There are multiple reasons why one studies English online. One of the reasons that many people find in common nowadays is to find a career in the field of science and research. Since most science projects and experiments take place in English, it is important for a wannabe scholar to be well-versed in the language if they wish to expand upon their knowledge.
This article will focus on the basics of writing a scientific report and how one can present it to a larger audience. We will also take a look at the scientific terms and science vocabulary needed to write a research report.
Science Vocabulary
You can learn more about science vocabulary and its uses by participating in online English Speaking classes. In the meantime, here are some of the examples of the important scientific term you need to remember:
- Audit: in terms of science, audit means a formal review of records, policies, and activities in particular research.
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Author: The person responsible for producing the research paper.
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Beneficence: The ethical obligations that apply to scientists to do good and avoid harm.
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Bias: When the researcher puts a subjective opinion in their research, experiment or report, it is called a bias.
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Clinical trial: It refers to the experiment that a particular therapy or drugs go in to determine their safety and effectiveness.
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Data: The recorded information that tests the theory or hypothesis.
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Hypothesis: An idea that needs to be tested scientifically.
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Intellectual property: A product of an intellectual activity that is legally recognised as the author’s property.
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Negligence: This term is used in scientific fields for when the research is poor and not conducted under proper scientific environment.
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Objectivity: Finding research results that are free of subjective opinions.
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Peer review: When the researcher evaluates the work of someone who is equally qualified as them, it is called peer review.
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Placebo: A non-effective treatment that is used to test the effectiveness of the drug or treatment in question.
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Plagiarism: Copying or presenting someone else’s idea as one’s own.
Technological Vocabulary
Here are some of the most commonly used technological terms and phrases:
- Attachment: A document sent alongside a text or email.
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Cybersecurity: Online data security and privacy.
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Encryption: Protecting data by making it unreadable without a key.
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SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Taking measures to have a website picked up by search engines such as Google and Bing.
Idioms Used in Science and Research
Idioms refer to when words or phrases are used in a specific way that is often unrelated to their real meanings. Here are some of the idioms that are vastly used in science and research fields:
- Cog in a machine: A small but important part of any process or activity.
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Cutting edge: Something that is on the top of their line.
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Light years ahead: Very far ahead of the competition.
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On the same wavelength: Thinking similarly, which is essential when it comes to scientific research.
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Not rocket science: Simple and easy to do.
Structure of a Research Report
When writing a research report, it is important to keep the structure and style of the document into consideration. All research reports and scientific analysis are written in a formal style. While writing reports, one should avoid using colloquial terms or slangs and should use the correct vocabulary for each point. The meaning should be clear and the sentences should be short and crisp.
One should always start a report with a title and the title should be written in a way that describes the internal content of the research.
The third element, hypothesis, or the idea that is being considered in the report should be clear.
The materials or resources used in the preparation of the research should be presented in a simple list.
Once the report is ready, one should report the method of research using the past tense. A table, diagram, or graph will show the results. Lastly, the conclusion will be written with the inclusion of a statement regarding the extent of the accuracy of the hypothesis.
