Guidance+for+writing+scientific+reports+including+LAB+REPORTS

Here's the link to the WHS Guidance for Writing a Formal Scientific Paper - and in the context of what we're doing now in class, LAB reports:

WHS LAB REPORTS

The guidance in the link above is directed at lab reports and is more comprehensive/includes more detailed sections than what we discussed in class earlier in the year (e.g., how to approach your Aliens report).

We initially discussed breaking a research report down into 4 main sections:
 * 1) Introduction/Purpose
 * 2) (Results)/Discussion
 * 3) Conclusion
 * 4) Bibliography

The //**Introduction**// tells the reader the purpose or objective(s) of the paper. Introductions can range from a paragraph to a few paragraphs long - for the purposes of your 3- to 4-page Aliens paper, a paragraph or two is good, as long as you're able to clearly and concisely set the scene for the meat of your report. For your Aliens paper, for example, you'll write an introduction that presents the objective of the report (i.e., to explain and defend why you think - or do not think - life exists elsewhere in the universe). You should indicate that there are two schools of belief (as you've discovered through your research), and indicate which belief you support. You then can present three reasons why you've chosen this approach (this can be thought of as your //Results// section if you were writing up a lab report) - you'll elaborate on these three points in your **//Discussion//**. What did you find? Why is what you found relevant, and how does it support your stance? Note that choosing three points is a general approach to help you structure your report - depending on the assignment, sometimes you'll have more (or fewer) points to discuss. Your //**Conclusion**// should summarize your three main points to wrap up your Discussion and tie your paper together. Referring to the main points presented in the Introduction to craft your Conclusion is a straightforward approach. Lastly, provide a **//Bibliography//** which includes all of the materials you used to write the paper (your text, articles, any internet sites, other texts/articles/etc.) - this should be presented in //alphabetical// order BY AUTHOR.

I suggest that you look at how the articles you're gathering are laid out - for the most part you'll see a similar structure shared (Intro., Discussion, Conclusion, and Bibliography).

Don't forget to include a TITLE page (including the report title, your name/class/teacher - //correctly spelled//, please - and due date). Keep it professional!

Here's the guidance on writing lab reports that I handed out to you at the beginning of the term: If this is not in your Earth Science binder, print out another copy and put it where you can reference it easily.

I also suggest taking a look at these other two websites, both which offer standard guidance for writing reports in general and, more specifically, writing lab reports:

Writing the Scientific Paper

Scientific Reports

In addition - here are examples of how to cite (1) a print (text) resource; (2) an online resource; and (3) and article. Visit MLA Citation Style (Cornell University) for more info.


 * (1) Text/book citation: **

Last name, First name.//Title of Book//. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

Example:

Tarbuck, E. J., F. K. Lutgens, and D. Tasa. //Prentice Hall Earth Science//. Needham, Massachusetts: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.


 * (2) Online citation: **

Cornell University Library. "MLA Citation Style." //Cornell University Library//. Cornell University, 2014. Web. 16 March 2014. < http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/mla#list>


 * (3) Journal Article citation: **

Johnson, John. “Warm Planets Orbiting Cool Stars". //Physics Today// 67.3 (2014): 31-6. Print.


 * Additionally, you can cite print lab material (as needed only), class handouts, etc. using the following format: **

(Lab/presentation) //Title//. WHS Science and Technology Department, 2014.