Technical Writing for Success: Investigative Reports PDF

Technical Writing for Success Science Lab Reports Audience Reasoning 9 Structure and Grammar Other Investigative Reports Incident Reports...

Technical Writing for Success Science Lab Reports Audience Reasoning 9 Structure and Grammar Other Investigative Reports Incident Reports Trip Reports © 2010 South-Western Forensic Reports Cengage Learning  Chapter 19 Science Lab Reports: 6 Investigative Reports Audience The science lab report is necessary for sharing knowledge. Two main audiences read science lab reports: A scientist or professional interested in learning and critiquing the latest research in a field. An educator testing students’ knowledge of a concept or process. 2  Chapter 19 Science Lab Reports: 6 Investigative Reports Reasoning The steps of the scientific method dictate the structure of science reports. The scientific method uses inductive and deductive reasoning: Inductive reasoning goes from the specific (e..g All the swans I’ve seen are white) to the general (All swans are white) Deductive reasoning goes from the general (All swans are white) to the specific (The next swan I see will be white). Note: All swans are not white even though people used to think so based on inductive reasoning! 3  Chapter 19 Science Lab Reports: 6 Investigative Reports Reasoning Scientists use inductive reasoning to arrive at a tentative hypothesis. Then they use deductive reasoning to test the validity of the hypothesis. The science report is the written record of this process. The scientific method calls for precision, accuracy, objectivity, and carefully drawn conclusions based on sufficient data. 4  Chapter 19 Science Lab Reports: 6 Investigative Reports Structure Science reports answer these questions: What was the purpose of the lab? What materials and equipment were used? What was the procedure? What were the results? What are the conclusions? 5  Chapter 19 Science Lab Reports: 6 Investigative Reports Structure a.Title b.Introduction c.Materials and Equipment d.Method e.Results f. Discussion g.Conclusion 6  9 Chapter 1 Organizing 6 Investigative Reports Science Lab Reports Notice that the word “equipment” never has an “s” on the end of it! 7  Chapter 19 6 Investigative Reports Structure: Title The TITLE should clearly and briefly indicate what the report is about. The title is never a complete sentence, and articles (a, an, the) are usually omitted. Use correct capitalization. Examples: Science Lab: Testing a Single-Bevel-Groove Weld Ruler Drop Experiment Genetic Editing Test 8  Chapter 19 Structure: Introduction 6 Investigative Reports INTRODUCTION The purpose of this experiment is infinitive verb … The purpose of this experiment is to test... Subject + Verb + Object Use infinitive verb (to + verb) as the object. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the existence of harmful bacteria in pork products. Subject = The purpose of this experiment Main Verb = is Object (infinitive verb) = to investigate ….(something). 9 Exercise 1 (oral): Transform the following into purpose type statements using the infinitive 1.We are measuring the prevalence of obesity in the French pre teen population 2.We are investigating incidences of cross-fertilzation of wildflowers in the Mojave desert 3.We are testing the strength of a newly developed tensile fabric 10 Rewrite the following, correcting the mistakes Title Plant growth and development are significantly influenced by light. Introduction: The experimenters will investigate the impact of varying light conditions on seed germination rates 11  Chapter 19 Structure: Materials and 6 Investigative Reports Equipment List of Materials and Equipment Write a list of items (noun phrases) used in the lab Be precise Use columns to save space if necessary 12 Rewrite the following, correcting the mistakes Materials and Equipment: Three identical pots have drainage holes in them 20 bean seeds Potting mix Use a water spray bottle Label everything properly The Cardboard box Some Lamps are needed 13  Chapter 19 Structure: Method 6 Investigative Reports METHOD SECTION Include all information required for an exact repetition of the work performed. Do not write instructions to the reader. Use past tense, because lab reports are written after the lab has finished. Maintain objectivity by using passive voice verbs when describing the procedure or methodology (do not use words like “I” or “we,” etc.). Use precise measurements, e.g. The tadpole measured 3.15 cm long. 14  Chapter 19 Structure: Method 6 Investigative Reports Passive Voice Verbs Since you are reporting on work already done, use the PAST tense, and use PASSIVE voice verbs to be as objective as possible. Incorrect: PAST ACTIVE: We performed the experiment over three weeks. Correct: PAST PASSIVE: The experiment was performed over three weeks. Be + past participle Was or were + past participle 15  Chapter 19 Structure: Method 6 Investigative Reports METHOD SECTION Why do we use passive voice verbs? Why can’t we use words like “I” and ”we,” etc.? 16 Rewrite the following, correcting the mistakes Method: 1. Fill each pot with the potting mix. 2. Seven seeds were planted in each pot at an equal depth. 3. The pots were labelled: "Light," "Partial Shade," and "Darkness." 