Unit 12: Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific

Technical Report
Lesson 3: Writing a Field Report and
Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Contents

Engage 1
Introduction 1
Objectives 2

Explore 2

Explain and Elaborate 3

Field Report 3
Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report 11
Creating an Abstract 17

Extend 18
Activity 1 18
Activity 2 20

Evaluate 21

Wrap Up 23

Bibliography 24
Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Engage

Introduction

Fig. 1. How do you start writing your report?

You have collected your data, organized and processed it, and made an analysis. Now you
are ready to write your final report. But where do you start?
● What is the difference between a field report and a laboratory or scientific technical
report?
● How do you write an effective field report and a laboratory or scientific technical
report?

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Differentiate between a field report and a laboratory/scientific technical report.
● Write an effective field report or laboratory/scientific technical report.

DepEd Competencies
● Disseminate written forms of information from surveys, experiments or
observations. (CS_EN11/12A-EAP-IIe-j-10)
● Write various reports. (CS_EN11/12A-EAP-IIe-j-12)

Explore

10 minutes

Look for a sample laboratory field report and scientific technical report. With a partner,
answer the following questions.

Guide Questions

1. What similarities have you noticed between the field report and the laboratory/scientific
technical report that you have read?

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

2. What then are the differences that you have noticed between the two?

3. What type of report does your research fall into? Why?

Explain and Elaborate

Field Report
The field report aims to describe the observations of people, places, or events. It also aims
to analyze the observation of data and categorize them into themes concerning the
research study.

Field reports are written to improve the researcher’s understanding of key theoretical
concepts by applying practical methods of careful and structured observations of people,
places, or phenomena existing in their natural environment. Writing your field report will

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

then require you to involve both description and analysis.

Formatting your field report is dependent on the research you have done, the observations
that you have made, the theoretical perspective that is driving your analysis, and the course
guidelines set by your teacher.

How will you format your field report?

Most field reports include the following elements:

I. Introduction
II. Description of Activities
III. Interpretation and Analysis
IV. Conclusion and Recommendations
V. Appendix
VI. References

The Introduction should have the following:

● a discussion of your research problem
● the objectives of your research
● the important theories or concepts that you will use for your field report
● a list of the reasons why you chose the observation site and the people or events
within it

The narrative of your Introduction should be descriptive. It should include a review of

related literature to the research problem, especially if similar methods were used in prior
studies. Conclude this section with a short discussion on how the rest of the paper is
organized.

Example
Engineering and Technical graduates' lack of English communication skills makes it difficult
for them to be hired in today's job market. In a 2010 study by the People Management

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Association of the Philippines, up to 40% of fresh graduates do not immediately get hired
because they lack effective communication skills, along with two other key qualities (critical
thinking and initiative) that employers look for in their job seekers (Rosero, 2012). Tocky Talk
is an experimental mobile application that serves as a learning tool designed to help
engineering and technical graduates improve their English communication skills. It features
learning materials and activities sorted according to their respective learning modules and
designed to develop the users' English communication skills through repeated use and
gamification.

A Midway Usability test based on the ARCS model (1987) was performed to establish that
Tocky Talk’s gamified features and content are in line with the study’s targeted audience,
focusing on students from a state university and a polytechnic university. This testing was
also geared towards measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction of the
application halfway through the development process.

This report aims to provide an overview of the relevance of Tocky Talk to its target audience
while garnering valuable feedback in the middle of its development process. §2 presents a
description of the activities, while §3 expounds on the ARCS model and provides a
discussion on the interpretation and analysis of the research activities. §4 lists the
conclusion and recommendations of the study.

Explanation
The Introduction of the field report provided the context of the study and introduced the
background of the study. In this case, the context of the study is for the team of Tocky Talk
to gain an understanding of their app’s relevance and sustainability to its target audience.
The introduction also presented the framework that will be used in the study, as well as the
goals and objectives of the midway usability testing.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Tip
Always provide the context of the study in the Introduction of a field
report. Providing context early on helps readers understand the
research problem.

