Clear scientific writing generally follows a specific format with these key sections:
- Introduction – this section provides the audience with the background information they need to know to understand the purpose and findings of your scientific inquiry. An introduction also gives you an opportunity to explain the unique value of your study and findings.
- Hypothesis – this section is comprised of a precise, testable statement of what the researcher predicts will be the outcome of the study.
- Materials & Methods – this section explains how you conducted your study or experiment. A section on your materials and methods offers enough details that someone else could potentially recreate your experiment.
- Results – this section provides an objective explanation of what you discovered during your study or experiment. In this section, scientific authors summarize all the relevant qualitative and quantitative from their various charts, graphs or other data findings.
- Discussion – this section gives you a chance to interpret the potential implications of your study or experiment. If someone might draw multiple theories from your results, discuss all of these possible interpretations and give an outline for potential future studies.
- Conclusion – in this section, reiterate the main points of your paper and explain the significance of your studies or experiment.
BEFORE YOU GO . . . What have you learned? Put Your Knowledge to Work! . . . Using a research topic of your choice, write a sample of each section described above. Assignments should have the following headings: Line 1 = Subject - Scientific Writing Assignment; Line 2 = Last Name, First Name; and Line 3 = Institution. Please email your assignments to rodom@auctr.edu.
