Transcript Le parc japonais est beau et calme

Le parc japonais
est beau et calme
Ritsurin Park,
Takamatsu
La fille japonaise
est belle mais bavarde
Writing a scientific paper
There are two reasons why you should learn how to write
good reports of your science projects. First, by putting your work
into words, you will gain a better understanding of your project.
Second, knowing you are going to write a report of your project
and what should be included in the report will help you plan and
conduct the project. You will have to apply the same scientific
method - the planned, orderly procedures - in writing, as you do in
your science work.
A paper on a scientific or technical subject necessarily
consists of (a) a report of facts, (b) an interpretation of facts, or (c)
a combination of a report and an interpretation. The method of
writing is governed by many conditions, including the nature of the
subject, the purpose of the article, the characteristics of the writer,
and the interests of the probable readers. No set method or
arrangement will be suited to all kinds of papers.
(continued)
It is important that the plan of the composition
be made very clear to the reader. The main topics
and their subdivisions should be plainly indicated. In
this respect scientific writing differs from literary
composition. A scientific paper is intended to be
studied and used as reference; it is not merely to be
read. Hence literary devices should be subordinated
if they interfere with clearness. The plan should be
self-evident throughout the composition.
The title
A good title will distinguish your project report
from all others which have to do with the same
general area of study. Titles of scinetific reports
should convey important information rather than
show off the author's cleverness.
Abstract
The abstract is a brief condensation
of the whole paper.
A 100- to 150-word summary of the report should
follow the title (in geosciences, 300-500 words is
rather common). This summary should include in
one paragraph a statement of the purpose of the
project, general methods or procedures used, and
principal findings and conclusions. The purpose
of an abstract is to give the reader enough
information for him to decide whether or not to
read the whole report.
Introduction (& background information)
This section should give the reader enough
information to be able to understand the history and
the importance of your problem. It will often include
a review of other people's findings. If well written,
this section will explain your motives for undertaking
the project and will stimulate the reader. In short, this
section contains:
A. Nature of the problem; its state at the beginning
of the investigation.
B. Purpose, scope, and method of the investigation.
C. Most significant outcome of the investigation; the
state of the problem at the end of the
investigation. (this part is not always there)
The problem
If your report is based on the study of
specific problem, the problem should be clearly
stated or defined. You should tell whether you are
searching for or testing hypotheses, suggesting
a theory, or merely reporting some observations
to be made under clearly specified conditions.
The best reports will include a discussion of the
relationship between the problem and existing
theories.
Hypotheses to be tested
If one or a series of experiments is being
reported, all hypotheses being tested should be
stated. This section may also include a discussion
of what the possible experimental results will
mean in terms of accepting or rejecting the
hypotheses.
Experimental procedures
Anyone who reads your report should, with the proper materials
and facilities, be able to repeat your experiment or observations
and obtain similar results. Therefore, you must describe in detail
all of the equipment and conditions (T, P, etc.). Photographs and
drawings can be used as well as words. Every step in your
procedure should be carefully explained. If you discover that
some method of doing something will not work, mention it so
that others will not repeat your mistake. In brief,
A. Description
employed.
of
the
equipment
and
materials
B. Description of the experiments. Explanation of the
way in which the work was done. (Give sufficient
detail to enable a competent worker to repeat your
experiments. Emphasize the features that are new.)
Result (data) & observations
Presentation and description of the results.
Numerical data such as measurements and other
statistics are best presented in the form of tables
and figures.
Discussion of results
(Analysis and Interpretation of Data or Observations)
In simple, short reports, this section may sometimes be
included with the preceding one. The analysis of numerical data
may include graphs and scattergrams. Statistical methods may be
used to discover relationships. Non-mathematical observations
should be analyzed and interpreted in terms of the hypotheses that
were being tested. In other words,
A. Main principles, causal relations, or genralisations
that are shown by the results.
B. Evidence (as shown by your data) for each of the
main conclusions.
C. Exceptions and opposing theories, and explanations
of these.
D. Comparison of your results and interpretations with
those of other workers.
Conclusions
In this section, each hypothesis should be
re-examined and rejected if the data show it be
wrong. Hypotheses which are supported by the
research can be tentatively accepted for further
testing. You will seldom be able to fully accept a
hypothesis.
In earth science papers, this section is
commonly presented concisely and in a style of
point-by-point. It is sufficiently different from
« abstract » in format.
Implications &
recommendations
In this next-to-last section of your report, you
should discuss any meaning your research may
have for a better understanding of a broad area
of science. You should also include a discussion
of any new problems (or revision of hypothesis)
that have been suggested by your study. Never
try to draw illogical connections between your
research results and unrelated areas of interest
and study.
(In earth sciences, this section is often included
in « Conclusions »)
Acknowledgements
The order of acknowledgement generally follows
this rule:
1. The persons who have helped you carry out
this research (help you in generating ideas
through discussion, producing data, etc.).
2. The persons who have reviewed your paper
and provided comments and suggestions.
3. The organisations which provided financial
support to your research.
4. Contribution number of your research
institute.
References (or Bibliography)
You should strictly follow the style imposed by
each individual journal.
If you are a young researcher or student, I highly
recommend you to use « EndNote » software to
build up your own bibliography. This will save you
a lot of time in the research and/or preparation of
a scientific paper.
Bon appétit !