1. WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC RESEACH PAPER?

2. A scientific paper is a written and published report describing original research results.
The paper must be written in a certain way

3. Paper will have the following labeled sections:
Title (Descriptive)
Abstract (What I did in a nutshell)
Introduction (What is the problem)
Materials and Methods(How did I study)
Results (What did I find out)
Discussion (What does it mean)
Bibliography (Whose work did I refer)

4. TITLE The most read part of the paper
The title of a paper is a label not a sentence
All words in the title need to be chosen with great care.
Use specific terms to your research- avoid generalities
Titles never contain abbreviations, chemical formulas, jargon etc.

5. ABSTRACT THE PAPER IN MICRO
State the principal purpose of the investigation (Intro)
Describe the methodology employed (Methods)
Summarize the major findings (Results)
State the principal conclusions (Discussion)

6. ABSTRACT THE PAPER IN MICRO
Never put information in the abstract that is not in the paper
Do not cite references in the abstract
The abstract should not be over 175 words
The abstract is only one paragraph
The abstract is listed first in the report but written after the report is completed

7. INTRODUCTION THE FIRST REAL PART OF THE PAPER
Purpose of the introduction is to introduce the paper
Discuss purpose of the research project
Pertinent literature should be reviewed and cited
Proceeds from more general to more specifc

8. Introduction cont. The questions to be addressed include:
What is the purpose of this experiment?
How is this experiment important? (e.g. to the health of marine life, the residents of Tacoma?)
What information is known about the science involved in the experiment?

9. Introduction cont. The questions to be addressed include:
What new information will be learned from this experiment?
What is the hypothesis (or the problem statement)?
E.g. Is the health of the water at Titlow an appropriate Marine Preserve?

10. MATERIALS AND METHODS
You must provide enough detail that another person can repeat the experiment
If methods is published then just list the name of the method
Blend the materials and methods together as much as possible

11. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Write in paragraph form, past tense, 3rd person (passive voice - ) e.g. “Four water samples were taking from Titlow Beach”
Write the methods in chronological order as you progressed through the research
First part of paper to use sub-headings

12. RESULTS Objectively present key results Do not interpret
If very few numbers then include in text
If large amount of numbers then include in data table
Results is what you found out
Results should be short and sweet without verbage

13. Discussion
This is where you analyze the results & tell the readers the meaning of the data
What generalizations can be drawn from your data?
Include the important results from the experimentation to back up your statements but doesn’t repeat

14. Discussion Continued…..
Do your findings agree with others?
Summarize your evidence for each conclusion
If appropriate, what would you do next?
Ideas for future research

15. BIBLIOGRAPHY
At least 5 references
MLA format
List alphabetically

16. General Format Title page – Title, Name, Institution Double spaced
12 font
Each section has major heading
Sections may have subheadings – like materials
Pictures and tables should have captions

17. Appendix Information non-essential to understanding the paper
May help to clarify a point
May include:
Raw data
Maps
Extra photos

18. Due Date
Turn paper in to Turnitin.com You will need to create an account. Class ID: Enrollment Key: MCAPP2017 Must be received June 21, 2017 by noon!