How to write an Introduction
An introduction contains the following: 1. Background information on the topic
investigated. 2. Citation and
reference to other studies that have tested or provide evidence supporting your
hypothesis for the experiment. 3. The proposed hypothesis. and 4. A short
description of the methods testing the hypothesis. Citations are included in the introduction but must be in the
format described on page 106 of the lab manual (within the body of the text
include the author(s) last name and year of the citation…do not use page
numbers or quotations from sources).
Please refer to pages 103-106 for the format regulations of writing a
scientific report based upon your “seed experiment”.
The
introduction should be two to three paragraphs. The first paragraph includes 1. the background information and 2.
reference to other scientific studies. Including background information and
reference to other studies requires the use of citations. Scientific papers do not contain quotations. A quotation is defined as copying the exact
wording from a citation placing quotations around the exact wording and
referencing the source. Although
quotations are used in term papers they are not used in scientific
reports. You must include background
information in your own words and at the end of the sentence include the
citation that supports the information.
Please do not use citation formats common to other disciplines.
The lab report on seeds
is required to use at least two literature-cited references in the introduction
section and two literature cited references in the discussion. The two citations in the introduction can be
from textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, and appropriate published science books. Books and journals that are not appropriate
are Encyclopedias, childrens’ books, popular news journals, or popular
magazines. Popular magazines are those
that are not peer-reviewed; for example; Discover and Science News. These magazines are written by journalists
and summarize already published scientific work. Of the two citations in
the discussion section one must be from a peer-reviewed scientific journal; see
the instructions on the literature cited section.
Below is an example of the
format to cite a literature source; you must use this format, which is
described on page 106 of the lab manual.
This sentence states the
fact that salt will have a negative effect on seeds. Since this is a fact that must be
supported by scientific evidence the end of the sentence cites a paper that
tested the effects of salt on seed germination.
For example:
The
concentration of salt a seed is exposed to can have an adverse effect on its
germination rate (Ungar 1996). A seed
consists of an embryo and its stored food supply frequently in the embryo
itself, surrounded by protective seed coverings. When a seed separates from the plant, it is in a dehydrated state
(Duffus and Slaughter 1980).
Literature Cited
(The font size 10pt was used to save space, please use 12point for all lab report submissions)
Duffus, C. and Slaughter,
C. 1980. Seeds and their uses.
Chichester, W. Sussex: John Wiley and Sons. 210pp.
Ungar, I. A., 1996.
Effect of salinity on seed germination, growth, and ion accumulation of Atriplex
patula (Chenopodiaceae). American
Journal of Botany 83: 604-607
For the each section answer
the following questions. Then use the
answers to write a scientific report introduction.
1. What information would a reader need to know about seed
germination and/or growth to understand your hypothesis?
How do you expect the
treatment to affect the germination and/or growth of the seed?
An optional portion of the
introduction:
Are there any research
experiments that have attempted similar experiments or support your hypothesis?
Briefly describe other research findings.
2. State a formal hypothesis:
3. How did you test the proposed hypothesis (this should be a short
statement describing the experiment to test the hypothesis; do not give
detailed methods in the introduction.
You should simply state the seeds were treated with increasing
concentrations and also state how the results were measured)?
Given the proposed
experiment, what results do you expect in support of your hypothesis? What results would not support your
hypothesis?
Literature Search and Citations
The Introduction and Discussion will require supporting citations. Two of you citations must be from a peer reviewed journal. Peer reviewed journals can be found by using the online database provided by The Walter W. Stiern Library page.
Step 1. Use the internet to log onto the csub web page at: http//www.csub.edu
Step 2. select the link to the Walter W. Stiern Library.
Step 3. select the Subject Guides (at the bottom of the second column)
Step 4. select Biology
Step 5 select Electronic Databases (last column)
Step
6 select EBSCO host (there are
other databases but this is a good one to start with)
Step 7 selecting EBSCO host will bring up the title of the database….click on the
title to
access the database. (if you log on from an off
campus connection you will have to enter
your runner-card number with an extra zero at the end of your number).
Step 8 The EBSCO host search page has three Key word fields. Use the fields to narrow your search for available journal articles.
Type key words into the separate search fields
