Scientific Writing Guidelines

Title (0.5 points)

Succinct and pique reader’s interest. Convey overall idea of paper.

Authors (0.5 points)

Person writing the report is the first author. Rest of group is listed as co-authors in order of their
contribution.

Introduction (4 points)

1 pt. Describe broader context of what was done in lab. What is the overall significance? What is the
general background for the study? What is the current theory?

1 pt. Why is it important/interesting to know about this subject?

1pt. Find information outside the lab manual and be sure to cite it correctly.

1 pt. What is the specific hypothesis you tested AND what is your expected outcome/prediction? Can
have more than one hypothesis. Do not answer questions or discuss methods/results here.

Methods (1 point)

Be brief. Include most significant methods that was different from or not included in the lab manual.
Refer to the lab manual for everything else. For example, in the methods section, describe how you
calculated something, what objective you used, and how you obtained the material for analysis.

Results (3 points)

1 pt. Clearly and concisely summarize your results. Present quantitative data and qualitative
observations, but do not interpret your results here (that is for the discussion). You can use figures,
diagrams, and tables to present your findings, but results still must be presented in written language.
(If image is taken from another source, cite it and reference in report.)

1 pt. Point out the most relevant results illustrated in tables and figures with captions.

1 pt. Refer to tables and figures at the appropriate place in the text. Tables and figures can be added to
the end of the paper and not included in page limit. Captions should be above the tables, and below the
figures.

Discussion (8 points)

1 pt. Conclusion: What did you find out from doing this experiment? Discuss your interpretations of
results (what you think happened) and formulate an explanation of the results (why you think it
happened). Use data from results to support explanation.

1 pt. Were your predictions supported or not? : If not, were there deviations or problems with the
methods that could have contributed to these results? Could there be any interesting alternative
explanations? Focus on most relevant findings, and develop argument to support your conclusion.
(Don’t just blame and say you made mistakes.)
1 pt. Implications: What do the results teach you about the subject or field overall?

1 pt. Were your results similar or different to other studies + explanation: Make sure to cite other
studies properly.

1 pt. Further research: How to design a better study or method? Go beyond simple method changes and
suggest something that will address an important question in the field.

1 pt. Good understanding: Discussion clearly show you understand the subject.

1 pt. Properly cited: Individual: (Last name + Year of publication) or (Last name + page number)
Group: (Last name + Earliest Year; Last name + Recent Year) or (Earliest [i.e. A] alphabetized Last name +
page number; farthest [i.e. Z] alphabetized last lame + page number)

1 pt. At least two citations (peer reviewed journals)

References (1 point)

Journal Articles: Smith, J.; Sanders, R.M. (1977). Title of Article. Plant Physiology 59(2): 45-59.

Book articles: Smith, J. (1977). Title of Article. Title of Book, Ed. 2 Vol. 3. Publisher, City, pp. 14-19

Theses: Smith, J. (1977). Title of thesis. PhD thesis. University, City.

Online: Smith, J. (1977). Title of Article. Source Website [i.e. L.A. Times]. http://www.google.com/essay.

Patent: Smith, J.; Sanders, R.M., Inventors. January 1, 1977. Endogenous hydrolyzing enzymes. European
Patent Application No. XXX

No author (online): Title of article. Source Website. (1977). http://www.google.com/essay.

No authors or editors (offline): Title of Booklet. (1977). Publisher, City.

PubMed Early Online Article: Smith, J. (1977). Title of article. PMID: 16723506.
{PubMed ID (PMID) allows reviewers to link directly to the article if it only exists as an early online
version. PMID can be found at the bottom of the PubMed record for the article.}