The Description of Activities should have sufficient details about your observations. As the
readers are not witnesses to the situation, people, or events that you are writing about,
providing adequate context and description of your activities can fill in the gap.

When writing this section, take note of and answer the five Ws:
● What have you observed? What are the general implications or impressions of the
situation that you were observing?
● Where did your observations take place? Note important material objects that are
present to contextualize the observation.
● When did the observation take place? Record factual data about the day and the
beginning and ending time of each observation.
● Who are your subjects? Include background and demographic information about the
people being observed. Record who is doing and saying what, as well as who is not
doing or saying what.
● Why are you doing this? Note why something happened. List the reasons why you
chose a particular situation to observe.

Note that not all field report studies fit the five Ws. This section simply aims to provide
context to the activity that you have observed.

Example
Ten testers participated in two focus group discussions (FGD) regarding their experiences in
using the Tocky Talk application. Each focus group discussion consists of five participants.
The first set of participants were students from a polytechnic university in Ortigas. These
participants were in their first year of a two-year Dual Training System-Automotive program.
The second set were graduating students from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

program at a state university in Quezon City. The two FGDs were conducted by a main
moderator and one co-moderator or note-taker. The locations and days were also different;
the FGDs were conducted on their respective campuses, with the state university having
their FGD a day after the one held in the polytechnic university. The FGDs happened right
after the midway usability testing, wherein the participants had first-hand experience in
using Tocky Talk and answered a survey questionnaire.

Explanation
The description of the activities provided a description of the conduction of the midway
usability testing. The activity, which was two sets of focus group discussions set in different
schools, served as a foundation for the next section.

Remember
Some of the 5Ws in this section can be discussed further in the
Analysis section. Choose the format that will best highlight the
findings of your research.

The Interpretation and Analysis section should have a short discussion on the research’s
theoretical framework. The analysis and interpretation of your observations must be within
the broader context of the theoretical assumptions and issues presented in the
Introduction.

Example
John Keller (1987) proposed the ARCS model as a systematic way of integrating different
motivational aspects in various parts of learning. It aims to help educators design lessons to
stimulate an individual’s motivation for learning.

The ARCS model groups together different aspects of learning into four categories: attention
(A), relevance (R), confidence (C), and satisfaction (S). These four categories can positively
impact the effectiveness of students’ learning when integrated into the design of a specific
lesson. It has also been used specifically for computer-based or mobile-based learning.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Fig. 2. Four aspects of learning modules that can affect motivation according
to the ARCS Model

The Tocky Talk was specifically designed for graduating Science Majors and young
professionals in more technical fields. The application’s design, particularly the gamified
version, covers the four aspects of the ARCS model.

Attention
Many respondents found the application to be engaging and enjoyable. One tester said that
he found the application interesting and was curious about the rest of what the application
has to offer.

“Parang exciting, [at] parang interesting. Gustong mong malaman pa kung

anong nilalaman ng app.”
It is exciting and interesting. It makes you want to know more about the content of
the app.

They thought that the videos were short and easy to understand. They appreciated the
videos because they contained “more than a list of pointers.” They also liked the animated

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

videos and thought that the application would be boring without them. Moreover, they
appreciated that the videos demonstrated how the skills are to be performed.

“Bukod sa animation, maganda ‘yong tinuturo kung ano ang aayusin. Kung
walang video at basahin, boring siya.”
Aside from the animation, it also teaches you what to fix. If there is no video and
you only have to read, it will be boring.

Relevance
The most common feedback regarding the T4 App was how helpful it was to users. They saw
it as a resource for when they want to improve their communication skills in order to land a
job. One tester from MFI pointed out that the application might help those who are not
confident in their ability to speak English, yet are asked to speak spontaneously in interviews
and presentations.

“Katulad po namin na hindi ganoon ka-confident na magsalita ng English lalo

na kapag biglaan ang tanong. Bago mo gamitin, parang nag-practice ka na rin
doon.”
Like us who are not too confident with speaking English, especially if we’re
suddenly asked a question, we can practice there [in the app].

