Structure of Scientific Reports
1. Scientific reports are both a description of the research process and a presentation of the information discovered
a. Process of research must be described, not just results
b. The information presented requires interpretation and explanation
c. Report formats require a title, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, conclusion, and supplementary information.
i. Each section except for title and abstract should be clearly labeled
2. Title
a. A concise and appropriate description of the experiment
b. Avoid overreaching claims
3. Abstract
a. A summery of purpose, results and conclusion
b. Kept to a minimum number of sentences
c. Only describes the most important topics and results
4. Introduction
a. Introduces the subject matter
i. What it is
ii. Why it is important
iii. The history behind it (previous works, etc)
b. Introduces the research being presented and why it is relevant to the overall subject matter
i. Statement of purpose
ii. Explanation of how it relates to previously described information
iii. Brief description of methodology
iv. No results, discussion, or concluding information
5. Method/Experimental
a. A description of the research process present in a manner that is clear, unambiguous, and easy to follow
b. Depending on the manuscript format, may come before discussion, at the end of the paper, or in supplemental material
6. Results and Discussion
a. Presents data derived from the method without interpretation
i. Measurements
ii. Observations
iii. No explanations of the data (this is done in the discussion)
b. Uses tables, charts, and other methods of organizing to present raw data in an easily understood manner
7. Discussion
a. Describes the results and their meaning
b. Interprets within the result in the context of the subject material
i. Only utilizes the observed results and supporting information from cited sources
c. Presents a clear narrative and flow of ideas as it progresses
ii. Builds an argument based on the data culminating in a final assessment of the information
8. Conclusion
a. Summarizes the results of the report
b. Briefly states the implications of the findings
c. Presents opportunities for further advancements
i. A statement of where the research could be applied, improved, etc.
d. Should be clear, concise, and to the point without in-depth descriptions.
8. Supporting information
a. Information not included in the report proper that supports the findings
b. Limited to information that would be too cumbersome in the body of the report
i. Spectra, pictures, Western blots, and other graphical data
ii. Surveys, interviews, or other information derived directly from sources
iii. Large amounts of raw data better presented in the body of the report as figures
1. Scientific reports are both a description of the research process and a presentation of the information discovered
a. Process of research must be described, not just results
b. The information presented requires interpretation and explanation
c. Report formats require a title, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, conclusion, and supplementary information.
i. Each section except for title and abstract should be clearly labeled
2. Title
a. A concise and appropriate description of the experiment
b. Avoid overreaching claims
3. Abstract
a. A summery of purpose, results and conclusion
b. Kept to a minimum number of sentences
c. Only describes the most important topics and results
4. Introduction
a. Introduces the subject matter
i. What it is
ii. Why it is important
iii. The history behind it (previous works, etc)
b. Introduces the research being presented and why it is relevant to the overall subject matter
i. Statement of purpose
ii. Explanation of how it relates to previously described information
iii. Brief description of methodology
iv. No results, discussion, or concluding information
5. Method/Experimental
a. A description of the research process present in a manner that is clear, unambiguous, and easy to follow
b. Depending on the manuscript format, may come before discussion, at the end of the paper, or in supplemental material
6. Results and Discussion
a. Presents data derived from the method without interpretation
i. Measurements
ii. Observations
iii. No explanations of the data (this is done in the discussion)
b. Uses tables, charts, and other methods of organizing to present raw data in an easily understood manner
7. Discussion
a. Describes the results and their meaning
b. Interprets within the result in the context of the subject material
i. Only utilizes the observed results and supporting information from cited sources
c. Presents a clear narrative and flow of ideas as it progresses
ii. Builds an argument based on the data culminating in a final assessment of the information
8. Conclusion
a. Summarizes the results of the report
b. Briefly states the implications of the findings
c. Presents opportunities for further advancements
i. A statement of where the research could be applied, improved, etc.
d. Should be clear, concise, and to the point without in-depth descriptions.
8. Supporting information
a. Information not included in the report proper that supports the findings
b. Limited to information that would be too cumbersome in the body of the report
i. Spectra, pictures, Western blots, and other graphical data
ii. Surveys, interviews, or other information derived directly from sources
iii. Large amounts of raw data better presented in the body of the report as figures