SCIENTIFIC/ LAB REPORT

A Scientific Report is a technical document that describes the process, progress, and or results of technical or scientific research or experiment or the state of a technical or scientific research problem. It might also include recommendations and conclusion of the research. Lab Report in science class.

PURPOSE:

1.Persuade others -to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations.

2.Detail data, procedures, and outcomes- for future researchers.

3.Become part of the accepted body of scientific knowledge- when published unless later disproved.

4.Provide an archival record- for reference and document a current situation for future comparison.

PARTS:

1. TITLE

•Reflect the factual content with less than ten words in a straightforward manner.

•Use keywords researchers and search engines on the Internet will recognize.

2. ABSTRACT

      •Summarize in a concise paragraph the purpose of the report, data presented, and major conclusions in about 100 TO 200 words.

3. INTRODUCTION

     •Define the subject of the report: "Why was this study performed?"

     •Provide background information and relevant studies: "What knowledge already exists about this subject?"

     •Outline scientific purpose(s) and/or objective(s): "What are the specific hypotheses and the experimental design for investigation?“

     •End by stating your research question, your study purpose/goal, and/or any hypotheses/predictions.

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

•List materials used, how were they used, and where and when was the work done (esp. important in field studies)

•Describe special pieces of equipment and the general theory of the analyses or essays used.

•Provide enough detail for the reader to understand the experiment without overwhelming him/her. When procedures from a lab book or another report are followed exactly, simply cite the work and note that details can be found there.

5. RESULTS

     •Concentrate on general trends and differences and not on trivial details.

     •Summarize the data from the experiments without discussing their implications.

     •Organize data into tables, figures, graphs, photographs, etc. Data in a table should not be duplicated in a graph or figure.

•Title all figures and tables; include a legend explaining symbols, abbreviations, or special methods.

•Number figures and tables separately
and refer to them in the text by their number, i.e.

•Figure 1 shows that the activity....

•The activity decreases after five minutes (fig. 1)

6. DISCUSSION

    •Interpret the data; do not restate the results.

    •Relate results to existing theory and knowledge.

    •Explain the logic that allows you to accept or reject your original hypotheses

    •Speculate as necessary but identify it as such

    •Include suggestions for improving your techniques or design, or clarify areas of doubt for further research.

7. CONCLUSION

   •A summary of findings.

   •State the significance or implications of the experimental findings.

   •State the areas of future research.

8. REFERENCES

   •Cite only references in your paper and not a general bibliography on the topic

   •Alphabetize by last name of the author

   •Follow the recommended format for citations

9. APPENDICES

   •Examples of information that could be included in an appendix are figures/tables/charts/graphs of results, statistics, pictures, maps, drawings, or, if applicable, transcripts of interviews.