The application makes the tester better prepared for such situations. Moreover, they think
the application boosts their self-esteem and makes them more confident during interviews.
They see the app has a helpful tool, not only to those who are trying to land a job, but also
to those who are already working. Some respondents find it particularly relevant to users
who have jobs that require them to present reports.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Explanation
The sample section discussed the research’s theoretical framework concisely and proceeded
to examine its elements using the study’s data as evidence. This presentation helps the
reader understand both the application of the concepts to the study and the analysis of the
said data. As the data collected are mostly qualitative, relevant snippets of the transcribed
discussion are used to back up the interpretation of the theory.

Tip
Your theoretical framework can help you determine which
observations should be interpreted and which observations are
more general.

The Conclusion and Recommendations section should briefly recap the study and
reiterate the significance of your findings. You should also state any recommendations you
may have based on the results of your study. Note any unanticipated problems you
encountered and list the limitations of your study, if any.

Should you include new information in the

Conclusion and Recommendations section?

Example
Overall, the testers’ experience of the Tocky Talk application was favorable. The gamification
elements promoted motivation and added relevance to the application. They mostly
emphasized how helpful and relevant the application was to them, as well as how engaging
and enjoyable it was to use.

In a sense, they would be motivated to use the application because they thought the lessons
and activities were helpful in improving their communication skills, as well as relevant to
their current needs and goals. Testers from the state university were particularly motivated
by this aspect alone. They also found that the lessons and activities, as well as the reward

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

features, such as the coins, badges, and notifications, made the application more exciting.
Testers from the polytechnic university believed that, aside from the helpfulness of the
lessons and activities, these reward features could motivate them to use the application
more.

Explanation
Recommendations to improve the application are listed using the participants’ comments.
The conclusion was short and concise, and answered the main goal of the study that was
presented in the Introduction.

The Appendix is the section where you would place information that is nonessential in
explaining your findings yet supports your overall analysis. Examples of information
included in the Appendix are
● complete interview transcripts
● figures or tables of results, as well as statistics relevant to the study
● pictures, maps, or drawings

Remember
The order of the information in the Appendix is dictated by the order
they were first mentioned in the text of the report.

It is important to double check your References and make sure that all the sources that you
have cited are listed correctly. The format that you will use for this section is dependent on
your course guidelines.

Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

The laboratory/scientific technical report has two major aims: to document findings and
communicate their significance by sharing its results. It entails interpreting the research
phenomenon and experiments in a way that your readers can comprehend.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Note that, in essence, the sections in the Scientific Technical Report closely resembles that
of the Field Report. Most scientific technical reports contain the following sections:
I. Introduction
II. Materials and Methods
III. Results
IV. Discussion
V. Conclusion
VI. References

How is the laboratory/scientific technical report

different from a field report?

The laboratory/scientific technical report mirrors the scientific method. The scientific
method involves developing a hypothesis, testing it, and deciding whether or not your
findings support the hypothesis.

The Introduction should state your hypothesis and explain how it was derived. The section
should also detail how the hypothesis connects to previous research.

If the study does not have a set hypothesis, the Introduction should give the purpose of the
experiment or study. Most scientific technical research is quantitative in nature, and so, the
results are dependent on data collected.

Example
The midway usability testing research for Tocky Talk, a mobile learning application, was
performed to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction of the application
halfway through the development process.

Explanation
The sample Introduction was added to the Introduction in the field report section. Some
research utilizes both elements of field and scientific technical reports, but the sample
above gives the main purpose of the study.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

The Materials and Methods section details how you tested your hypothesis, listing down
the materials and methods that you have used. It should clearly state why you performed
your study in that particular way.

In this section, describe the process of preparation of the sample, specifications of the
instruments used, and the techniques you have employed.

Remember
The Materials and Methods section should be brief, but with enough
detail so that someone else can replicate your process.

