Idk 🤒 Yeah so definitely devote quite a bit of time to your writings (I personally only started working on them like a week before the test so don't be me!). If you start now and do say one writing every two days for each writing and then slowly ramp it up as it gets closer then I'm sure you'll do well. Staying consistent and practicing everyday is much better than cramming. One part where I thought I wasn't strongest WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION the topic for me was about pollination or something and I knew absolutely nothing about the process, I genuinely thought I failed that. So essentially they gave the topic and some background information and I was supposed to rephrase the information to better communicate it to an audience and include extra information about the process (which I didn't know). If you can find science communication topics from past years or just from your friends or something, it will be really beneficial to start practicing early on.
This term in JMSS we had to write a scientific report about investigating the effect of different factors on the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid. The factor I had was concentration, so I was changing the concentration of hydrochloric acid and seeing what change that had on the rate of reaction. They gave some criteria to hit, so I thought I would share it: (The criteria was kind of based around this specific experiment but it can be applied to all scientific reports)
Method
- All equipment, and amounts and concentrations of chemicals are clearly included in the method.
- Method is reproducible. (i.e. it is written in a logical order and could be followed by a different person to get the same results).
-There is a single independent variable, and it is changed in a systematic way.
- The method for measuring the dependent variable was clearly explained.
- A description of how significant extraneous (non-IV/DV) variables are controlled is included
- Repeats trials of at least three different sets of conditions is included
Results - Lab Notebook
Raw data was recorded in a logical and legible manner in a laboratory notebook. Tables were clearly labelled and included titles as well as units of measurement.
Results - Prac Report
- A representative graph that showed the progress of the reaction over time for each trial of the chosen variable was included (see example in results section above)
- Data was presented in a way that clearly showed trends in the initial rates of reaction as a graph or table (see example in results section above).
- A short section of text that highlights any important trends, relationships, or departures from a trend is included.
Discussion
- The Discussion explains the link between the Results and the theory of rates of reaction.
- A description of potential sources of experimental error and its possible impact on the results is included.
- At least one way to improve the experiment by avoiding experimental error is included.
Prac work
Lab work was completed safely
Students brought all PPE
When I did the report writing I didn't meet this criteria as well as I could have so I'm sure if you hit most of these with your scientific reports you should be alright.
