What do we need to include?
Background information, a rationale for carrying out the work, a description of what was done, including the equipment used, results, discussion and references.
writing style :Need to write in passive voice.
A sample was taken…. Not, we took a sample
Title:
Succinct. What was being investigated?
Eg Eating habits of the elephant over the course of a year.
Introduction:
Include relevant background information for your investigation. All relevant information should be clearly referenced ie where did this information come from? Explain the rationale for the study- the background information and why the study will be helpful and informative
References: Textbooks and journal articles. NOT Wikipedia or Google.
Aim: To note changes in %fat and %carbohydrate use as exercise intensity increases
To calculate estimations for energy usage per minute and kilogram of participant
Materials and Methods:
Brief descriptions of what was done, including suppliers of key equipment. Past tense (passive voice)
NEVER ANY LISTS!!
Eg. Blood pressure was recorded and analysed with the Power lab and Labstation software (ADI Systems)
You don’t need to go into detail about attaching the blood pressure cuff to the arm, inflating the cuff etc, as this is standard procedure. Record differences though- did you use the thigh instead of the arm?
Results: Descriptions of your data.
There should be at least a short paragraph describing the results. You can go into more detailed descriptions here. Eg Over time, BP increases in males, however the increase is more marked between the ages of 35 and 45.
Don’t make any conclusions. Refer to figures and tables.
Figures: include a number and a title.
Each figure should have a brief description of the results.
Eg Fig 1. Blood pressure and age.
This graph shows that Blood pressure in adult males increased with age.
Include only one version of a set of results. If you have made a graph from your table, do NOT include the table. If you feel the table is required for extra information, it can be included as an appendix at the end of your report.
DISCUSSION: this is usually the longest section and should include a thorough discussion of your results in relation to your hypotheses and previous work.
Begin by stating whether your hypotheses are supported or refuted
Compare your results to previous work and explain why they are similar or different
Explain any limitations to your investigation and the effects that they may have had on the results – you should assume that the method was carried out as you described, and avoid generic criticisms such as ‘some people didn’t know how to use the glucometer’ or ‘some people were not concentrating’.
If there are clear anomalies, then you can omit them from your discussion, but state why.