Example
To measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction of the Tocky Talk application
halfway through the development process, the researchers employed the System Usability
Scale (Brooke, 1986). SUS is a popular measure of perceived usability, and consists of a
10-item questionnaire with five response options. The questions are:
1. I think that I would like to use the app frequently.
2. I found the app unnecessarily complex.
3. I thought the app was easy to use.
4. I think that I would need the support of a technical person to be able to use this app.
5. I found that the various functions in this app were well integrated.
6. I thought there was too much inconsistency in this app.
7. I would imagine that most people would learn to use this app very quickly.
8. I found the system very cumbersome to use.
9. I felt very confident using the app.
10. I needed to learn a lot of things before I could get going with this app.

The SUS score is then computed using the following guidelines:

1. For odd items: subtract 1 from the user response.
2. For even-numbered items: subtract the user responses from 5

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

3. This scales all values from 0 to 4 (with four being the most positive response).
4. Add up the converted responses for each user and multiply that total by 2.5. This
converts the range of possible values from 0 to 100 instead of from 0 to 40.

Figure 3 shows the range of scores in the System Usability Scale.

Figure 3. System Usability Scale (Bangor, Kortum, Miller 2009).

The average SUS score is 68. If a system scores under 68, then the usability of the
application needs to be reworked. The following is an overview of the SUS scores:
● 80 or higher is equivalent to an A. People love the system tested and will recommend
it to their friends.
● 68–79 is equivalent to a C. The response is lukewarm and will need some
improvements implemented.
● Under 68 counts as a failing mark. The usability needs to be prioritized and fixed.
A survey questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale was developed using the SUS scale.
The survey questionnaire was given to the participants after 10 minutes of unsupervised
use of the application.

Explanation
The sample section detailed the method used for the study, as well as the scale used to
measure the usability of the mobile application. A survey questionnaire was also explained,
with a detailed description of how it was administered to the participants.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Tip
Organize your Materials and Methods section in a way that is easy
to understand. It is imperative that the method you employed can
be replicated.

The Results section presents the processed data or output of your research, and expresses
the data in either a table form, an easy to ready figure or chart, or as percentages or ratios.

Example
The System Usability Scale (SUS) survey was performed with 68 students. The graph below
depicts the responses from the questionnaire.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Remember
You are only presenting the processed data of your research on this
section. Leave the analysis and discussion of your output in the
Discussion section.

The Discussion explores whether or not the data you have collected can support or refute
your hypothesis. It also discusses the implications of your findings and weighs the potential
limits of your research.

Example
The System Usability Scale (SUS) survey was performed with 68 students. After tallying the
scores from the surveys, researchers found that many students chose to “Agree” that the
app effectively improves their communication skills. The overall rating totals to 78.75, with a
median of 80, rating the app as “Good” by participants.

The SUS is, however, not a diagnostic tool and cannot pinpoint the specific features that
need improvement. The high score of 80 nonetheless indicates Tocky Talk’s usability and its
effectiveness in improving the users’ communication skills.

Explanation
The researchers discussed the results of their SUS survey in the two paragraphs above. They
explained how the given data indicates that the results of the research is generally positive,
as shown by the average score of 78.75. They followed this with a discussion on the caveats
that come with the survey method and how these could affect the study.

How can a failed experiment contribute to the

academic study as a whole?

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

The Conclusion, just like in the field report, should sum up the argument of your
experiment and must relate back to your Introduction. It should be brief. You can also
suggest how the study can be improved and what additional experiments can be done in
the future.

Creating an Abstract
Most courses will require you to write an abstract of your research paper. An abstract is an
informative summary of what you did in your research and what you found out.

An abstract usually have the following:

● objectives
● scope of the study
● a brief reference of the theoretical concept (field report)
● a short discussion on the materials and methods of the experiment (scientific
technical report)
● a concise statement of the results or outcome of the study

Remember
If you have an hypothesis, state what it is in the abstract and note
whether it was supported or refuted.

