1. Writing a short research report
Approx 1200 words

2. Title
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Abstract 50-100 wds
Introduction
Method (Or technical description)
Results (or Comments on technical issues)
Conclusion
References

3. Abstract
• A summary of the work. Should make it
clear what is most important
• The point of the work
• What was done
• The main result and its signitificance

4. Paragraphs
• A single idea
• The subject should be clear with the first sentence.
• When there are many paragraphs there should be a
clear thread connecting them. Bridges and hooks.
• E.g argument, counter argument. The most
common method for showing x is. This has the
advantage that. It also suffers, however, from a
major disadvantage.
• E.g. review: there are three main methods that
have been used to display time varying data.
• In order to fully understand this problem we need
to consider …

5. Introduction
• One paragraph to give a general motivation.
– Start from the general, end by stating the approach in
the last sentence.
• One or two paragraphs (for assignment) discussing
background. Think about what is relevant. Give a
reference.
• A final paragraph creating a bridge to the method.
(alternative – place in the first paragraph of the
method).

6. Method
• Statement of the general approach
• Subsections
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Display
Task
Trials
Subjects

7. Results
• Give summary results
• Summary graphs useful, but not for only
two numbers.
• Give means etc.

8. Discussion
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Highlight main findings
Discuss implications, shortcomings
Future possibilities
Ideally this will close the loop with the
introduction