How to Write a Research Report for Science

K.Marsh, Glenforest Library

What is a research report?

The research report is the written product that results from researching a topic

reports the information in your own words and from your own point of view

involves going to source material and synthesizing what you learn from it with your own ideas

Step 1: Choose a topic

From the list that is usually provided by your teacher

Can be self generated, with your teacher's approval

Not a research question Not a thesis statement or main idea

Step 2: Formulate a thesis statement (main idea)

A thesis statement or main idea in an essay is a sentence that clearly identifies the purpose of the paper

It usually has three supporting ideas that you will support with evidence

Usually found in the first paragraph of your essay and then restated in your concluding paragraph

Is NOT a statement of fact or observation

An example of a thesis statement …

Fact or observation: People use many lawn chemicals.

Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with harsh chemicals to keep their lawns free of weeds because it's easier than pulling the weeds by hand, environmental alternatives are more time consuming, and they are uninformed about the hazards of such chemicals.

Make sure it's a thesis, not an announcement of the subject …

Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems.

Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe because of human inaction, corporate interference, and lack of government support.

Make sure it's a clear main idea …

A thesis statement has one main point rather than several main points. More than one point may be too difficult for the reader to understand and the writer to support

More than one main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subject of a movie.

One main point: Stephen Hawking's physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world renowned physicist.

– In this case, the three supporting ideas are revealed in the body paragraph rather than the thesis statement, which is perfectly acceptable as well

Step 3: Research for your paper

First-----READ, READ, READ Locate a variety of resources

– Reference materials (red dot)– Books– Vertical files– Magazines– databases

Do NOT start with the Internet Evaluate: Is information current? Does the source have authority? Have you used primary & secondary sources? Always take notes systematically (written or electronic) Avoid plagiarism by identifying general vs. subject-specific

knowledge

Primary vs. secondary sources

Primary sources are original documents that are not about other documents

Secondary sources are ones that interpret the primary sources

Step 4: Record your sources

Make good notes Document using: www.citationmachine.net

or www.BibMe.org (Library page on our website under Research Tools)

Avoid the urge to "copy and paste" Use the templates provided by the library for

recording sources accurately Never use Wikipedia in your bibliography

Step 5: Create an outline

gives you the structure on what you need to say and where

tells you whether your thesis statement/main idea will work

Each major outline point is your topic sentence for each major paragraph

Written in point form Acts a guide for the first draft Includes evidence & sources cited

Step 6: Write the introduction

Answers the questions, "What was the problem?" and "Why is it important?"

Should supply sufficient background information to allow the reader to understand and evaluate what he/she is will find in the essay

Contains the thesis statement (main idea) Should begin with a "bang" like an apt quotation, a

startling statistic, or a relevant quotation Last sentence of introduction should provide a

smooth transition into the first body paragraph

Step 7: Write your body paragraphs

A minimum of three Each body paragraph is devoted to one of

the 3 supporting ideas within the thesis Paragraphs must be in the same order as

they are presented in the thesis Each body paragraph contains at least 3

pieces of evidence for each supporting idea (quotations, paraphrasing, etc.)

Step 8: Write the conclusion

Restates your thesis/main idea Can also include a brief restatement of the

other parts of the research paper such as the methodology, data analysis and results

Leaves the reader with a lasting impression and possible solutions or suggestions for action

NEVER introduces new material

Step 9: Finalize your documentation

Embedded citations, footnotes, endnotes Bibliography Consult available sources about MLA, APA,

Chicago, Turbian Go to www.glenforestlibrary.com and click on

Research Tools under the Library tab Avoid plagiarism at all costs (again, click on

the above links)

Step 10: Title

the fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents of the paper

Should catch the eye of a potential reader Is never something like: Science Essay

Don't forget to proofread

Do it yourself first Then get a friend or family member to do it Then do it yourself again

Step 11: Revision

The editing and rewriting process Should occur a few days after you've written

the first draft Includes peer editing Is NOT proofreading This is the time to become your audience

and your marker and evaluate your work from their point of view

Step 12: Final draft

You're almost there …

This is the last step

But then make sure you proofread again

Step 13: Hand it in & celebrate

Yay!

Thank you

Any questions?

For more information on how to write a research report, visit:

http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/ http://www.geocities.com/soho/Atrium/1437/ http://www.english.bham.ac.uk/staff/tom/teaching/

howto/essay.htm http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/essay.html http://www.aresearchguide.com/styleguides.html http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/home.htm