An important aspect of science is the reporting of experimental results so that the information can be analyzed by fellow scientists and incorporated into the vast database of scientific knowledge. The compiling of a scientific report will require the use of several scientific skills, while demonstrating the scientific process.
How to write an Introduction
An introduction to a scientific report serves to introduce a
reader to the experimental topic and present evidence that lead to the
experiment that is the subject of the lab report. Do not include
irrelevant information simply to increase the length of the report. The
introduction should be two to three paragraphs. Include information that
will aid the reader in understanding the hypothesis tested by the experiment.
An introduction contains: 1. Background information on the topic
investigated. 2. The proposed hypothesis. and 3.
A short description of the methods testing the hypothesis(this means that any
methods should be described by summary sentences not detailed descriptions of
the experimental methods; if you use more than three sentences to describe the
methodology in the introduction you are probably using too detail of a method
description). 4. Citations are included in the introduction
but must be in the format described on page 20 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 do not use
formats common to other disciplines. Do not use quotations
within the body of the report text (Quotations are not used in scientific
reports. You should state the information in your own words and include
the citation that contained the information at the end of the sentence). You are required to
incorporate at least two literature cited references into the introduction
section.
The two citations in
the introduction can be from textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, and appropriate
published science books. Sources 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 Popular magazines are those that are not peer-reviewed; for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 introduction section one must be from a peer-reviewed
scientific journal; Below is an
example of the format to cite a literature source; you must use this format,
which is described on page 20 of the lab manual and rules for special cases are
covered under the handout icon for the literature cited section.
For example:
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.
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).
The full citation is then represented in the literature cited
section at the end of the report
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.
Ungar,
The following questions
should be used as a guide. Then use the answers to write a scientific
report introduction.
1. What information
would a reader need to know about Planaria to understand why the experiment was
attempted?
How might the treatment
affect the habitat choice of a Planarian?
Are there any research
experiments that support your prediction of experimental results [are there any
research experiments on other similar species with similar results predicted by
your hypothesis?].
Briefly describe other
research findings.
2. State a formal
hypothesis:
3. How did you test the
proposed hypothesis [include this as a summary of the experiment, do not
include a detailed account of the experiment]?
4.Include finally
predictions of results do you expect in support of your hypothesis
and predict what results
would not support your hypothesis?