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Questions and Answers
Figure/tables should be placed after they are mentioned in the text.
Figure/tables should be placed after they are mentioned in the text.
True
The title page of a technical paper should include the author names, their affiliation, and the paper's abstract.
The title page of a technical paper should include the author names, their affiliation, and the paper's abstract.
False
A dissertation is a scientific report that a master's student writes before starting their research.
A dissertation is a scientific report that a master's student writes before starting their research.
False
Proofreading technical documents helps ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos.
Proofreading technical documents helps ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos.
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The first step in planning to write a technical report is defining the audience.
The first step in planning to write a technical report is defining the audience.
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What is the third step in planning to write a technical report?
What is the third step in planning to write a technical report?
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Technical writing emphasizes emotional impact over conveying facts.
Technical writing emphasizes emotional impact over conveying facts.
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Personal feelings should be the foundation of a technical report.
Personal feelings should be the foundation of a technical report.
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Good scientific writing should be clear, concise, and engaging.
Good scientific writing should be clear, concise, and engaging.
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A well-written technical report can be based on subjective opinions rather than facts.
A well-written technical report can be based on subjective opinions rather than facts.
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A good technical report should strive for objectivity.
A good technical report should strive for objectivity.
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Technical writing should be used to entertain the reader rather than convey information.
Technical writing should be used to entertain the reader rather than convey information.
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Punctuation is optional in technical writing.
Punctuation is optional in technical writing.
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Good scientific writing should be vague and open to interpretation.
Good scientific writing should be vague and open to interpretation.
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Logical conclusions are crucial for establishing a well-structured technical report.
Logical conclusions are crucial for establishing a well-structured technical report.
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A table of contents is only required for lengthy technical reports.
A table of contents is only required for lengthy technical reports.
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The table of contents should only list the main headings of the report.
The table of contents should only list the main headings of the report.
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The table of contents should include a list of figures, tables, and illustrations.
The table of contents should include a list of figures, tables, and illustrations.
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A well-crafted title should be specific and accurately reflect the report's content.
A well-crafted title should be specific and accurately reflect the report's content.
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Indicative titles provide an overview of the report's findings and conclusions.
Indicative titles provide an overview of the report's findings and conclusions.
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Informative titles should indicate the subject matter and briefly summarize the results.
Informative titles should indicate the subject matter and briefly summarize the results.
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The abstract should always be written in a single paragraph.
The abstract should always be written in a single paragraph.
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An abstract should be comprehensive, covering all the details of the report.
An abstract should be comprehensive, covering all the details of the report.
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The abstract should avoid vague statements.
The abstract should avoid vague statements.
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The introduction should include a comprehensive literature review of all relevant research.
The introduction should include a comprehensive literature review of all relevant research.
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The introduction should avoid stating the research problem.
The introduction should avoid stating the research problem.
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The introduction typically has fewer citations than other sections.
The introduction typically has fewer citations than other sections.
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The research gap is typically mentioned at the beginning of the introduction section.
The research gap is typically mentioned at the beginning of the introduction section.
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The experimental section should only describe the methods used in the research.
The experimental section should only describe the methods used in the research.
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The results section is the most important section of a technical report.
The results section is the most important section of a technical report.
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The results section should include only expected findings.
The results section should include only expected findings.
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The discussion section should focus on interpreting the results and explaining their significance.
The discussion section should focus on interpreting the results and explaining their significance.
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The conclusion should always include recommendations for future research.
The conclusion should always include recommendations for future research.
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The conclusion should restate the research problem but avoid summarizing major findings.
The conclusion should restate the research problem but avoid summarizing major findings.
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The reference section in a technical report follows strict formatting guidelines.
The reference section in a technical report follows strict formatting guidelines.
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The reference section should include details of all published sources cited in the report.
The reference section should include details of all published sources cited in the report.
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The reference section is the second-to-last section in the report.
The reference section is the second-to-last section in the report.
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The reference section is vital for crediting information from external sources.
The reference section is vital for crediting information from external sources.
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Plagiarism is the process of copying text from another source and using it as your own work.
Plagiarism is the process of copying text from another source and using it as your own work.
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Turnitin is a software designed to detect and prevent plagiarism in academic settings.
Turnitin is a software designed to detect and prevent plagiarism in academic settings.
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Turnitin can rephrase statements to avoid plagiarism.
Turnitin can rephrase statements to avoid plagiarism.
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Paraphrasing involves restating someone else's ideas in your own words, but with proper citation.
Paraphrasing involves restating someone else's ideas in your own words, but with proper citation.
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Quoting involves using the exact words from another source, with appropriate quotation marks.
Quoting involves using the exact words from another source, with appropriate quotation marks.
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A good reference source could be an encyclopedia, a popular website, or a personal blog.
A good reference source could be an encyclopedia, a popular website, or a personal blog.
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Soft skills are personal traits and habits that influence how you interact with others and perform your work.
Soft skills are personal traits and habits that influence how you interact with others and perform your work.
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Popular soft skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision making.
