Writing in Mathematics and the Sciences

Writing requirements in science and mathematics courses vary from considerable to none. Some courses require lab reports, papers and short answers on essay exams; other courses may not require writing at all.

Mathematics is a language. It is a precise language with a specialized vocabulary. Besides problem solving, students will learn mathematical properties and theorems. Mathematics tests can include questions that require correct usage of the vocabulary. Proper grammar and spelling are essential even on math tests.

Statistics is a course that requires writing on projects, tests, homework, and assignments. Hypothesis testing is a procedure that requires clear and concise writing. To ensure that a sample is not biased, survey questions must be written in a manner that is not slanted. Statistical writing must be coherent, logical, and understandable.

Courses in the life and physical sciences often require writing. Clear, concise writing is the aim in science writing. As in the social sciences, you must distinguish between observation and interpretation, between fact and theory.

When people hear the word “theory” in everyday language, they often think it means “speculation” or even “wild guess,” but in science it more likely means “explanation.” Observations or facts are presumed to be objective bits of information which someone has noticed or discovered through an experiment. Scientists try to understand, explain and interpret these observations, perhaps by developing a “theory” (an explanation). This process will be clarified in your science courses.

Documenting Sources in the Sciences

Few scientific disciplines require a specific documentation system, though leading journals often establish norms for a given field. When writing documented essays, however, remember that the DATE of a particular article matters as much as the name of the researcher. Therefore, we recommend that you choose a system of in-text documentation or footnotes which prominently displays the date, as in the following example: ...the feasibility of selecting for stem rust resistance (Schmidt and Johnson, 1981).

This in-text reference would be accompanied by a Works Cited list giving the authors’ full names, the name of the book or article and journal, and complete publication information (place of publication, publisher, and date for book; volume and issue number plus page numbers for articles). Some examples are given below.

Article in a journal:

Schmidt, A. B., and Johnson, C. D., 1991, Growth of deserts from 1980 to 1990:
    Journal of Environmental Science, v. 45, pp. 772-783.

Book:

Smith, John S., 1989, Tropical Rain Forests: New York, McGraw-Hill, 457 p.

Article in a book with an editor:

Brown, E. F., and Green, G. H., 1988, Properties of sodium nitrate at low
    temperature, in Jones, K. L., ed., The Chemistry of Sodium: Cambridge,
    Cambridge University Press, pp. 45-61.

The Works Cited list may be organized alphabetically by authors’ last names, chronologically by publication date, or in order of use in the paper. Consult your instructor to discover any preferences for particular note and bibliography formats.

Writing a Laboratory Report

The following outline of a typical lab report is taken in part from Sylvia Mader, Laboratory Manual: Biology, 3rd ed., 1990. It can be modified as appropriate.

OUTLINE INTRODUCTION. The introduction tells the reader what the experiment was about. Background information Purpose Hypothesis PROCEDURE. The procedure section tells the reader how you did the experiment. Equipment used How the data were collected RESULTS. The results section presents the data in a clear manner. Graph or data table DISCUSSION. This section presents the interpretation of the data and conclusions. Support of hypothesis. Tell whether the hypothesis was supported. If your results fail to support the hypothesis, explain why this may have occurred. Explanation. Explain as fully as possible why you think you got the results you did. Conclusion. In general terms, outline what you learned from the experiment and suggest follow-up research.

Points to Remember in Writing Lab Reports

• Clarity. Your report should be organized and presented so that the reader can easily understand your work.
• Good writing. Give particular attention to grammar.
• Observations are not interpretations. The distinction should be kept clear.
• Exercise good judgment. As you prepare your report, you will make many difficult decisions about how best to present and interpret your data. Your attention to these decisions will be reflected in the quality of your report.