A Guide To Writing Your IMRAD Science Reports

A Guide to Writing Your Science report in the IMRAD format
IMRaD
INTRODUCTION
Purpose and Aim

Write one paragraph. Explain the purpose (objective) of this experiment. Entice the reader with an
interesting piece of information to make them want to keep reading your report. Provide some indication
of what you would expect the experiment to show. The purpose is broader than the hypothesis. For
example, in another experiment, the hypothesis might talk about the relationship between temperature
and the rate of solubility, but the purpose could be to learn more about some specific principle
underlying the process of solubility.
Hypothesis
Write one sentence that is your hypothesis. You must describe a specific cause and effect (“If…,
then…”). Remember this is not a question; it is a prediction of the outcome. Most hypotheses contain
both an independent and dependent variable.
METHOD
Variables
Use subheadings and identify:
• the independent variable
• the dependent variable
• the controlled variables
Write one or two sentences that describe how you set and controlled each variable.
Preliminary trials
Discuss the preliminary trials and what changes you needed to make to the final experiment for it to
work correctly.
Materials
List all the equipment and materials you used – everything, even pen and paper. You may list using
bullet points, or write in continuous prose.
Method
Explain the procedure. Describe, step by step, exactly how you set up your experiment and actually
carried it out. Insert a computer-generated, labelled diagram of your experiment. Refer to the UPU0005
Unit Plan (p. 11) for how to present diagrams correctly. Describe the safety procedures and ethical
considerations you made to minimise the risk of injury to yourself and others.
RESULTS
This should be one or two paragraphs that describes the results you obtained from your experiment.
• Express your data in words. Tell the reader the information that you have provided in the tables
and graphs.
• Use tables and figures (graphs) to help guide your readers toward the most important
information you gathered. Refer to each table or figure directly, where appropriate: “Table 1 lists
the rates of solubility for each substance” or “Solubility increased as the temperature of the
solution increased (see Figure 1).
• Describe trends and patterns that emerge as you examine your data. Although identifying these
requires some judgment on your part and so may not feel like factual reporting, no-one can deny
that these trends and patterns exist, and so they properly belong in the “Results” section.
A Guide to Writing Your Science report in the IMRAD format
• Refer to your data using third person and past tense because the events you recorded have
already occurred.
Table: Display your trial data as a computer-generated (“Word”) table. Refer to the UPU0005 Unit Plan
for how to present tables correctly.
Graph 1: Display your trial data (all 3) as an “Excel” line graph showing the relationship between the
independent variable and the dependent variable.
Graph 2: Display your trial data averages as an “Excel” line graph showing the relationship between
the independent variable and the dependent variable.
Refer to the UPU0005 Unit Pla for how to present graphs correctly.
DISCUSSION
Tell your readers what to make of the results you obtained (interpret the findings).
• Explain whether the data supports your hypothesis

• Discuss the reliability and validity of the results. Explain any problems you encountered doing
the experiment that may have had an effect on the accuracy of the results (data) obtained.
• Acknowledge any anomalies, errors or deviations from what you expected.
• Provide at least two suggestions to improve the experiment, explaining why.
• Explain the science behind what you observed. Use a range of appropriate scientific terms
related to this experiment. Ensure you include in-text referencing: a minimum of 3 references is
required for this section.
• Conclude your report by reintroducing your hypothesis. Discuss to what extent the findings of
your experiment support/do not support your hypothesis. You should not include any new data or
information in your conclusion.
References
A full end-text reference list of all the sources used your report should be included using APA format
(see ECU’s Referencing Guide, p. 39, sample). This heading and list of references should start on a
new page and be the last page of your report. In-text referencing should also be included in your report.
Transitional words and phrases
Transitional words and phrases show logical relationships between sentences and ideas. Use them to
strengthen your writing. They act as “glue” holding your ideas and sentences together, taking the reader
smoothly and logically from one part of your report to the next.
1. To give examples: for example, for instance, such as, specifically, as an illustration
2. To show cause and effect: therefore, hence, thus, as a result, resulting in, so, consequently
3. To contrast: nevertheless, however, but, on the other hand, in contrast, on the contrary,
conversely, at the same time, still, although, even though, despite, in spite of, counter to
4. To elaborate: in addition, additionally, moreover, also, furthermore, equally important
5. To emphasize: more/most importantly, chiefly, indeed, in fact, primarily, no doubt, truly
6. To restate: again, in other words, in effect, that is, in short, put another way, to clarify
7. To conclude: thus, finally, in the end, consequently, as a result, therefore, accordingly

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A Guide to Writing Your Science report in the IMRAD format

Purpose and Aim

• Explain whether the data supports your hypothesis

Transitional words and phrases

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