Writing a Scientific Report to Present Data

Access comprehensive support for academic assignments on epic-essay.com, where our expert writers help clients navigate and conquer their academic challenges with consented, tailor-made solutions.

Writing a Scientific Report to Present Data
 
Include a descriptive Title!
 
*BE SURE TO INCLUDE SECTION HEADINGS and sub-headings where noted.
 
I.  Introduction
A.  Give an overview/context for the topic that was explored 
Example: The frequency and intensity of disturbance impacts the biodiversity of an area (explain why).  This pattern may even be evident in urban landscapes with different management regimes…. 
B.  Get more specific about the area where you collected data and the specific questions you asked 
C.  BREIFLY state what you measured to address the questions
D. Set up and present your hypotheses.
 
II.  Methods
A.  Use subheading: Field Site: Describe the field sites where you collected data—what city or county, near what landmarks or roads, date, weather conditions.  If you have more than one field site, describe each one separately.
B.  Use subheading: Field Methods: Describe the field methods you used to collect the raw data
C.  Use subheading: Data Analysis: Explain how you further manipulated the data to answer your questions (e.g., how you calculated Simpson’s Diversity Index—be sure to include the equation) and any statistical tests you used (e.g., t-tests with what p-value as the acceptable level of significance?)
 
III.  Results
A.  Present summaries of the data in tables or graphs (do not duplicate data in tables AND graphs).
B.  Describe WITH WORDS the trends that you presented in tables or graphs.  
 
IV.  Discussion
A.  Summarize the results and interpret the significance of your results
B.  Revisit your hypothesis in light of your results. Do your results support your hypothesis? Why or why not? What else might be going on here? THIS section is the bulk of your Discussion, and should also incorporate citations of relevant sources from the scientific literature.
C.  If appropriate, describe any weaknesses of your study and what could be done in the future to improve the study. (Keep this section to a minimum.)
D.  Did any new questions arise from this field study that you would explore further if given the time and opportunity?
 
V.  List of References Cited
A. List references in alphabetical order using the following format:
Samuel, Ali. 2020. “How to write a scientific report,” Harvard Guidelines for Disciplinary Writing 25: 200-202.
(This is a fictious “article title” from a journal with volume and page numbers.  Do not use it.)
 
**Extra tips:
* It is inappropriate in scientific writing to make irrelevant statements of opinion.  For example, “I thought the forest was really pretty.” Or, “I wish we didn’t have to collect data in the heat.”  
* Be sure to cite sources of information you are referencing in your Introduction and Discussion. Do this with parenthetical citations within the text that give author and year (Samuel 2020). 
*It is very important that each student write his or her own report independently.  Although all students will have access to the same data, each student will present and interpret the data in their own way.
 
GRADING RUBRIC FOR LABORATORY REPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND STUDIES 
                                                                                                Total Points: _______/100
<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 160; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid black;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
 
TITLE
Concisely describes the lab exercise
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
POINTS RECEIVED /POINTS POSSIBLE
____ /3
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
INTRODUCTION
Provides a concise, but complete sentence, description of the experiment or exercise and its importance. Information presented is correct and the scientific and environmental problems are clearly stated.
States a hypothesis that brings in knowledge and context from class lectures and lab discussion 
Links to at least one outside reference source and the source is cited correctly
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
 
 
____ /6
 
____ /3
____ /5
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
METHODS
Contains a written description of how experiment or exercise was conducted and how data were analyzed in appropriate detail so that experiment can be repeated by another scientist
Written in paragraph form
Written in past tense
 
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
 
____ /6
 
 
____ /3
____ /3
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
RESULTS
Includes written, past tense, summary of data of sufficient detail without repeating information in tables and figures; summarizes key findings without interpreting the findings (save that for discussion)
Contains appropriate tables and figures
Tables and figures are explicitly referred to in text (Table 1, Figure 1, etc.)
Figures and tables are clearly labeled (Table 1, Figure 1, etc.) and properly configured
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
 
 
____ /6
____ /6
____ /3
____ /3
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
DISCUSSION
Explains and interprets the results, including a statement as to whether the original hypothesis was supported 
Conclusions are logical and follow from the data presented
Compares results and conclusions to other relevant research from at least one citable source; if appropriate, include speculation as to why results are different than expected; may suggest an idea for additional studies or experiments that might resolve remaining questions
Links to at least one outside reference source (not the same one as in the    
    introduction) and the source is cited correctly 
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
 
