Guidelines for preparing a research report Organization of the Research Report Most scientific research reports, irrespective of the field, parallel the method of scientific reasoning. That is: the problem is defined, a hypothesis is created, experiments are devised to test the hypothesis, experiments are conducted, and conclusions are drawn. This framework is consistent with the following organization of a research report: Title Abstract Introduction Experimental Details or Theoretical Analysis Results Discussion Conclusions and Summary References Title and Title Page The title should reflect the content and emphasis of the project described in the report. It should be as short as possible and include essential key words. The authors name (e.g., Mary B. Chung) should follow the title on a separate line, followed by the authors affiliation (e.g., Department of Chemistry, Central State College, Central, Arkansas, 67123), the date, and possibly the origin of the report (e.g., In partial fulfillment of a Senior Thesis Project under the supervision of Professor Danielle F. Green, June, 1997). All of the above could appear on a single cover page. Abstract The abstract should, in the briefest terms possible, describe the topic, the scope, the principal findings, and the conclusions. It should be written last to reflect accurately the content of the report. Briefly State the problem or the purpose of the research, indicate the theoretical or experimental plan used, summarize the principle finds and point out major conclusions. The length of abstracts vary, but seldom exceed 200 words. A primary objective of an abstract is to communicate to the reader the essence of the paper. The reader will then be the judge of whether to read the full report or not. Were the report to appear in the primary literature, the abstract would serve as a key source of indexing terms and key words to be used in information retrieval. Introduction "A good introduction is a clear statement of the problem or project and why you are studying it." (The ACS Style Guide. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1986.) The nature of the problem and why it is of interest should be conveyed in the opening paragraphs. This section should describe clearly but briefly the background information on the problem, what has been done before (with proper literature citations), and the objectives of the current project.    Why is this experiment important? Include the key question am I trying to answer? Include the key concepts? Experimental Details or Theoretical Analysis This section should describe what was actually done. It is a succinct exposition of the laboratory notebook, describing procedures, techniques, instrumentation, special precautions, and so on. It should be sufficiently detailed that other experienced researchers would be able to repeat the work and obtain comparable results.   What is my technique/method? The apparatus should be included in this section. ChemSketch. See Figure 1 for an example. The apparatus should be drawn using condensor thermometer addition funnel Figure 1: Alkylation Reaction Setup Data/Results In this section, relevant data, observations, and findings are summarized. Tabulation of data, equations, charts, and figures can be used effectively to present results clearly and concisely. Schemes to show reaction sequences may be used here or elsewhere in the report.  What are my most important data/results? (You may have tables, pictures, diagrams, charts, structures, equations, etc.) What is the most effective format for presentation? See Table 1. Table 1: Temperature Studies Time (s) Temp (o C) 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 65 68 70 72 79 89 90 99 Discussion The crux of the report is the analysis and interpretation of the results. What do the results mean? How do they relate to the objectives of the project? To what extent have they resolved the problem? 1. Review data/results a. Compare with literature value, if applicable (are they similar or very different) b. Compare results with different trials, if applicable (are they similar or very different) c. Compare your results with other group results, if applicable (are they similar or very different) d. Look for oddities like violations of conservation of mass (over or under 100% recovery) 2. Go back to detailed experimental and look for places where error could have occurred. 3. Explain 4. Refer to questions asked in the project. Conclusions and Summary A separate section outlining the main conclusions of the project is appropriate if conclusions have not already been stated in the "Discussion" section. Directions for future work are also suitably expressed here. A lengthy report, or one in which the findings are complex, usually benefits from a paragraph summarizing the main features of the report - the objectives, the findings, and the conclusions.  