CE/NR797: Final
Project Format
[Prepared
by R. Fortner for ¡§Digital and Field
Techniques for Coastal Environment Studies,¡¨ 7/02]
Final report (written)
P
lease use a journal reporting format to submit your project such as that
of the Ohio Journal of Science or the Journal of Great Lakes
Research. The format has a natural flow that answers readers¡¦
questions. It is the accepted way to demonstrate your methods in a manner
that shows others how to replicate the work and what to expect from the
effort.
Remember you are not targeting a correct answer to your question. It is
the process and your interpretation of the outcome that determines a quality
product. The written report should include in concise form:
Title:
Descriptive enough that another student would find it as part of a related
investigation.
Authors:
In order of contribution to the research. To discuss, contact instructors.
Background:
An introduction to your general topic area, with comments about why and to
whom it is important and what has historically been done about it. To cite
references in the text use (Author, year) format.
Research question
or problem statement: A brief statement of
what you are trying to resolve or investigate and how that relates to the
bigger picture of the topic area.
Methods:
Clear statements of what you did, with what resources, where, and how you
selected among alternative methods (if appropriate). This section should
include
- Setting for the research
- Description of the instrumentation and what each tool was expected to
contribute
- Design of the investigation (sequence of activities or experimental
protocols)
- Human subject interaction, if appropriate
Results:
What did your instruments and protocols tell you in relation to the
problem.tables, graphs or images with stand-alone captions, statement
of what the data indicate, but not an interpretation of the meaning
Analysis and
Conclusion (may also be called
Discussion): Interpret your data in light of the problem statement. Report
on sources of error and how the investigation could be improved. Knowing
your results, what should the next steps in research be?
References
cited:
Use a standard format alphabetized for
reporting complete citations of the research literature or Internet sites
used. Check a current journal for examples.
Final report (oral)
Each member of the team should plan to participate in reporting on
components of the research. The sections are the same as the written report,
but please don¡¦t read to us. If you need assistance with Powerpoint,
contact Dr. Fortner or Hongxia.