How to Report Scientific Research Results
Scientific research is usually conducted with the use of the scientific method, in which a problem is studied with the underlying scientific mechanisms analyzed. A hypothesis is generally stated, which explains how the mechanism works. The scientific research is then conducted that will help to either prove or disprove the hypothesis. In many cases, evidence is collected that will build on other evidence cited in separate studies. When enough evidence is found in support of a hypothesis, the hypothesis becomes a theory for which additional evidence can continue to be found. Because scientific data builds on each other, it is important to accurately report the results of scientific research.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Begin your report by writing a title page. The title of the report should reflect the main thrust of the scientific research.
-
2
Write the abstract. Include a section title for the abstract section and the ensuing sections as you proceed to each section. The abstract can be thought of as a short summary of each of the sections in the report.
-
-
3
Continue the report with an introduction section. The introduction should include the problem or other unknown quantity that the research deals with. It should also outline the research to be performed that would produce data to either support a hypothesis or to disprove the hypothesis.
-
4
Follow the introduction with a section on methods used in the research. This should be a detailed section that explains how the research is to be conducted, what kind of data the research will produce, evidence that supports the validity of the data and how the data can be interpreted.
-
5
Report the results of the research in a results section. This section may include tables and graphs in order to visually present the data in ways that make it easier to interpret.
-
6
Include a discussion section. This section goes into greater depth about what the data means. It should highlight the importance of the data in the broader picture about the subject of the research. It can also suggest future studies to help illuminate certain aspects of the data.
-
7
Follow the discussion section with a conclusion. This section summarizes the conclusions that can be drawn from the data that was collected.
-
8
End the report with an acknowledgments section and a references section. Acknowledge people and institutions that assisted with the report and data collection, and document the references that were used in reporting any previous data or text regarding the scientific study.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Write your abstract last, after you've finished your other sections. This can help to boil down the research and results into a few short sentences for the abstract.
Have someone review a draft of your scientific report in order to check for errors in spelling or grammar.
A report title that is sensational or reads like the headline of a newspaper may take away from the seriousness of the scientific study.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit chemical test tubes image by Oleg Verbitsky from Fotolia.com