 
____ /6
____ /6
 
 
 
____ /3
____ /5
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
REFERENCES
References utilized were appropriate given the context of the study and 
   citations were from approved sources (e.g. avoid stand-alone web pages    
   and your textbook)
In alphabetical order, in Name-Year Format
Lists only research materials utilized (cited) in finished product
   and all sources cited in finished product are included
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
 
____ /3
 
____ /3
____ /3
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="width: 320.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="427">
OVERALL
Appropriate sections included, all of appropriate length and detail. Included information is in the appropriate section.
Formatted correctly (margins, spacing, indentation etc.)
Free of grammatical and spelling errors
Sophistication (depth of content, clarity of exposition)
</td>
<td style="width: 122.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="163">
 
 
____ /6
____ /3
 ____ /10
____ /5
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> 
 
FORMAT FOR LABORATORY REPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND STUDIES 
ADAPTED AND REVISED, AUGUST 2016
Basic Formatting: 
 
<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 160; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid black;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Margins:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
1” all sides
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; height: 30.55pt;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 30.55pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Font size:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; height: 30.55pt;" valign="top" width="295">
12 pt
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Pagination:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Arabic numeral, consistent placement throughout
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Spacing within paragraphs:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Single space within paragraphs
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
New paragraph:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Double space  after ending each paragraph
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Section Headings:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Align headings for Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Literature Cited on left margin. Double space after each section heading. Use consistent font & formatting for section headings. Do not start each section on a new page unless it works out that way coincidentally. Avoid sub-heading titles and format consistently throughout.
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Tables and Figures:
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Number consecutively and incorporate within the paper body. 
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
References
 
</td>
<td style="width: 221.4pt; border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="295">
Name-Year System (described in detail below): List references in alphabetical order by the first author’s last name. Use a hanging indent (all lines but the first indented) to separate individual references. 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> 
 
What to Include In a Reference List:
 
Never include in a reference list a document you have not seen. When it is not possible to see an original document, cite the source of your information, do not cite the original assuming that the secondary source is correct. When a reference is available in both print and electronically, always cite the specific version seen. Electronic and print versions can differ significantly.
 
The most common ‘citable’ reference items include:
 
Articles from peer-reviewed journals
Books 
Book chapters (not encyclopedias)
Technical reports
 
Note: A standalone web page that is not published as a peer review article, book, book chapter, or technical report does not count as a reference. You may utilize websites as a starting point for finding other literature, but you must find and use original “citable” literature for the references in your final lab reports. 
 
There are a variety of reference citation formats used by different disciplines and even different journal publications within the same disciplines. Although style varies from one journal to the next, most scientific publications use variations of the Name-Year format. All reports submitted for the Introduction to Environmental Studies and Science course should use the Name-Year format utilized by the Ecological Society of America and as outlined below.
 
Name-Year System for Citing References
 
Journal Article with Single Author
 
In-text reference: 
 
Student input into experimental design has been shown to greatly increase student understanding within the field of climatology (Abbott 2007). 
 
In the References section, this source would be cited as:
 
Abbott, J . A. 2007. Measuring thermal variation in a valley environment using a team, filed project designed by students. Journal of Geography 105:121-128. 
 
The general format for citing a journal article with a single author is: 
 
Last name, First initial. Second initial. Date. Title. Journal title volume number:pages.
 
 
Journal Article with Two Authors
 
 
 
In-text reference:
 
Production of corn biofuels in Florida shows much higher water consumption footprint and nitrogen loading burden than biofuels produced from sweet sorghum (Evans and Cohen 2009).  
 
In the References section, this source would be cited as:
 
Evans, J. M. and M. J. Cohen. 2009. Regional water resource implications of bioethanol production in the Southeastern United States. Global Change Biology 15: 2261-2273.
 
The general format for citing a journal article with two authors is: 
 
Last name, First initial. Second initial. and First initial. Second initial. Last name. 
Date. Title. Journal title volume number:pages.
 
Journal Article with More Than Two Authors*
 
In-text reference:
 
Highly localized nutrient and pulsed rainfall inputs exert complex controls on the food chains and biodiversity patterns of shorebird islands (Samuel et al. 2008). 
 
