Instructions for Writing a Scientific Report

Department of Chemistry
University of Jyvskyl

1. Introduction

Writing a scientific report is a fundamental skill for chemists. At the University of Jyvskyl, the goal of a laboratory report or a scientific summary is to communicate the experimental procedure, results, and conclusions clearly and concisely. A good report allows others to reproduce the experiment and understand the significance of the findings.

This document outlines the standard structure and formatting requirements for scientific reports submitted within the Department of Chemistry.

2. Structure of the Report

A standard scientific report follows the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), though specific variations may apply depending on the course or assignment. All reports must be written in English unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

2.1 Title Page

The title page should be the first page of the document. It must contain:

• The title of the experiment (specific and concise).
• Name of the student.
• Student number.
• Name of the course and laboratory group.
• Name of the supervisor/partner if applicable.
• Date of submission.

2.2 Abstract

The abstract is a brief summary of the entire report, usually limited to 100200 words. It should appear on a separate page after the title page. The abstract must answer the following questions:

• Why was the study performed?
• What methods were used?
• What were the main results?
• What do the results mean?

The abstract should be self-contained; do not cite references or use abbreviations that are not defined within the text.

2.3 Introduction

The introduction provides the background and context for the experiment. It should not merely list the procedural steps. Instead, it should cover:

• The theoretical background and relevant chemical equations.
• The objective or hypothesis of the experiment.
• A brief overview of the method used.

Proper referencing is required in this section to support the theoretical background.

2.4 Experimental Section (Materials and Methods)

This section describes how the experiment was conducted. The primary rule is that it must be written in the past tense and sufficiently detailed so that another chemist can reproduce the work. At JYU, this section often includes:

• Chemicals: List all reagents with purity (e.g., 99.9%) and supplier.
• Equipment: List major instruments (e.g., NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectrometer).
• Procedure: Describe the steps taken. If you are copying a procedure from a lab manual or literature, cite the source and note any modifications made.

2.5 Results

This section presents the data collected during the experiment. Do not interpret the data here; simply report it. Use text, tables, and figures effectively:

• Tables: Should be numbered sequentially (Table 1, Table 2) and have a descriptive caption placed above the table.
• Figures: (Graphs, spectra) should be numbered sequentially (Figure 1, Figure 2) and have a descriptive caption placed below the figure.
• Observations: Note color changes, precipitates, or temperature fluctuations.

All calculations, including sample calculations and error analysis (standard deviation, relative error), should typically be included in this section or an appendix, depending on the instructions.

2.6 Discussion

The discussion is the most critical part of the report. It interprets the results and explains their significance. This section should:

• Explain whether the results support the hypothesis.
• Compare the results with literature values or theoretical expectations.
• Analyze sources of error (random vs. systematic). Be specific; avoid generic statements like "human error."
• Discuss the reliability of the data.

2.7 Conclusions

The conclusion should be brief and to the point. It summarizes the main findings and their implications. No new information should be introduced in the conclusion.

2.8 References

All sources cited in the text must be listed in the reference section. The Department of Chemistry generally accepts the American Chemical Society (ACS) style or the Harvard referencing style. Confirm the specific style required for your course.

Examples of references:

• Journal Article: Smith, J. A.; Doe, J. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 12341240.
• Book: Cotton, F. A.; Wilkinson, G. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry; Wiley: New York, 1988.

3. Formatting and Style

Adhering to formatting guidelines ensures readability and professionalism.

• Font: Use a standard serif font (e.g., Times New Roman) size 12 for the main text. Sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial) may be used for headings.
• Spacing: Use 1.5 or double line spacing.
• Margins: Standard margins (2.54 cm or 1 inch) on all sides.
• Page Numbers: Include page numbers, typically starting from the Introduction.
• Language: Write in formal, scientific English. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, and contractions (e.g., use "do not" instead of "don't").
• Tense: Use past tense for methods and results (what was done). Use present tense for established facts (e.g., "Water is a polar solvent").

4. Ethical Considerations

Academic integrity is paramount. Plagiarism is taken very seriously at the University of Jyvskyl.

• Plagiarism: Copying text from another student, a website, a journal, or an AI tool without proper citation is prohibited. Paraphrasing does not remove the need for citation.
• Data Manipulation: Fabricating or falsifying data is a severe offense. If an experiment fails, report the actual data and explain the failure in the discussion.
• Collaboration: While you may discuss the experiment with lab partners, the report must be your own original work.

5. Submission

Reports are usually submitted electronically via Moodle or as a hard copy to the designated box. Ensure your file name is descriptive (e.g., Lastname_Firstname_CourseCode_Report.pdf). Late submissions may incur penalties according to the course syllabus.

By following these guidelines, you ensure that your scientific report meets the high academic standards expected at the University of Jyvskyl.