ScientificReportWriting.ppt

Effective Scientific Report Writing Andrew Burgie, M.S. Course Overview Scientific Report Section Overview Typical IH Report Sections Purpose Systematic Approach to Writing Scientific Report Sections Scientific Report Writing Other Important Issues and Topics Conclusion/Questions/Discussion Bibliography Scientific Report Writing Overview Aim The main purpose of a scientific report is to communicate A report should convey essential information and ideas as concisely and effectively as possible Precise formats vary by discipline and scientific journal; treat them as flexible guidelines that enable clear communication Scientific Report Writing Overview Audience Assume that your intended reader has a background similar to yours before you started the project The reader has general understanding of the topic but no specific knowledge of the details The reader should be able to reproduce whatever you did by following your report Scientific Report Section Overview Executive Summary – “Aim” “Audience” Introduction Purpose Scope of Work Sampling Methods Results Observations Conclusions Recommendations Appendices Typical IH Report Sections Executive Summary (1-2 paragraphs maximum) Introduction (site background) Purpose (why was survey done) Scope of Work (what was/was not surveyed) Sampling Methods (what used and how) Results (what were the findings) Observations (useful info outside of results; i.e. climate) Conclusions/Discussion (what did you deduce) Recommendations [solution(s) to survey issue(s)] Appendices (supporting maps, graphs, tables, etc.) Systematic Approach to Writing Scientific Report Sections Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Appendices (Tables and Figures) ? 2002 The University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center Scientific Report Sections Title Describe contents clearly and precisely Provide key works for indexing Avoid wasted words (i.e., “an investigation of”) Avoid abbreviations and jargon Convey subject seriousness; no “cute”