*Note the use of “et al.” for the in-text citation where there are more than two authors
 
In the References section, this source would be cited as:
 
Samuel, W. B., D. A. Wait, and P. Stapp. 2008. Resources from another place and time: Responses to pulses in a spatially subsidized system. Ecology 89:660-670.
 
The general format for citing a journal article with more than two authors is: 
 
Last name, First initial. Second initial., First initial. Second initial. Last name, and First initial. Second initial. Last name. Date. Title. Journal title volume number:pages.
 
Books 
In text-reference:
Coarse particulate organic matter is an important food source for shredders (Hauer and Lamberti 1996).
 
In the References section, this source would be cited as:
Hauer, F. R. and G. A.  Lamberti. 1996. Methods in Stream Ecology, First Edition. Academic Press, San Diego, California, USA. 
The general format for citing a book with more than two authors is:
Last name, First initial. Second initial., First initial. Last name, and First initial. Second initial. Last name. Date. Book title. Publisher, City of publication, State of publication, Country of publication.
Books on the Internet
If a book is located from an internet source, include the web link at the end of the citation:  
Hauer, F. R. and G. A. Lamberti. 2007. Methods in Stream Ecology, Second Edition. Academic Press, San Diego, California, USA. Available from: <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780123329080">http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780123329080</a>.  
Book Chapters
In text-reference:
Nutrients play a controlling role in the physiology of herbaceous plants and the competitive interactions between herb species in the forest environment (Samuel 2003). 
In the References section, this source would be cited as:
Samuel, W. B. 2003. Biotic and abiotic influences on the herbaceous layer: Nutrients. Pages 91-104 in F. S. Gilliam and M. R. Robert, editors. Ecology of the Herbaceous Layer of Forests of Easter North America. Oxford University Press, New York, New York, USA.    
Please note that the “in” before the editor names is italicized.  
The general format for citing a book chapter is:
Last name, First initial. Second initial., First initial. Second initial. Last name, and First initial. Second initial. Date. Chapter title. Pages in First initial. Second initial. Last name and First initial. Second initial. Last name, editors. Book title. Publisher name, City of publication, State of publication, Country of publication.
Technical Reports
A technical report is “a separately issued record of research results, research in progress, or other technical studies”. Most technical reports are issued by governmental agencies, but may also originate from universities or other types of research institutions. Advocacy organizations also sometimes issue technical reports, but technical reports from such advocacy groups should only be used with great caution.   
 
In text-reference:
Use of tidal backflow preventers on stormwater outfall pipes was shown to be a cost-effective action for reducing flood risks due to sea-level rise in Tybee Island, GA, over the next thirty years (Evans et al. 2016).  
In the References section, this source would be cited as:
Evans, J. M., J. Gambill, R .J. McDowell, P. W. Prichard, and C. S. Hopkinson. 2016. Tybee Island Sea-Level Rise Adaptation Plan. Project NA100AR4170098. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Georgia Sea Grant, Athens, Georgia, USA. Available from: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289999590_Tybee_Island_Sea-Level_Rise_Adaptation_Plan">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289999590_Tybee_Island_Sea-Level_Rise_Adaptation_Plan</a>.  
The general format for citing a technical report is:
Last name, First initial. Second initial., First initial. Second initial. Last name, and First initial. Last name. Document title. Report number. Government agency, Agency division, City of publication, State of publication, Country of publication. 
 
Websites
As noted previously, standalone websites do not count as a “citable source” for your lab reports and, therefore, should not be included in your References section. However, you can provide an in-text reference to a website from a credible source that you use for specific information not readily found elsewhere. This in-text reference should include a link to the original webpage that has the information you are referencing and the date you accessed the page. 
In text-reference:
The latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant profile map for Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) shows this species as native to Florida (<a href="http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PIST2">http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PIST2</a>; accessed August 28, 2016).   
 
If you find a reference that poses difficulty for you to fit into the citation format below, please bring that reference to your lab instructor for assistance.

Place an order like this

Writing a Scientific Report to Present Data

Access comprehensive support for academic assignments on epic-essay.com, where our expert writers help clients navigate and conquer their academic challenges with consented, tailor-made solutions.

Stay Connected with Epic Essay on Social Media

Get Assignment Tips and Updates on Twitter