We’re going to proceed by explicitly connecting each section of the lab report to the scientific method, then explaining why and how you need to elaborate that section.Īlthough this handout takes each section in the order in which it should be presented in the final report, you may for practical reasons decide to compose sections in another order. Thinking of your research report as based on the scientific method, but elaborated in the ways described above, may help you to meet your audience’s expectations successfully. (perhaps) expresses the data in table form, as an easy-to-read figure, or as percentages/ratiosĬonsiders whether the data you obtained support the hypothesisĮxplores the implications of your finding and judges the potential limitations of your experimental design Provides raw (i.e., uninterpreted) data collected SectionĮxplains how you derived that hypothesis and how it connects to previous research gives the purpose of the experiment/studyĬlarifies why you performed your study in that particular way Below, you’ll find a table that shows how each written section fits into the scientific method and what additional information it offers the reader. In essence, the format for a research report in the sciences mirrors the scientific method but fleshes out the process a little. The scientific method, you’ll probably recall, involves developing a hypothesis, testing it, and deciding whether your findings support the hypothesis. Overall, however, the IMRAD format was devised to represent a textual version of the scientific method. This format, sometimes called “IMRAD,” may take slightly different shapes depending on the discipline or audience some ask you to include an abstract or separate section for the hypothesis, or call the Discussion section “Conclusions,” or change the order of the sections (some professional and academic journals require the Methods section to appear last). Here is the basic format scientists have designed for research reports: Your job as a writer, then, is to fulfill these two goals.
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