Report Writing

1. Structure
   A report PRESENTS in words the data obtained, their meaning and deviations from the expected results. This presentation is supported by data. The text MUST lead the reader through the presented data, your reasoning, a discussion and conclusions. It is NOT adequate to simply present a pile of data and the conclusions, leaving the reader to join the two parts up.


2. Presentation
   Set out your report clearly. Use headings (title; introduction; methods; results; calculations; discussion; conclusions; references).


3. Be concise
   Don’t over-elaborate and confine the report to what is asked for.


4. Be consistent
   Always use the same abbreviations. A set of rules helps and an excellent set are those provided by the British Journal of Pharmacology and detailed in, for example, Br. J. Pharmac., 114, 245-255 (1995).


5. Take care with detail
   A sloppy report suggests that the writer is disorganised and hurried and can't be bothered to take the time and trouble to do a good job. The implication is that the experiments were probably done with the same attitude and that the data is not to be trusted.


6. Be neat and tidy
   This is particularly important when presenting graphs and tables. Data presented carefully and neatly was probably gathered with the same attitude and is reliable.


7. Remember the scientific method
   Scientific Method:
   hypothesis >>>> prediction >>>> assemble experimental data to test prediction >>>> confirm, modify or reject hypothesis.