REFERENCE: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05048-x

Title

Title summarizes the experiment in enough detail that a prospective reader could immediately gauge its relevance.

The title should indicate the factors manipulated, the effects or responses measured and the topic (or organism) under study.

Introduction

Between half a page to one page that includes a brief review and appropriate references required to describe the research problem, current understanding, and importance of the work.

Objectives

Objectives are clear statements as to what will be investigated.

Provides necessary background to appreciate the application and impact of this work.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis must be stated clearly. Keep in mind that a hypothesis is a claim and not a question.

Final paragraph of the introduction

The final paragraph of the introduction identifies the objective(s) of the experiment as framed by the hypothesis.

Materials & Methods

Details regarding concentration, time, data collection, analysis, and other procedural detail so that a knowledgeable reader could reproduce the experiment and identify any potential flaws with the experimental design.

Summarize the experiment in detail by addressing what was assessed, measured, manipulated, or controlled in each experiment by identifying the variables within the experiment.

Define the independent, dependent, controlled variables, and controls (can be positive or negative).

Results Data collection

Data collection involves all quantitative and qualitative data (actual measured values) presented succinctly and in an easily understood form.

Statistical Information

When required, statistical data is analyzed and sorted and clearly presented.

Significant figures of the data and error must be consistent and reflect the precision of the measurements.

Figures, tables, and graphs

Figures, tables, and graphs are clear, and descriptive of the experiment making it easy for the reader to understand the information without referencing the text. In other words, figures and tables need to stand on their own.

Moreover, the figures, tables, and graphs are labeled with units. The figures, tables, and graphs must be informative, not crowded.

Figures, tables, and graphs are referenced in the text by number (for example, Figure 1.). If you have two parts to a figure for example, then use Figure 1a and Figure 1b.

Figures should not overly emphasize or camouflage different aspects of data. For example, a graph must be scaled properly to avoid biasing the reader.

Raw data

Raw data may be presented as supplemental figures at the end of the document only. You will need to document this data as you would any figure.

Referencing figures, tables, and charts in the report

You will need to reference each figure, table, or chart in the report. Also, if you are adding supplemental figures, then you need to also reference this in your text. For example, you may use a statement like this: "As seen in Figure 1...."

Good graphs, tables, and figures

Good graphs and tables clearly show the important features of the data. Each needs a title, labeled axes, and a key.

In general, graphs and tables should tell a story and be memorable but also have a 'low information to ink ratio' (junk kept to a minimum and no distracting features) and not mislead the viewer. Some of the following examples of bad graphs also give a corrected good graph. Choice of color when designing charts and graphs is also important to allow for color blindness and black and white printing.

Discussion

paragraphss - pages.

Explains the findings and the meaning of the experiments.

Addresses criticisms and errors. Addresses if the findings support or reject the hypothesis. Must provide an in-depth comparison of your findings to published findings. In other words, does your research support current knowledge.

The discussion provides an in-depth understanding, by comparing the current findings to previous work to bolster the conclusion and place it in the context of a broader research field.

Refer to specific results and observations from the experiment and tie them to conclusions. The discussion also provides the opportunity to summarize reasons for any disagreement between your results and what was expected. Moreover, recommend ways to correct or control for these discrepancies.

Conclusions

A final paragraph reiterates the main conclusion of the work and the impact on the field. The conclusion also includes recommendations for future action and additional experiments. Keep in mind the original hypothesis as you write the conclusion.

References

All formal lab reports require references. For example, you may need to reference your textbook, a peer-reviewed periodical, or website.

Quick Reference Formatting GuideIn text citations

In text citation use the parenthetical in-text citation method. Also, list references numerically as they appear in the text. For example, you have a statement that reads, "Time travel was originally established in the year 2034 (1). Here is a very detailed article that discusses the importance of proper citations in the sciences: the NCBILinks to an external site. is provided at the end.

• Journal references must cite the full title of the paper, page range or article number, and digital object identifier (DOI) where available. Cited journals should be abbreviated according to ISO 4 rules, see the ISSN Center's List of Title Word AbbreviationsLinks to an external site. or CAS's Core Journals ListLinks to an external site.. Note: If you are not sure how to abbreviate a particular journal title, please leave the entire title. The Editorial Office will abbreviate those journal titles appropriately.

1. Bowman, C.M.; Landee, F.A.; Reslock, M.A. Chemically Oriented Storage and Retrieval System. 1. Storage and Verification of Structural Information.J. Chem. Doc.1967, 7, 43-47; DOI:10.1021/c160024a013.

• References to books should cite the author(s), title, publisher, publisher location (city and country), publication year, and page:

1. Smith, A.B.Textbook of Organic Chemistry; D. C. Jones: New York, NY, USA, 1961; pp 123-126.

• In referring to a book written by various contributors, cite author(s) first:

1. Winstein, S.; Henderson, R.B. InHeterocyclic Compounds; Elderfield, R.C., Ed.; Wiley: New York, NY, USA, 1950; Vol. 1, Chapter 1, p 60.