Basic elements of a publication-style research report.

Sections:

Title - one sentence that says it all.

Abstract - paragraph of sentences summarizing each section.

Introduction - Why we did this experiment.

Methods - How we did this experiment.

Drawing of experimental configuration

Results - What we found.

Figures and Tables

Discussion - What the findings mean.

Bibliography - references to other literature

Order of writing: Value for this class:

Methods 40%

Results 40%

Text 20%

Figures and Tables 20%

Introduction/Discussion 5%+5%

Abstract 5%

Title 5%

Key points about each section:

Methods:

The Methods section should give enough information for another researcher to exactly replicate your experiment.

a. Subjects - species, sex, weight/age

b. Preparation - anesthesia type and dosage (mg/kg weight),

special handling (eg. cooled in icebath), dissection/surgical technique, stereotaxic.

c. recording/stimulating configuration

d. data analysis methods - statistics or computer programs

e. Histological tissue preparation - marking lesions, perfusion, sectioning and staining.

Results:

The results consists of two parts, TEXT and FIGURES.

You MUST describe the figures using words. It is not enough to simply show the data, you must describe it. (eg. The maximum slope of the stimulus response curve occurred for stimuli between 5-7 V.)

Introduction:

This section should state why we did the experiment and what we expect to find (if applicable). This section normally contains a brief literature review which is not necessary for this course.

Discussion:

This section should begin with a restatement of the findings reported in the Results section in general terms (e.g. We observed an increase in muscle excitability when we added physostigmine.) Then explain your interpretation of these findings (e.g. This is consistent with an increase in the availability of synaptic acetylcholine.) Normally this section involves hypothesis building and a critical review of potential pitfalls of the experiment.

Abstract:

The abstract is the face of your report. It should have at least one sentence describing each section (Intro, Method, Results, Discussion).

Title:

Writing a good title is an artform. In one sentence the title should specify the methods, independent and dependent experimental variables and (if lucky) the findings or conclusion.

A long report is not necessarily a good report. You will get bonus points for brevity. Concentrate on making good figures because this conveys the most information.