Chemistry

When you're ready to write a lab report or research paper, first ask yourself two questions:

1. Do I have enough information to write about?
2. What exactly do I want to say about my experiment?

It's important to clearly explain what you did and what you found out. This helps others understand your work.

Every subject has its own way of writing, and chemistry is no different. Here are some key things to remember when writing about chemistry:

1. Use "the experiment showed" instead of "I found out" or "we discovered". This is called writing in the third person.
2. Write about what happened in the past tense, like "the solution turned blue" not "the solution turns blue".
3. Keep your descriptions short and clear.
4. You don't need to explain common procedures that most chemists already know.

Here are the main sections you'll usually find in a chemistry paper, along with a simple explanation of each:

1. Title: A short description of what your paper is about. It should give readers a clear idea of your topic.
   • Example:  Caffeine Increases Amylase Activity in the Mealworm (Tenebrio molitar).
   • If you can, begin your title using a keyword rather than an article like “The” or “A.”
2. Authors: The names of everyone who helped with the research. Usually, the person who did most of the work is listed first.
3. Abstract: A short summary (usually about 250 words) of your entire paper. It briefly explains what you did, what you found, and why it matters.
4. Introduction: This section explains why you did your experiment. It provides background information and tells readers why your research is important.
   • The introduction is a place to provide the reader with necessary research on the topic and properly cite sources used.
   • Summarizes the current literature on the topic including primary and secondary sources.
   • Introduces the paper’s aims and scope.
   • States the purpose of the experiment and the hypothesis.
5. Experimental (or Materials and Methods): This part explains exactly how you did your experiment. It should include enough detail so that someone else could repeat your work.
   • Explain what you did step by step: Write down everything you did in your experiment, like a recipe. Don't leave anything out, even if it seems obvious to you.
   • List all the things you used: Mention all the tools, materials, and equipment you used. If you worked with people, describe who they were (but don't use names).
   • Say where and when you did your work: If you did your experiment outside a lab (like in nature), be clear about where you were and when you did it.
   • Be very detailed: Write your methods so clearly that someone else could follow them like instructions and get the same results you did.
   • Use headings to organize your writing: If you have a lot to say, use subheadings to break up your methods section. This makes it easier to read and understand.
   • Use scientific language correctly: When you're talking about measurements, use the right abbreviations. For example: So instead of writing "50 milliliters" and "5 degrees Celsius" and "48 hours", you'd write: "The 50 mL sample was placed in a 5 °C room for 48 h."
     • Write "mL" for milliliters
     • Use "°C" for degrees Celsius
     • Write "h" for hours
6. Results: Here, you present what you found in your experiment. You might use graphs, tables, or equations to show your data. Just report what you observed without explaining why it happened.
   • Focus on the big picture: Look at your data and try to see overall patterns or major differences. Don't get caught up in tiny details that might not be important.
   • Just state the facts: In this section, simply report what you found. Don't try to explain why things happened the way they did - that comes later in the discussion section. If you did any statistical tests (like calculating averages or determining if differences are significant), include those results here.
   • Use visuals to show your data: Create tables, graphs, or charts to display your results. These can often make your findings clearer than just writing them out. Important: Don't repeat the same information in different visuals. For example, if you put some data in a table, don't also put it in a graph.
   • Refer to your visuals in your writing: When you're writing about your results, mention the tables or figures you've created. For example, you might write, "Figure 1 shows that the reaction speed increased over time."
   • Label your visuals clearly: Give each table, graph, or figure a number and a title. Do this separately for each type. For example: Also, include a legend (a small explanation) that explains any symbols or abbreviations you've used.
     • Table 1: Average Reaction Times
     • Figure 1: Temperature Changes Over Time
   • Put labels in the right place:
     • For figures and graphs: Put the label underneath
     • For tables: Put the label above
7. Discussion: This is where you explain your results. What do your findings mean? How do they relate to your original question? Why are they important?
   • Explain what your results mean: Don't just repeat your results here. Instead, tell the reader what you think your findings actually mean or show.
   • Mention anything unusual that happened: If something unexpected occurred during your experiment, talk about it here. For example:
     • If you were supposed to keep bacteria at 37°C (body temperature) but the incubator was actually at 30°C
     • If a machine you were using stopped working halfway through your experiment These things could affect your results, so it's important to mention them.
   • Connect your findings to what's already known: Think back to the background information you wrote in your introduction. How do your results fit with what other scientists have found? Do they support existing ideas, or suggest something new?
   • Discuss your hypothesis: Based on your results, was your original guess (hypothesis) right or wrong? Explain why you think so, using your data as evidence.
   • Suggest improvements: If you could do this experiment again, what would you do differently to make it better? Are there any parts of your study that you're not totally sure about? It's okay to admit this - in fact, it's an important part of science!
   • What's next? Based on what you found, what do you think other scientists should study next? Are there new questions that came up because of your results?

   • Remember, the discussion is where you get to interpret your results and share your thoughts. It's normal to feel unsure about this part at first. Don't be afraid to talk to your professor or classmates about your ideas - sometimes talking it out can help you understand your own results better!

8. Conclusion: A brief summary of what you accomplished and how it answers your original question.
9. References: A list of other scientific papers or books you mentioned in your report. This shows where you got your information from.

Remember, it's always a good idea to check with your teacher or professor about their specific expectations for your paper. They might have particular requirements for how they want you to write each section.

Writing a scientific paper can seem challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes easier. Don't be afraid to ask for help. We're here to support you!