Elements of Report Writing

1. Elements of Report Writing

2. Elements of Report Writing • Section E, Page 27 • In course website, lab handouts section will be an example manuscript • Group effort

3. Elements of Report Writing • Group effort but individual grading Lab groups of three: Identify each person as 1, 2, or 3 Example, Author 1: Introduction and Conclusion 2: Discussion 3: Data/Results and Experimental

4. Elements of Report Writing • Group effort but individual grading Lab groups of two: Identify each person as A or B Example, Author A: Introduction, Conclusion, Data/Results B: Discussion and Experimental

5. Elements of Report Writing • Group effort but individual grading Group meets to assemble lab report Group meets to prepare post-lab questions Each person submits handwritten Abstract Each week, report content responsibilities rotate. Note your responsibility for the week!

6. Abstract Introduction Experimental Calculations Data and Results Discussion Conclusions References Post-lab questions Components of the Report

7. Abstract A brief and concise statement of the problem, approach, results, and conclusion. • It’s a capsule description of the entire paper • One paragraph • For this class, handwritten

8. Abstract A brief and concise statement of the problem, approach, results, and conclusion. Example: Presented here is a comparison of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and electrochemical (EC) methods for the determination of copper ion in the Pepperdine University water reclamation ponds. Analysis by AAS showed an average concentration of 13 (±2, 1s) mg/L Cu while analysis of the same sample by EC gave 16.1 (±0.6, 1s) mg/L Cu. The relative accuracy of each method was not measured. While the AAS method was faster, it had worse precision than the EC method. Based on our determinations, for the most exacting analyses, we recommend the EC method for analysis of copper in a waste water pond or cistern.

9. Introduction A clear statement of the problem, goals, the general approach to solving the problem, a short review of how this or a similar problem has been solved in the past. • The problem and goals aren’t simply copied from the lab manual. Those are a checklist of items that the laboratory addresses • General approach is not an experimental section but, rather, a more general statement about how the problem was solved • The review places this problem into some historical framework

10. Experimental The actual procedure used to solve the problem • This is the actual procedure • Terse is the operative word here but detailed enough that another person with your level of expertise could repeat exactly what you did. • Must be in prose, not in outline or step form • Past tense, first-person plural (we…; not, I…) • Usually written in passive voice but doesn’t have to be • Standard laboratory apparatus need not be described in detail but specialized equipment should be.

11. Data and Results Presentation of the data and significant results obtained from the analysis of the data • Data tables with table number and caption to describe what the table is summarizing • Figures and graphs, each with a figure number and caption • Results of calculations with appropriate precision displayed • Must be clearly presented so that the reader can extract the relevant information quickly and accurately

12. Discussion A statement of the major conclusions drawn from the data and results • You claimed earlier that you were going to show something: Did you? What is your “proof”. • If the data suggest an alternate conclusion than that proposed, here’s where you say so. • Explain apparent deviations from hypothesis or theory • Contrast and correlate your results with others • Discuss sources of error and improvements to procedures • If “human error” is going to be your way out of a bad result then you should have fixed it while still in the lab.

13. Conclusion A brief summary of the results of the study • Concluding paragraph or two of how the experimental results confirm or refute the expected results • Alternative explanations • Refinements • Very briefly summarize the entire paper

14. Calculations • Not normally included in a professional manuscript except to show the theoretical underpinnings • Should include a complete sample of the calculations performed • Good place for theoretical considerations of the lab if not already included in the Introduction

15. References • Any quoted work or references (internet or print) used must be cited in American Chemical Society format • Any discussion with colleagues or other professionals must be cited • If it isn’t yours, cite it!

16. Post-Lab Questions • Some investigations have supplemental post-lab questions • Put the answers to post-lab questions in their own section at the back of the manuscript

17. Other Important Things Every table, figure, drawing, and reference must be referred to in the text! • Tables must be numbered and captioned: • e.g., Table 1. Densities of Coke and Diet Coke determined with three different volumetric devices. • Figures must be numbered and captioned • Drawings and pictures must be numbered and captioned • References must be numbered