4. The "Light" pot will be placed directly under a lamp providing 12 hours of light per day. 5. The "Partial Shade" pot could be positioned further away from the lamp, receiving approximately 6 hours of indirect light daily. 6. The "Darkness" pot has been placed inside a closed cardboard box to completely block out light. 7. Water all pots regularly to maintain consistent moisture. 8. The number of germinated seeds (emerging sprouts) would be recorded every two days for a period of two weeks. 17  Chapter 19 Structure: Results 6 Investigative Reports RESULTS SECTION Results and conclusions are not the same thing: Use the Results section for observable results (the facts that you can see or measure). Include a graphic (table, chart, diagram, etc.) to visually show the results. Use the Conclusions section to interpret the data and explain what the facts mean. 18  Chapter 19 Structure: Results 6 Investigative Reports RESULTS SECTION What are the observable results (the facts)? 19  Chapter 19 Structure: Results 6 Investigative Reports Maintain objectivity by describing observable results without personal bias or emotion. Which sentence is more objective (simply describing the observable facts without interpreting them)? 1. A crack appeared along the surface of the plate. 2. The plate was clearly weak and so it broke. 20 Rewrite the following, correcting the mistakes Results: The "Light" group exhibited the highest germination rate, with all seven seeds sprouting within the first week. This was a great result! Unfortunately, the "Partial Shade" group showed a slower germination rate. Only four seeds germinated within two weeks, very disappointing. The "Darkness" group was the absolute worst with not even one seed germinating throughout the observation period! 21  Chapter 19 Structure: Discussion 6 Investigative Reports DISCUSSION SECTION Include comments, explanation, and ideas about the results, especially any unexpected results. Explain WHY you got the results. Compare results to existing theories. Comment on the suitability of the methods used in the experiment. 22  Chapter 19 Discussion Section 6 Investigative Reports DISCUSSION SECTION What are the comments, explanations, and ideas about the results? 23  Chapter 19 Conclusion Section 6 Investigative Reports CONCLUSION SECTION Interpret the data and explain what the facts mean in relation to the initial purpose of the experiment. Comment on the success, or lack of success, of the experiment. What scientific discoveries were made, if any? What was learned in this experiment? Add any closing thoughts or suggestions for further scientific study. Consider your audience. 24  Chapter 19 Conclusion Section 6 Investigative Reports CONCLUSION SECTION What is the conclusion below? How does it relate back to the introduction? 25  Chapter 19 Conclusion Section 6 Investigative Reports Which sentence is more like a result, and which is more like a conclusion? 1. The patient’s temperature remained stable, ranging from 97.5 degrees to 98.1 degrees over the last 48 hours. 2. The patient is no longer suffering from fever. 26 Read the discussion and try to write an appropriate conclusion based on the questions below Discussion: The results support the understanding that light plays a crucial role in seed germination. The seeds exposed to the most light ("Light" group) germinated the fastest and with the highest rate. This is likely because light triggers hormonal changes within the seeds, stimulating the growth process. The "Partial Shade" group's slower germination suggests that while some light is present, it is insufficient for optimal seed development. The complete absence of light in the "Darkness" group prevented germination entirely, highlighting the essential role of light in this initial stage of plant growth. Conclusion: What does the experiment show? How do you know that (explain your reasoning)? What further experiments could be done? 27 Other Types of Reports Incident Reports Trip Reports Forensic Reports 28  Chapter 19 Incident Reports 6 Investigative Reports Incident reports, also called accident reports, describe an unusual incident or occurrence. The report must be carefully written to reflect what really happened, for it can become legal evidence used in court. 29 9 1 6 30  Chapter 19 Trip Report 6 Investigative Reports Trip reports tell management and coworkers what was gained from a business trip. Trip reports contain essential details only. They cover the parts of the trip and the critical information that are most useful to the organization. The writing of the report is prepared before. It’s important to know the purpose of the trip and what the organization needs to learn. 31  Chapter 19 Writing a Trip Report 6 Investigative Reports 32  Chapter 19 6 Investigative Reports Forensic Reports Forensic reports analyze evidence for legal purposes. They are a specialized type of science lab report. They are usually written by experts. 33 1 6 34  Oral Quiz What do incident reports describe? What is the structure of an incident report? Give an example of one detail that might be included and one excluded from a trip report. What state agency would be regularly involved in producing forensic reports? Give an example of forensic evidence. Where might a forensic report be used and why is it so important it is accurate? Questions?