1. Writing Scientific Reports

2. 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

3. Technical Communication- 5Cs
Clarity
Conciseness
Concreteness
Coherence
Context

4. 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!

5. 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

6. 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!

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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

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

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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?

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

17. 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?

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

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