10/25/18
I. Title
Results and Analysis
II. Purpose
The purpose of this lab was to present our result figures we created in order to receive constructive feedback on how our representation of the data from our experiment can be improved in order for readers to understand our results. From this, we can revise our figures to ensure they are thoroughly corrected to be input in our lab reports.
III. Sections of a Scientific Paper and their Purpose
Abstract
An abstract is a paragraph of no more than 250 words outlining the entire scientific article in order to have a reader grasp the reasoning as to why research is being conducted on the topic covered. An abstract is comprised of some background information on the topic, the results of the research, a conclusion, along with a briefing of the methodology used. Having an abstract serves to allows other researchers to easily understand the overall idea behind the research and see if it relates to their own field of study.
Introduction
The introduction gives the context behind the experiment being outlined in the form of an argument. It includes information that enhances the reader’s understanding behind why the research is being conducted on the particular topic and the importance of doing so. Similarly to the abstract, it is a brief, concise paragraph. The introduction is commonly written from general to highly specific, and its purpose is to show the significance of the problem the experiment addresses, why more research needs to be conducted, and the findings of the research. Without this portion, readers would not be aware of the particular research’s relevance to the field.
Materials and Methods
The material and methods section of a scientific paper is a concise, yet detailed writeup of all the procedures done in the experiment and why they were performed. This section should be written very specifically so that others wanting to replicate the experiment can do so properly and reproduce similar results. The importance of this section is to help the reader understand the methodology used and the importance of it in relation to the overall experiment’s goal.
Results
The results of a scientific paper is a section that corresponds to the materials and methods section in that it outlines each procedure’s outcome (if it entails one). This section involves analyzing the data from an experiment and creating figures as an accurate visual representation of the outcome. A key idea of the results section is to not discuss the results, as that is reserved for the discussion section. This section is of high importance as it aids in emphasizing the importance of the research.
Discussion
The discussion portion of a scientific paper is where conclusions can be drawn from the results of the experiment. This can call for cross-referencing experiments done by other researchers to compare results and search for possible avenues for improvement. It is also utilized as a way to heighten the importance of the particular study by showing the results’ relevance to its field of study and the problem being researched. Most importantly, it can serve as a place to conclude whether or not your results support your hypothesis or not.
References
A reference section of a scientific paper serves to give credit to other peer-reviewed articles and works of other researchers that were referenced in the paper. This section should be in APA format in alphabetical order of the lead author’s last name. Every time a source is used in the paper, a numerical in-text citation enclosed by parentheses must be used, which is aligned to the numerical order of the references at the end of the paper. The purpose of this is to compare other researcher’s data with your own to validate the results outlined in your experiment as well as serve to emphasize the importance of your research by providing pertinent outside information.
IV. Conclusion
Overall, the presentations conducted in class were very important in allowing me to understand how I need to improve my figures for my lab report. It allowed me to take notes of the critiques I needed to make such as re-assessing the data from the experimental results to ensure the p-values and other statistical values are logical. I was also able to see other group’s figures to see how I can add to my own.
V. Next Steps
For the future, I will use my increased knowledge of what each section of a scientific research article entails to create one of my own. I will also use the feedback given to my figures during presentation to improve them, so they are easy to understand by others.