​​Scientific Research Report
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​​Purpose ​🎯​ 

​​In your Scientific Research Report, you will identify and examine findings of an investigation, using information gathered from your research. Assume that your reader has a general understanding of the topic but no specific knowledge of the details. Through this assessment you will develop skills in research, critical thinking, and scientific writing. 
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​​Research Topic ​🔎​ 

​​For this task, you will examine the findings from the investigation on the following:
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  • ​​Write the research topic here
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​​For this task, you are required to refer to at least five (5) research papers. 
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​​Additional Information ​📚​ 

​​To help you complete this task successfully, the following resources are provided:
  • ​​Marking Rubric — refer to this to understand how you will be assessed 
  • ​​Checklist: How to write a Scientific Research Report — use this to help you complete the task
  • ​​Example: Scientific Research Report — review this to see a completed example of the task
  • ​​Library Search Tips — use this guide to search for resources
  • ​​Details of an investigation — review this to see to help you complete the task
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​​Checklist: How to write a Scientific Research Report ​✅​ 

​​Please copy + paste this checklist into your Notes, ticking off each task as you go. 
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​​Step 1: Task Understanding
  • ​​Read the Instructions and Checklist carefully
  • ​​Read the Marking Rubric
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​​Step 2: Selecting Texts
  • ​​Review the details of the investigation (in Resources)
  • ​​Read the Library Search Tips guide
  • ​​Identify a set of potentially useful research papers
  • ​​Survey, skim, and scan to find the relevant resources, and parts of the resources
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​​Step 3: Critical Reading
  • ​​As you read each resource, jot down notes using this framework (adapted from Marshall and Rowland (2006)):
  • ​​The author’s purpose: why has the author written the material? Are these purposes explicitly stated? Are these implicitly stated?
  • ​​The author’s approach: what are the author’s underlying assumptions? Are these explicitly stated? Is there any proof of bias? 
  • ​​Content: what is the author’s thesis? How do they develop the thesis? What evidence, examples, or explanations are used?
  • ​​Tip: as you read, make reference notes of any sources
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​​Step 4: Report Plan 
  • ​​Use this structure to help plan your Scientific Research Report (adapted from UniMelb’s Scientific research reports), adding dot points under each section: 
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  • ​​Title
  • ​​Indicate the purpose and scope of your study, including key words
  • ​​Tip: keep your title informative, topic-specific and brief
  • ​​Abstract
  • ​​Write a concise summary of your Report, outlining the scope and purpose 
  • ​​Tip: this should help readers assess the contents and direction of you paper 
  • ​​Introduction