Le parc japonais est beau et calme

1
Le parc japonais est beau et calme
Ritsurin Park, Takamatsu
La fille japonaise est belle mais bavarde
2
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.
3
(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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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
• 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)

7
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.
8
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.
9
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,
• Description of the equipment and materials
  employed.
• 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.)

10
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.
11
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,
• Main principles, causal relations, or
  genralisations that are shown by the results.
• 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.

12
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.
13
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 )
14
Acknowledgements

• The order of acknowledgement generally follows
• this rule
• The persons who have helped you carry out this
  research (help you in generating ideas through
  discussion, producing data, etc.).
• The persons who have reviewed your paper and
  provided comments and suggestions.
• The organisations which provided financial
  support to your research.
• Contribution number of your research institute.

15
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.
16
Bon appétit !