A conference proceeding is a published collection of research presented at a conference, symposium, or academic meeting, often organized by a society or association. It may include abstracts, summaries, or full-text papers from participants. When the complete papers are published, they are known as transactions. These proceedings serve as a vital record of cutting-edge research, innovations, and discussions within a specific field.
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Conference proceedings are essential records of the research presented at academic conferences. They provide early access to insights, enabling collaboration and innovation within the academic community. This guide explains everything you need to know about conference proceedings, including how they’re published, where to find them, and why they matter.
Conference Proceedings
A conference proceeding is a record of an academic conference or symposium that conference organizers may choose to publish. This record includes abstracts or reports of research papers presented by event participants. These papers are often published in an academic journal at a later time.
It usually takes less time for conference proceedings to get published than academic research papers, making these records an important and efficient way to make others aware of a researcher’s work and have it visible faster when an academic conducts a literature review. In other words, conference proceedings help make researchers aware of new insights and industry innovations, while citing research underway on a given subject.
When reviewing citations in a journal article, conference proceedings don’t appear the same way as a research paper. Here’s how to know if the piece you’re referencing is a conference proceeding:
- The dates presented include not only the year and month, but also the days the conference was hosted.
- Conference proceeding citations include the type of session during which the research was presented, like the conference session or poster session.
- The location of the conference is included in the citation.
Conference Proceedings vs. Conference Papers
- Conference Papers: Written by researchers applying to present at a conference, these are submitted via a call for papers and reviewed by the conference committee. Accepted papers are presented in formats such as sessions, posters, or panels.
- Conference Proceedings: A published collection of all accepted papers or abstracts from a specific conference, serving as a record of the event.
The process of submitting a conference paper involves responding to the event call for papers and meeting the same deadline as other researchers hoping to participate in the event. The paper is usually submitted through an abstract management software used by conference organizers to manage their submission and review processes.
Once all conference papers are submitted, the members of the conference organizing committee review the submissions through their chosen process (usually single-blind or double-blind), and authors are notified whether their work has been accepted to the conference.
After the conference, the papers that were accepted to be presented at the conference are collected and included in the conference proceedings.
Why Are Conference Proceedings Important?
Conference proceedings allow researchers to reference and review the newest research in a specific area, before that work is published. They allow researchers to present their work in a less formal format than a published academic journal, and allow new researchers the chance to connect with others in their field.
Conference proceedings can also help academics research an event before they choose to respond to its call for papers. With the rise of predatory conferences plaguing the academic community, conference proceedings act as a record of the topics that were presented at other conferences organized by the organization calling for research, helping researchers evaluate whether an event is legitimate and worth of their energy, finances, and association. For tips on organizing a high-quality conference, check out our guide on How to Plan Your Scientific Conference.
Conference proceedings can also help researchers uncover who presented at an event and areas being researched in a specific field of study. They can also help new conference organizers gain an understanding of the volume of research and diversification of subject matter to strive for when planning their event.
Publishing Conference Proceedings: Step-by-Step
Conference proceedings are usually published by an organization that is hosting or sponsoring the event. The event organizing committee will create a publication proposal that includes details on both the conference and the organizer. That proposal is evaluated to verify that the information submitted is accurate, and published if accepted.
Steps you need to take:
- Select the organization that will publish your proceedings.
- Check the organization’s website to learn what pieces of information they require in their publishing proposals.
- Create your proposal and submit it, usually through the website of the publishing organization.
- Wait for the proposal to be evaluated.
- If accepted, the organization will send an agreement to sign, including any publishing fees that need to be paid.
- The agreement is signed and payment is submitted.
Where to Find Conference Proceedings?
- Search Engines: Use Google with keywords like “proceedings” plus your research topic.
- Journals: Explore journals relevant to your field for published proceedings.
- Conference Websites: Check the event’s official site for archived materials.
- Library Databases: Many universities and organizations provide access to past proceedings.
Conference proceedings play a critical role in advancing academic research by making early-stage findings accessible, fostering collaboration, and helping researchers evaluate and plan for future conferences. By bridging the gap between conference presentations and formal publication, they contribute to a more open and connected scientific community.
FAQs
What are conference proceedings?
Conference proceedings are collections of academic papers presented at conferences. They contain research findings, discussions, and innovations in a specific field.
How do I find conference proceedings online?
Conference proceedings can be found on platforms like IEEE Xplore, Springer, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and official conference websites.
Are conference proceedings considered publications?
Yes, they are publications, but their impact varies. Some are peer-reviewed and indexed in major databases, while others are informal records of presentations.
What is the difference between a journal and a conference proceeding?
Journals undergo a more rigorous peer-review process, while conference proceedings are published faster and may have limited peer review. Journals are often considered more prestigious for academic research.
How can I cite a conference proceeding in APA or MLA format?
In APA, a citation includes the author, year, title, editors, conference name, page numbers, and publisher. MLA follows a similar format but emphasizes the conference name and publisher.
Where can I publish my conference proceedings?
Many publishers, including IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, and ACM, accept conference papers for indexed proceedings, making them more accessible to researchers.
Do conference proceedings have an impact factor?
Conference proceedings do not have an impact factor, but some are indexed in Scopus or Web of Science, which increases their credibility.
Are conference papers peer-reviewed?
Some conference papers undergo peer review, but the process is usually less rigorous than journal articles. The level of review depends on the conference’s reputation and publisher.
Do conference proceedings count as academic research?
Yes, they contribute to academic research, but in some disciplines, journal publications hold more weight for career advancement and funding opportunities.
How can I check if a conference proceeding is indexed in Scopus or Web of Science?
Researchers can check indexing on the official Scopus or Web of Science websites by searching the conference name or ISSN. Some conference organizers also provide this information.
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