SUNY-ESF

FCH551: Polymer Techniques - Report Format

Reports are to be organized along the general lines of an original research report in a scientific journal. They should include the following:
 
  

Title Page:

Identifies Course, date of submission, title, group members

Abstract:

A very brief summary indicating what experiments were done, significant results and conclusions, if any, drawn from these results. (one paragraph maximum).

Introduction:

This should include a statement of the purpose of the experiment and sufficient background information to clarify both the procedure and the theory. (Write this is as if you were addressing a scientist who was not familiar with the specific techniques being employed.) Do not include lengthy copies of derivations. Instead, begin with the WORKING EQUATION and simply define the terms in that equation.

Experimental
 Methods:

A precise and concise statement of what was actually done. The list of steps in the handout is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Pay particular attention to areas where your procedure differs from that described in the text. This section should answer questions such as:
a) How much of each reagent was used?
b) What temperature?
c) What solvent(s)?
d) What instrument and operating conditions?
In some instances a sketch may be instructive

  Results/
Discussion:

Present in a clear and logical fashion both the measured results and the calculation of any derived quantities such as molecular weights, reaction rate, degree of crosslinking etc. Tables and charts are useful.
The discussion should attempt to make comparisons between the different experiments included in a particular report. Thus, the molecular weight report should deal with the different kinds of averages, how they are obtained and their significance. Additionally, the report should comment on the ease, accuracy, difficulty and, possible, cost of the different techniques.

Topics included in the discussion could also include, but need not be restricted to any of the following:

a) any logical inferences which can be drawn from the results; 
b) a discussion of random and/or systematic errors and an estimate of the  reliability of the results; 
c) comparisons with analogous procedures or techniques; 
d) comparisons with literature results or results from other students. 

References:

  List references consulted by you in the course of preparing the report. Follow the currently accepted ACS style in polymer journals such as Macromolecules. For journals this is 

1. A. Rahman, Phys. Rev., (1964) A136, 405-411. 

Appendices:

a) a copy of the raw data.

b) answers to the questions in the post-test part of the experiment.

Report
 Grading:
  1. appearance - 10%
  2. description / introduction - 40%
  3. results/discussion and answers to questions - 40%
  4. performance in the lab - 10%

 Warnings:

  1. Reports which do not conform to these guidelines will be returned ungraded and will be marked late when they are resubmitted.
  2. Plagiarism gets you an F on the paper.
  3. Deduction of 0.3 grade pts / day for lateness.


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