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Writing Effective CHI Papers: A Guide

· 3 min read
Suwon Yoon
Suwon Yoon
Admin

This post is inspired by Sebastian Deterding's presentation on "How to write a good CHI paper (that might just get accepted)". Let's dive into the key aspects of crafting a compelling CHI paper.

Understanding CHI​

CHI, short for the ACM SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, is the premier conference in human-computer interaction. With over 4,600 attendees in 2023 and a history spanning four decades, it's a highly competitive venue with an acceptance rate of about 27.6%.

Writing for CHI is unique - it's 70% about writing a good paper and 30% about understanding CHI's specific requirements. Let's explore what makes a CHI paper stand out.

The Art of Contribution​

CHI values novel, timely contributions to HCI. But what exactly counts as a contribution? It's not just about filling a gap - there are infinite gaps to fill. Instead, focus on:

  1. Identifying a real-world problem or opportunity that matters to your academic audience.
  2. Finding or creating something that improves our understanding or approach to that problem.
  3. Demonstrating how your work can change the way we think or act.

Avoid common pitfalls like:

  • Claiming novelty without explaining its significance ("We're the first to study X in teenagers")
  • Making statements without HCI relevance ("Sense of ownership drives recycling")
  • Focusing on technology without context ("We made X using LLMs")
  • Stating results without broader implications ("Our system is liked by users")

Types of Contributions​

CHI accepts various types of contributions, including:

  1. Empirical studies of system use or human behavior
  2. New artifacts or systems
  3. Novel methods or methodologies
  4. Theoretical frameworks
  5. Critical essays or arguments
  6. Meta-analyses or literature surveys
  7. Valuable datasets for HCI research

Keys to Acceptance​

A successful CHI paper typically:

  1. Clearly shows how it advances HCI (contribution and originality)
  2. Convinces reviewers that the contribution is well-founded and not overstated (validity and transparency)
  3. Is easy to read and understand (clarity)

Remember, these qualities should be evident even from a quick skim of your paper.

Common Pitfalls​

Even with novel contributions, papers may be rejected due to:

  • Poor formatting and numerous typos
  • Unsupported or exaggerated claims
  • Confusing or overly long text
  • Use of insensitive or uncritical language

By keeping these points in mind and focusing on clear, well-supported, and relevant contributions, you'll be on your way to crafting a CHI paper that stands a better chance of acceptance. Good luck with your writing!