Popular soft skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision making.
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Technical writing is always formal and objective but never includes visuals like charts or graphs.
Technical writing is always formal and objective but never includes visuals like charts or graphs.
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A pie chart is useful for comparing different categories of data.
A pie chart is useful for comparing different categories of data.
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A bar graph is best for showing trends of connected data over time.
A bar graph is best for showing trends of connected data over time.
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Tables are primarily used to display qualitative data, such as descriptions and opinions.
Tables are primarily used to display qualitative data, such as descriptions and opinions.
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A table's caption is conventionally placed below the table.
A table's caption is conventionally placed below the table.
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Study Notes
Technical Report Guidelines
- Figures/tables are placed after mentioned in text
- Abbreviations defined at first use
- Define abbreviation MTE (mechatronics engineering)
- Tables and figures must have captions
- Figures must have labeled axes
- Do not start a sentence with an abbreviation (e.g., Figure vs. Fig.)
- Title page includes author names, affiliation, and keywords
- Dissertation is a scientific report by master students after research studies
- Proofread technical documents for grammatical errors and typos
Planning to Write a Technical Report
- Define the problem – first step
- Define the audience – second step; makes technical level suitable
- Identify potential topics – third step
- Locate needed information after identifying topics
- Authors determine investigation limits to regulate effort and avoid wasting time
Technical Writing Characteristics
- Lacks emotional impact
- Is precise, objective, direct, and clearly defined
- Good scientific writing is clear, concise, and compelling
- Based on facts and logical conclusions
- Must be objective
- Used to convey information on a specific subject
- Personal feelings are not a basis
- Avoid subjective evaluation
- Include punctuation
- Avoid vagueness
- Logical conclusions establish the report
Table of Contents
- Lists each section and subheading with page numbers
- Contains a list of figures, tables, and illustrations
- Important for easy navigation
Title
- Provides an understandable label for the area of inquiry
- Indicative titles indicate the subject, but not results
- Informative titles give an indication of results
- The title is the first section in a research paper
Abstract
- A mini-paper (around 200 words)
- A powerful summary of an article; avoids vague statements
- Usually one paragraph, different font size from the main text
- Answers "what" and "how" the author did something
- Excludes tables, maps, and references to other work
- Important to persuade the reader to see the full text
- Important for answering a call for paper in a conference
- Important for helping readers decide if the article is relevant to them
- Descriptive abstracts are often written before the project is completed; include problem and method
- Informative abstracts include results, conclusions, and recommendations
- The abstract is the paper section used to persuade the reader to read the full text
- Includes purpose, findings, and impact
- Summarizes the whole report including features, results, and conclusions
- Read the abstract first if you don't have time to read the whole paper
Introduction
- The best place for prior related works and a general overview
- Contains an explanation of the problem
- Usually has the greatest number of cited articles
- Can state the hypothesis
- Typically mentions the research gap at the end
Results
- The most important section in the paper
- The heart of the paper
- Includes figures, diagrams, and plots (labeled, captioned, and titled)
- Includes unexpected results
- Includes collected and tested data
- Allows readers to evaluate the research findings
Discussion and Conclusion
- In the discussion section, discuss how and why the hypothesis was or wasn't confirmed
- The conclusion includes recommendations for future work, like design implementation
- The conclusion reinforces key ideas formed in the discussion
Reference
- The reference section has strict formatting guidelines
- Contains details of published sources referred to or quoted in the text
- Is the last section in the article
- Important for crediting external sources and prior research
- Includes numbered format and "author, year" format
- References are listed in order of appearance in the text
- Brackets are used for reference numbers in the text
Acknowledgement and Appendix
- Acknowledgements include your sponsor and others who helped you
- Appendix is for further essential materials, but not needed by casual readers
- Appendices are numbered and mentioned in the text
Plagiarizing and Turnitin
- Plagiarizing is copying someone else's work and presenting it as your own
- Turnitin is software used to detect plagiarism
- Originality report is a color-coded report indicating matching text
Paraphrasing and Quotation
- Paraphrasing is putting other's words in your own words
- Quotation is using the original author's exact words within quotation marks
Good and Bad References
- Good references: University Press publications, well-known magazines, well-known online journals
- Bad references: Wikipedia, personal blogs, non-credible newspapers/magazines
Hard and Soft Skills
- Hard skills: Technical knowledge/training (career, education)
- Soft skills: Personal habits/traits (communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation, creativity, adaptability, time management, empathy, conflict resolution)
Using Illustrations (Charts/Graphs/Tables)
- Visuals: charts and graphs are used to present data clearly
- Pie Chart: Shows how a whole is divided
- Bar Chart: Compares categories
- Line Graph: Shows trends
- Tables: Present quantitative data for close analysis
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Description
This quiz focuses on the essential guidelines and planning strategies for writing technical reports, particularly in the field of Mechatronics Engineering. It covers the characteristics of technical writing and the steps involved in preparing a comprehensive report. Test your understanding of the conventions and best practices for effective scientific communication.
