Just finished doing physics experiments and assigned to make a report? Although it sounds like a hassle, in fact the process of making a research report is not that difficult. Remember, the main purpose of a report is to explain the series of research processes you went through to people who are unfamiliar with – and want to learn from – the research. Read on for this article to understand the correct format for writing a report, as well as the writing techniques that should be used to produce quality research reports.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Compiling a Report with the Right Format
Step 1. Start the report with a title page
Most research reports should begin with a title page. Make sure you ask your teacher for specific information that needs to be on the title page. Generally, the title page of a research report will contain the following information:
- Your name and the name of your groupmates
- Research title
- Research date
- Teacher's name
- Information regarding your class
Step 2. Include the research abstract
The abstract is the first section that the reader sees, but it should be the last section you write because in fact, the abstract is a summary of the content of your research. The purpose of the abstract is to provide readers with basic information related to your research and its results so that readers can decide whether or not they should read the entire report.
Keep your abstract short, but interesting to keep readers interested and curious about your research
Step 3. Include an introduction
Although it really depends on the type of report and the report writing rules that the teacher sets, you generally need to include an introduction section to start the report. In this section, describe the theories you used, the background of your research, information related to previous research, and the purpose of your research.
Step 4. Explain the purpose of your research
Ideally, the research objective should be described in a few short sentences that describe the importance of your research. If you wish, you can also include your initial hypothesis in this section.
Step 5. Describe the research procedure used
The research procedures or methods section should contain a detailed description of the steps you took to carry out the research. Provide as much detail as possible so that readers who are unfamiliar with your research can follow the process and follow it well in the future.
- If the research procedure could be better explained by means of a diagram, make sure you include a specific diagram in this section.
- It's best to write the procedure in paragraph format instead of using bullet points.
- Some teachers require students to write down the research tools used in a separate section.
- If you follow the instructions listed in a physics book, don't copy the steps listed outright. Instead, explain the procedure you used in your own language to show the reader that you really understand the method and why you are using it.
Step 6. Include raw research data
Include all the raw data you have at this stage; make sure all your data is neatly and systematically included. If necessary, also include the data measurement unit used. Generally, this section can be better explained using a table.
- If you wish, you can also include a graph or chart containing the most important pieces of data. However, do not analyze the data at this stage!
- Describe the various uncertainties that may arise in your data. Remember, no research is completely free from uncertainty; ask your teacher if you're not sure what to include.
- Always include a specific section containing uncertainties in your data graph (if the uncertainty is known to you).
- Discuss the possibility of errors in research and how they affect the entire chain of research processes.
Step 7. Provide an example calculation
If you use certain formulas to analyze data, make sure you include that data in the report as well; don't forget to give examples related to how the data is calculated you mean. Just write down one example if you use the same formula more than once in your research.
Some teachers allow their students to create special sections that contain the results of formula calculations in reports
Step 8. Perform data analysis and present your conclusions
Data analysis is one of the most important parts of your report. In addition to confirming the meaning of your research and your position in the research, data analysis is also able to describe what you actually learned from the research process.
- Include information about the comparison of the research results with your initial hypothesis, the implications of the research results for the world of physics, and what further research can be done to improve the results of your current research.
- You may include your personal ideas for developing the research.
- Include graphs, figures, and/or tables to more clearly illustrate data analysis.
- Some teachers may ask you to separate the analysis and conclusion sections.
Part 2 of 2: Using Correct Writing Techniques
Step 1. Use complete sentences and correct grammar
In addition to data accuracy, one of the criteria for assessing research reports is the accuracy of the writing format, including the grammar and spelling of the report. Although the ability to write has no direct relevance to science, all scientists must be able to clearly describe their research methods and conclusions. Remember, your research report will be of no use to others if it contains sentences that are too complex and/or difficult to understand.
- It's best not to use bullet points to outline the bulk of your report. Bullet points may be used for sections with brief explanations such as a “list of required tools”.
- Always remember that one of the main purposes of research reports is to guide readers who are not doing the experiment themselves. If you are not able to explain the steps well, of course the reader will not be able to get the same results if they do the same research.
Step 2. Focus on clarity
After correcting all the grammatical errors, your next task is to make sure your report is easy for readers to understand. For that, try revisiting it to edit sentences that are too long and/or difficult to understand. Remember, sentences that don't make sense to you are bound to feel even more absurd to readers who aren't familiar with your research.
Active sentences are generally easier to understand than passive sentences. Therefore, try to reduce the use of passive voice as much as you can. For example, if you write, "The results of this study will be easier for people with the appropriate equipment to obtain," try changing it to, "People with the appropriate equipment will more easily reach the results of this study." Passive sentences are not always wrong., so don't be afraid to make sentences in the passive form if you think they make more sense
Step 3. Stick to one topic
To make the report easier to understand, make sure you organize each section by referring to a specific topic. At the very least, make sure that every sentence you include has one main idea. Also group sentences that carry similar ideas into one paragraph, and create another paragraph to cover a different topic.
- Don't discuss research results until you actually get to the “research results” section. Remember, just because you fully understand the research being conducted, doesn't mean your readers will too. In other words, you must lead them gradually from the beginning to the end of the research process.
- Remove sentences that do not add any substance to the report. Trust me, readers will be very upset if they have to deal with long-winded explanations before finding your main sentence.
Step 4. Use third person pronouns
When compiling a research report, avoid first-person pronouns such as “I”, “I”, “We”, and “We”. Instead, use third-person pronouns to make your report sound more authoritative.
For example, instead of writing, "I realize that the data we have collected is inconsistent with the results of previous studies," try writing, "The data are not consistent with the results of previous studies."
Step 5. If the report must be written in English, make sure you use the present tense instead of the past tense
For example, to explain that research data are in line with an existing hypothesis, make sure you write "The data is consistent with the hypothesis." instead of "The data was consistent with the hypothesis."
The past tense should only be used to explain the procedures and results of previous research
Step 6. Include headers and labels
To make it easier for readers to understand the contents of the report and find the required information, make sure you provide clear labels for each section of the report; Also label all graphs, tables, charts, or figures in your report.
Step 7. Edit your research report
Always take the time to edit the report before submitting it. Don't just rely on computer apps! Remember, computer applications cannot check for errors related to grammar or writing context.
Tips
- Do not use sentences that are too long or difficult to understand. Believe me, even complex information can be packaged in simple and easy-to-understand sentences!
- Your teacher may have their own set of rules regarding the correct method of writing a research report. Therefore, always ensure the correct writing format before starting to prepare a report; also include any additional sections requested by your teacher.
- If your experiment is divided into stages, try creating a separate report for each stage; doing so will help the reader to understand the data, process, and experimental results for each stage before moving on to the next.
