Assessmentofscientificreport.pdf

Name: ………………………… Student number: …………………

ASSESSMENT OF SCIENTIFIC REPORT

Component Mark Comments

1 2 3 4 5
1. The cover page of the report

contains a title which is ‘catchy’,

succinct but informative, the name of

the author, and his/her affiliation and

address

2. The report contains a summary or

abstract which includes (i) what was

done and why, (ii) where and when it

was done, (iii) how it was done, (iv)

what were the main results and (v)

what were the main conclusions. [X3]

3. The report contains an

introduction which includes (i) a

description of the nature of the

question or problem under

investigation, (ii) a literature review on

what is known about the subject, (iii)

and a statement of the objectives of the

study, in the form of key questions or

hypotheses. [X2]

4. The report contains a materials

and methods section which details

what was done, and how it was done,

including (i) description of study sites,

(ii) outline of study design, (iii)

sampling techniques, (iv) variables

measured and (v) statistical treatment

of data. [X2]

5. The report contains a results

section which includes text (i)

summarizing the main results using the

correct tense and (ii) describing the

main trends, (iii) legible tables and

figures of a summary nature (not raw

data), (iv) statement that locates the

tables and figures where the results can

be found, and (iv) correctly labeled

figures and tables (captions and axes

labels). [X3]

6. The report contains a discussion

section which discusses the results in

the context of the information

presented and the key questions

formulated. Important points are

discussed first, there is a focus on

positive results, results are compared

with similar studies, shortcomings are

acknowledged and recommendations

are made regarding future research

opportunities. [X3]

7. The report contains an

acknowledgements section where

colleagues are thanked for providing

materials, funding or help in the field

or laboratory.

8. The report contains a references

section which lists all references

quoted in full, and in alphabetical and

chronological order. Formatting

should be consistent, and should be

appropriate for publication in the

journal, Biological Conservation.

9. General formatting and usage of

grammar, spelling and punctuation are

of a good standard, and presentation

follows the guidelines for publication

in a target journal (if appropriate) [X2]

10. Overall, the report is of a high

standard, and demonstrates a good

understanding of the project. [X2]