Jump to content

Mod:Hunt Research Group/report components

From ChemWiki

Report Components

AIMS and objectives

  • when asked to state aims and objectives do so
  • many students fail to clearly state aims
  • make sure you know what the DIFFERENCE between an objective and aim is
  • many students fail to write sentences that are actually "objectives"

do not use EXCESSIVE numbering

  • this can be a particular problem for those using Latex, but I've also seen it in word documents
  • the maximum sub-numbering should be 3 i.e. 1.1.1 NO more!

Figures and Tables

  • the chemical structure INSIDE chemdraw diagrams must all be the SAME size
  • ensure all text is legible in diagrams, ensure all axis labels can be read at 100% document size
  • only insert full figures as a single image
  • a good option is to create the image in keynote or power-point and then save as a *.png file
  • keep ALL the component images of a composite image that is built in keynote or ppt as separate image files
  • do NOT use poor resolution images (images less than 144dpi)
  • do NOT use images that are excessive in file size especially with WORD documents, (images over 300dpi)
  • for images, save two copies, one is low resolution for use in word (ideally 144dpi), one is high resolution (ideally 600dpi) for use in posters, publications and presentations
  • ensure size consistency within images across the whole report
  • if you use WORD all figures/pictures/images MUST be in-line, picture placement in word is a nightmare, put all your images in tables (and hide the borders), it is easier to control placement of tables
  • NEVER use text boxes, EVER

REFERENCES

  • reference any statement that refers to "the literature"
  • do not state author names, this is implied when you add the reference
  • do not state "it is reported that" we know this as soon as you add the reference, so saying this is a waste of time
  • reference work the first time you mention it
  • reference at the END of a sentence, unless there is a list of examples or applications in which case each should be individually referenced
  • reference AFTER punctuation, normally the full-stop at the end of a sentence
  • reference figures in the figure caption
  • follow standard referencing practice as observed in chemistry journals such as PCCP or JACS
  • in the references section, references are one/two font sizes smaller, ie font size 10
  • check your reference formatting:
    • do not include the article titles
    • are ALL the author names present ie do not use "et. al."
    • are all Journal titles abbreviated and in italics?
    • are volume, year and page numbers present?
    • are dates or volumes in bold?
    • do INCLUDE DOIs

FORMATTING should be impeccable

  • your final formatting will follow the instructions given to you by the person/instructions relevant to your course
  • your intermediate formatting when sending documents to me will be the following
  • margins are 2.5cm, FONT is times 12 or arial 11 minimum, line spacing is 1.5 in drafts and 1.15 in the final document
  • include paragraph spacing 10pts is normal
  • captions are under tables and figures and in font size 10
  • references are correctly formatted
  • formating is systematic throughout
Retrieved from "https://chemwiki.ch.ic.ac.uk/index.php?title=Mod:Hunt_Research_Group/report_components&oldid=794480"