Did I answer the key question? o If yes, what did I conclude? (Reflect on the article you chose for the Logic of an Article assignment. Are their conclusions/inferences different from yours? How?) o If no, what did I conclude? And what other approach/study/experiment should I try? References Literature references should be collated at the end of the report and cited in one of the formats described in The ACS Style Guide or standard journals. Do not mix formats. All references should be checked against the original literature. Preparing the Report Students should use graphics software which allows numerical data to be graphed, chemical structures to be drawn, and mathematical equations to be represented. These are essential tools of the technical writer. All reports should routinely be checked for spelling (spell check programs are helpful), and all manuscripts should be carefully proofread before being submitted. Group Experimental Design 1. The first experiment to determine the density of the object is by first determining the objects volume through water displacement. We will fill the Erlenmeyer flask up with water and then drop the item in and measure the difference. We will then determine the mass of the object by using the balance. 2. The second experiment to determine the density of the object involves using the ruler to determine the length, width and height. By multiplying the length x width x height we are able to get the volume. We will then determine the mass of the object by using the balance. Experiment Procedures #1: 1. Add water to beaker 2. Record initials water level 3. Add unknown object into beaker 4. Record new water level 5. Calculate difference in volume 6. Place object on balance 7. Add weight until balance is even 8. Record mass of object 9. Calculate density; density = mass/volume Experiment Procedures #2: 1. Use ruler to record length 2. Use ruler to record width 3. Use ruler to record height 4. Calculate length x width x height to determine volume 5. Place object on balance 6. Add weight until balance is even 7. Record mass of object 8. Calculate density ; density = mass/volume the ship? width : 3.5cm Length: 3.5cm height: 12 im Volume: un 147 cm3 Vols Low density Volume density weigh length triali 3.37 3.5em Low density trial 28.059 tem Heavad densitys olid 2069 4.5cm Wigth height 3.5em 12.2 cm 3.5cm 24.5cm 2cm. 9cm 147mL 0.02 600.25ml 81ml 4 27.04g Glinder liquit 30.73-27.04 = 3.699 3.699 = 0.88 gimb 4.2mL 5:41 PM Wed Feb 12 94% Laboratory Report Template CHEM 110L Laboratory Report Template 1. Abstract: This is a brief summary (200 words or less) of your experiment. Remember this should be written AFTER you complete the other parts.: What is the scope of the work? (Hints: What did you do? What techniques did you use? What are the outcomes? What comparisons did you make?) 2. Introduction The purpose of the introduction is to give background information for a general audience so that they understand the experimental work that will be described. You can use your Pre-lab, TopHat, textbook, lecture notes or any other source. Please cite all references accordingly (EXPERIMENT SPECIFIC) What is the objective of the experiment and why is the experiment important? Define the key question you are trying to answer? Describe the key concepts that need to be understood in order to answer the key question. 3. Instrumentation: List materials and instrumentation used. Remember to use ChemSketch. Copy your ChemSketch figures here. 4. Experimental: For this section make sure that all experimental details are described. Include all procedures performed in the experiment and techniques used. Make sure that it is written in paragraph form, in the third person and in past tense. (Example: The beaker was weighed using a balance.) Use enough detail so that the procedure can be replicated. 5. Results: Previous Next Dashboard Calendar To Do D Notifications MInbox 5:41 PM Wed Feb 12 94% Laboratory Report Template 5. Results: Data Include all graphs, tables and all sample calculations. (Experiment Specific) Table 1: (Insert title) 6. Discussion: Answer the following in paragraph form: How does your data relate to answering the key question? What do the results mean? How do they relate to the objectives of the project? To what extent have they resolved the problem? 1. Review data/results 2. Compare with literature value, if applicable (are they similar or very different) Compare results with different trials, if applicable (are they similar or very different) -Compare your results with other group results, if applicable (are they similar or very different) -Look for oddities like violations of conservation of mass (over or under 100% recovery) Go back to detailed experimental and look for places where error could have occurred. 3. Explain 4. Refer to questions asked in the project. Specifically: 7. Conclusion Previous Next Dashboard Calendar To Do D Notifications MInbox 7. Conclusion Enter one paragraph with 5-6 sentences. Did I answer the key question? If yes, what did I conclude? If no, what did I conclude? And what other approach/study/experiment should I try?
Purchase answer to see full attachment