Writing Scientific Reports

Common Mistakes Write “shorthand” To sound scientific and objective Focus on facts and details rather than analysis Imply analysis and reasoning without making the argument explicit Assume reader will read meaning into text Ignore problems in usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation

Technical Communication- 5Cs Clarity Conciseness Concreteness Coherence Context

Lab Report: Component Parts Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusion This is the order in which you read lab report Not the order in which you write it!

Lab Report Component Parts Introduction Background & objectives; scope & limitations; previous work/research Methods Procedures & materials Results Data presented; tables, figures, calculations Discussion Link to introduction; interpretation; alternative explanations Conclusion – summary main point References – sources referred to in report

Structure Can’t change component parts But can Report tells a story! Make interesting and readable by focusing on internal structure of sections Make sections flow together Choose what info is included, left out, emphasized Report tells a story!

Writing Process Start with the data – not the introduction Narrow them down to a few figures Find the trends in the figures. Tell your readers how to read your figures and what the main point is

Writing Process Start with Methods and Results sections Connect results with how you got them Then connect your interpretation of results (Discussion) to scientific assumptions or principles (Existing theories) Connect what you set out to do (Introduction) to what you found (Conclusion)

INTRODUCTION SECTION What does existing research say? The introduction states the objective or purpose of the experiment and provides the reader with important background and/or theory to the experiment. What does existing research say? How does your experiment fit?

Writing prompts for the introduction What kind of problem did you work on? Why did you work on this problem? What should the reader know or understand when he/she is finished reading the report?

Writing prompts for introduction Which research question did you set out to answer? What was your expected answer or assumptions about the outcome of this investigation? Hypothesis? Relate assumptions to findings

METHODS SECTION Accurate and complete account of what you did in the lab and what materials you used Usually a chronological structure Past tense

Writing prompts for methods How was the experiment designed? On what subjects were the experiment performed? How were the subjects/materials prepared? What equipment was used? What sequence of events did you follow as you handled the subjects or as you recorded the data?

RESULTS SECTION Present data State in verbal form as well as visual Use a sentence or two to draw attention to key points in graphs, figures, etc. Number and title tables and graphs Use appendix for raw data or complex calculations

Writing prompts for Results What are your results? Is the data presented so results are clear, logical and self-explanatory? What is the main point – what ties results together?

DISCUSSION SECTION You show that you understand the experiment beyond the simple level of completing it. Analyse Interpret

Writing prompts for discussion section Analysis What do the results indicate clearly? What are the sources of error? How do the results compare to the theory/hypothesis? Interpretation What is the significance of the results? How do you justify that interpretation? Suggested improvements for future research?

Conclusion Usually short in student lab reports State what you know as result of lab No new information

Writing Process – stages Planning Purpose of section Brainstorm, mindmap, outline Writing Revising Turn it in!