
SAE Transactions
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What is Transactions?
SAE Transactions is an annual, archival
publication of all the best technical papers from
the given year for which it is published.
Because Transactions is an archival publication,
technical papers with excellent long-term
reference value usually have the best chance to
be selected for inclusion.
All technical papers approved for publication by
SAE are considered for Transactions. On average,
only 25 30 of all papers published in a given
year by SAE are also selected for Transactions.
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What is Transactions?
SAE Transactions annually consists of the
following seven journals
Journal of Aerospace
Journal of Commercial Vehicles
Journal of Engines
Journal of Fuels Lubricants
Journal of Materials Manufacturing
Journal of Passenger Cars Mechanical Systems
Journal of Passenger Cars Electrical
Electronic Systems
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SAE Paper Review Process
Author submits review-ready manuscript.
Author submits abstract.
Organizer accepts abstract.
Reviewers score paper (using Judgment Bases) and
make recommendation for or against Transactions.
Organizer approves paper for publication and
makes recommendation for or against Transactions.
Organizer facilitates review of paper (at least 3
peer reviews)
Activity Chair, or Conference Chair, makes
Transactions selections.
Please notice that its the Activity Chair, or
Technical Program Chair, who actually makes
Transactions selections.
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Session Organizer Role

• Facilitate review at least three qualified
  technical paper reviewers.
• If appropriate, approve technical paper for SAE
  publication.
• Make recommendation either for or against
  inclusion of paper in SAE Transactions.

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Reviewer Role

• Read and score technical paper (according to
  Judgment Bases).
• Update scores/comments if/when author revises
  technical paper
• Make recommendations either for or against
  inclusion of paper in SAE Transactions.

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Judgment Bases / Review Criteria

• Is the paper free from commercialism?
• Is the paper free from personalities and bias?
• Is the paper clear and balanced?
• Is prior work of others adequately credited?
• Does the author avoid disparaging competitive
  methods or products?
• Are references to previous work presented
  constructively, in a fair and balanced manner?

• Does the introductory section explain motivation
  and orient the reader?
• Does the paper describe what was done, how it was
  done, and the key results?
• Does the paper stay focused on its subject?
• Are tables and figures clear, relevant and
  correct?
• Are the concepts clearly presented?
• Is the paper logically organized?
• Are titles and keywords used appropriately?
• Is the papers length appropriate to its scope?
• Does the author demonstrate knowledge of basic
  composition skills, including word choice,
  sentence structure, paragraph development,
  grammar, punctuation, spelling, and citation of
  references?

• Quality of Data

• Is the paper technically sound?
• Does the paper evaluate the strengths and
  limitations of the work described?
• Are performance metrics clearly stated?
• Are results clearly described?
• Is relevant previous research discussed
  adequately?
• Are all assumptions referenced by previous proven
  works?

All technical papers considered for publication
by SAE are graded on six criteria

• Long-term Reference Value

• Would this papers content still be relevant and
  likely to be cited in future works?
• Are the results and interpretation of lasting
  scientific value?
• Is the topic important to the field?
• Does the paper strengthen or extend the state of
  the art?

• Technically New Innovative

• Are the claims of the paper firmly established?
• Are conclusions sound theoretically or
  experimentally?
• Are conclusions supported by the facts presented?

• Does the subject matter have an interested
  audience today?
• Are ideas/information and methods worthwhile,
  new, or creative?
• Is the author the source of new information?
• Are analytical, numerical, or experimental
  results and interpretation original?
• Is the impact of the results clearly stated?

• Professional Integrity

• Clear Presentation

• Soundness of Conclusions

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Calculating Transactions Scores
The final Transactions score is calculated as
follows Each judgment basis is scored from 1
(low) 10 (high)
Judgment Basis
Multiplier
Score
Long-term reference value score
x 4

Technically new/Innovative score
x 3

Professional Integrity score
x 2

Clear Presentation score
x 1

TOTAL (WEIGHTED) TRANSACTIONS SCORE
(Out of 100 possible)
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E X A M P L E
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Calculating Transactions Scores
The final Transactions score is calculated as
follows Each judgment basis is scored from 1
(low) 10 (high)
Judgment Basis
Multiplier
Score
Long-term reference value score
x 4

8
32
Technically new/Innovative score
x 3

9
27
Professional Integrity score
x 2

6
12
Clear Presentation score
x 1

7
7
78
TOTAL (WEIGHTED) TRANSACTIONS SCORE
(Out of 100 possible)
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Whats a Good Score?

• All papers with an average weighted Transactions
  score of at least 70 will be considered for
  Transactions.
• THERE IS NO TRANSACTIONS SCORE THAT WILL
  GUARANTEE JOURNAL INCLUSION.
• The Activity Chair, or Conference Chair, must
  still select the paper for Transactions if it is
  to be included.

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NOTE
Quality of Data and Soundness of Conclusions
are not part of the calculated Transactions
Score, but are considered when reviewing a paper
for SAE publication.
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Activity Chair Role

• The Activity Chair (or Conference Chair, in the
  aerospace sector) decides whether or not a paper
  is included in SAE Transactions.
• He/she considers the recommendations of both the
  reviewers and the session organizers.
• He/she may also review the technical paper
  personally to assist in making a decision.
• The Activity Chair/Conference Chair also may
  recommend one or more papers for the Arch T.
  Colwell award, which is an elite annual subset
  of Transactions-selected papers, based on very
  specific criteria.

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Thanks for your time!

• If you have any questions about SAEs technical
  paper review process, or about SAE Transactions,
  please contact
• Bob Kornrumpf at SAE
• Email robertk_at_sae.org
• Ph 1.724.772.4030