scientific reports

Question 1

what are the 5 sections to a scientific report?

Answer 1

• abstract
• introduction
• method
• results
• discussion
• referencing

Question 2

What is the abstract section?

Answer 2

A short summary that includes all major elements → useful or other researchers to get feel about the concept

• Often 200-300 words
• Aims
• Hypotheses
• method/procedure
• Results
• Conclusions

Question 3

what is the introduction section of a scientific report?

Answer 3

• A literature review of the general area of studying - detailing the : theories, concept,studies
• Beginning broadly becoming more specific until the aims and hypotheses are presented
• Should highlight the gaps in the field and therefore the need or this current research

Question 4

what is the method part of a scientific report?

Answer 4

• Design - independent groups etc - justify reasons
• Sample - detailed ino about characteristics of groups
• Materials - detail of (context, timings , apparatus)
• Procedure - record of everything said to ppt / what happens with them
• Ethics

Question 5

what is included in the results part of a scientific report?

Answer 5

• descriptive statistics(graphs/charts/tables,
  measures of central tendency(averages)
  Measures of dispersion → range, standard deviation
  Inferential statistics - choice of stat test, calc/ critical values, level of significance
• Raw data / any theme of categories from qualitative methods

Question 6

what are descriptive stats?

Answer 6

• measures of central tendency(averages)
• Measures of dispersion → range, standard deviation

Question 7

what is an inferential stat?

Answer 7

choice of stat test, calc/ critical values, level of significance

Question 8

what is included in the discussion aspect of the scientific reports?

Answer 8

Summarise the results / findings in verbal form - in form of a conclusion

• Researcher will discuss strengths and limitations of present investigation and discuss these → and perhaps suggest how a future study could improve these factors
• May include reference to aspects of the method of the sample
• Wider implications considered - RWA

Question 9

what is the referencing portion of the scientific report?

Answer 9

Full details of ay source material that the researcher drew upon or cited in the report.
Referencing - includes journal articles,books,websites

**Often used to avoid plagiarism and to give credit to the original owners / authors