5 - Writing Science Reports
Writing Science Reports
The purpose of scientific writing is to convey a maximum amount of information using a minimum number of words. A scientific report is not to be presented in the same style as an English or History essay, for example.
The format should be that of a typical science text. Use the text for this course as an example. Introduce new topics with headings. Use a formal style and avoid the use of personal pronouns (such as “I”). Make introductions very brief and never begin with statements such as "The topic of my report is...... "
Large quantities of information can often be presented in tables, graphs, or labeled diagrams rather than in text form. These must be neatly incorporated into the report. For example, never just photocopy a whole page of a book and staple it to your report. Trim the part you want to use and attach it neatly to a blank sheet of paper. Include a caption and the reference. This will be shown later on in this handout.
A Reference or Works Cited page is essential. All diagrams should be referenced. If they are your own originals, indicate this by placing your surname in brackets with the year, e.g. (Lee, 2017). Use the format presented in this guide. If you "download and paste" without using the appropriate documentation, consequences will follow. This is plagiarism and is not permitted.
Internet Caution!
Anybody can post anything they like on the internet. Use only information that comes from reputable sources, such as recognized universities, scientific journals, or government agencies. If you have any doubts, ask your teacher. Wikipedia.org is not a suitable resource for senior high school science reports.
Report Format
Double space the report, using a plain, size-12 font. Use 1 inch margins. Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, Century Gothic are the most commonly accepted fonts. Use black or blue ink if writing the report by hand.
A separate title page should precede the report. On the title page, centre the title. Centered lower on the page, type your name and partner’s name, the date the experiment was performed, the date submitted, the course code, and the period. Include the teacher's name in case it ends up on the wrong desk.
You are likely not doing all of the original research for the report. Therefore, all information you present must be cited, not just direct quotations. Failure to do this and to include a complete References/Works Cited constitutes plagiarism and may result in a mark of zero for the entire assignment.
Material that has been covered in this or a previous science course does not need to be acknowledged if it is discussed in general terms (i.e. you did not have to look it up). This also applies to material that is common knowledge, such as the freezing point of water. If you have doubts, include a citation.
References / Works Cited
Sources are to be listed in alphabetical order, by last name of the author or organization. The type of source is not to be included, although it is in the following examples:
Book:
Author's last name first initial middles initial. (Year of Publication). Title of the book. Place of Publication
Online Document/Web Page:
Author's last name first initial middle initial (substitute organization if no author). (Date of Publication). Retrieved on ______. Available from: URL.
The above are the two most common research sources for high school students. Consult the APA Style Manual for other types of resources.
When using citations in the body of the report, state the author's (organization’s) name in brackets and indicate the year of publication, like this: (Concordia University, 2014).
Other Helpful Hints
1. Put a neat title page on the report. Make sure the title accurately describes the contents. "Summative Project" and “Lab Report” are not good choices.
2. Always use full sentences.
3. Be sure to follow proper English spellings and grammar.
4. Please do not use contractions.
5. Pages should be numbered, at the bottom of each page. The page number should be centered in the footer.
6. Label all figures at the bottom of the figure, in sequential order. The figure should also have an appropriate description of the figure.
Figure 1: Flowchart showing the Scientific Method
7. All tables should be labeled at the top, in sequential order. The table should also have an appropriate description of the table.
Table 1: 7 Base Units of the International System of Units
Base Quantity / Name of Unit / SymbolLength / Meter / m
Mass / Kilogram / kg
Time / Second / s
Temperature / Kelvin / K
Electric Current / Ampere / A
Amount of Substance / Mole / mol
Luminous Intensity / Candela / cd
8. Show a sample calculation if required.
9. Convert Imperial units to metric units. Imperial units are NEVER acceptable in science. If you include any imperial units, marks will be deducted.
10. Slip-on spines slip off in teachers' backpacks. Staples work just as well. Do not enclose individual pages in plastic. This is an effective way to aggravate anyone trying to make corrections.
11. Proofread your work and then have someone else proofread it for you to pick up the the little mistakes you made but missed because what you read was what you new should be their. The proofreader need not be a scientist. In fact, if you know anyone who has 100% in English, use there help.
12. All original data sheets should be attached to your lab reports. Your original data should be collected in black or blue pen. Do not use white out to correct your mistakes. A single line through the mistake, followed by your initials and date is sufficient.
13. If you miss a lab and there is no chance to redo the lab, you are to obtain your data from a classmate. Be sure to clearly state that the data was obtained from another student and note the student’s name.
References
Concordia University. (September 15, 2015). Retrieved on August, 2017. Available from: https://library.concordia.ca/help/howto/apa.php?guid=refover
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