Writing Scientific Reports - Trinity College, Dublin

Writing Scientific Reports

Presented by: Maeve Gallagher Student Learning Development

Student Counselling Service student.learning@tcd.ie



In this workshop we will

Review purpose and qualities of scientific writing

Look at the component parts of the lab report ? structure and format

Explore the writing process Consider the best approach to writing lab

report Show examples of strong student writing

Students often

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

1. Clarity 2. Conciseness 3. Concreteness 4. Coherence 5. Context

From: 2007.pdf

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!

Typical Report Structure

Title page Abstract/summary Introduction Methodology Findings/results Analysis and discussion Summary and conclusions Recommendations References/bibliography Appendices

From: Study Guide 7: Reports, Learning Development, University of Plymouth (2008)

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

Make interesting and readable by focus on internal structure of sections

Way sections flow together What info included, left out, emphasized

Report tells a story!

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