Abstract Function: An abstract summarizes, in one paragraph (usually), the major aspects of the entire paper in the following prescribed sequence: • the question(s) you investigated (or purpose), (from Introduction) – state the purpose very clearly in the first or second sentence. • the experimental design and methods used, (from Methods) – clearly express the basic design of the study. – Name or briefly describe the basic methodology used without going into excessive detail-be sure to indicate the key techniques used. • the major findings including key quantitative results, or trends (from Results) – report those results which answer the questions you were asking – identify trends, relative change or differences, etc. • a brief summary of your interpetations and conclusions. (from Discussion) – clearly state the implications of the answers your results gave you.

Introduction • Function: – Establish the context of the work being reported. This is accomplished by discussing the relevant primary research literature (with citations) and summarizing our current understanding of the problem you are investigating; – State the purpose of the work in the form of the hypothesis, question or problem you investigated; and, – Briefly explain your rationale and approach and whenever possible, the outcomes your study can reveal.

Materials and Methods • Function: In this section you explain clearly how you carried out your study in the following general structure and organization: • The organism studied • The experimental or sampling design • The protocol for collecting data • How the data were analyzed

Results • Function: The function of the Results section is to objectively present your key results, without interpretation, in an orderly and logical sequence using both text and illustrative materials (Tables and Figures).

Discussion • Function: interpret your results in light of what was already known about the subject of the investigation, and to explain our new understanding of the problem after taking your results into consideration. • Fundamental questions to answer here include: – Do your results provide answers to your testable hypotheses? If so, how do you interpret your findings? – Do your findings agree with what others have shown? If not, do they suggest an alternative explanation or perhaps a unforeseen design flaw in your experiment (or theirs?) – Given your conclusions, what is our new understanding of the problem you investigated and outlined in the Introduction? – If warranted, what would be the next step in your study, e.g., what experiments would you do next?