Example
Communication problems in English, particularly among Engineering and Technical
graduates, result in unemployment in a field that has a surplus of unfilled positions in the
Philippines. Initial surveys and focus group discussions show that respondents from the
targeted group share similar communication problems in the following areas: being in
interviews and conducting presentations.

Tocky Talk was developed to address these issues. A software application designed for the
Android mobile phone, Tocky Talk contains lessons and activities that would help the user
improve their performance in job interviews and presentations as well as improve their

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

English grammar and comprehension. A gamification strategy was also implemented to help
motivate users to continue to use the application.

Midway usability and Effectiveness testing showed that Tocky Talk significantly improved the
presentation and interview skills of its users, with the motivational elements of gamification
particularly effective.

Explanation
The sample abstract stated the context of the study that leads to the statement of the
researcher’s aim. In this case, the proposed solution is the developed mobile application. A
brief description of the methodology used, in this case, the gamification strategy as well as
the testings conducted, was also included. The abstract also clearly described the most
important findings of the study: that the mobile application significantly improved the
presentation and interview skills of its users and the motivational elements of gamification
was particularly effective.

Tip
It is best to write the abstract last, as it encapsulates the entire
study in 300 words or less.

Extend

Activity 1
Recall the reports you found on the Explore section. Identify the structure and components
of both reports.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Guide
Review how the two reports are different from each other with regards to what type of
information they convey and how you organize and write them.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Activity 2
Write an abstract for your research.

Guide
Check the concepts of your paper, along with its research aims. Keep your abstract
concise, focusing on the key information findings of your research.

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

Evaluate

A. Answer the following questions as accurately and

precisely as you can.

1. What is a field report?

2. What is a laboratory/scientific technical report?

3. Where should you place nonessential information that nevertheless supports your
analysis?

4. What should be included in the Introductions of both reports?

5. When should a researcher write his or her abstract?

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

B. Carefully think before writing a complete answer for each

question.

1. What is the importance of having a theoretical concept or framework in a field report?

2. In a laboratory/scientific technical report, why is it imperative that someone else can

replicate your methodology?

3. Why is it important to analyze the limitations of your own research?

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

4. How will you handle experimental errors in a laboratory/scientific technical report?

5. Detail the process of writing the Results section for research using a survey
questionnaire on the most popular social media during the community lockdown.

Wrap Up
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● The field report aims to describe the observations of people, places, or events.
Most field reports include the following elements:
I. Introduction
II. Description of Activities
III. Interpretation and Analysis
IV. Conclusion and Recommendations
V. Appendix
VI. References

● A laboratory/scientific technical report is a document that describes the

process, progress, and results of technical or scientific research. It usually includes
the following sections:

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Unit 12.3: Writing a Field Report and Laboratory/Scientific Technical Report

I. Introduction
II. Materials and Methods
III. Results
IV. Discussion
V. Conclusion
VI. References
● An abstract is an informative summary of what you did in your research and what
you found out. It has the following components:
○ objectives
○ scope of the study
○ a brief reference of the theoretical concept (field report)
○ a short discussion on the materials and methods of the experiment (scientific
technical report)
○ a concise statement of the results or outcome of the study
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Bibliography
Blum, Deborah, Mary Knudson, and Robin Marantz Henig. A Field Guide for Science Writers.
New York, USA: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Emerson, Lisa, and J. G. Hampton. Writing Guidelines for Science and Applied Science Students.
Southbank, Vic., Australia: Thomson/Dunmore Press, 2005.

Farnsworth, Bryn. “Qualitative vs Quantitative Research – What Is What?” imotions, June 11,
2019. https://imotions.com/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research/.

Hester, Thomas R., Robert F. Heizer, and John Allen Graham. Field Methods in Archaeology.
Palo Alto, CA, USA: Mayfield Pub. Co., 1975.

Patton, Michael Quinn. “Qualitative Designs and Data Collection.” Essay. In Qualitative
Evaluation and Research Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice, 207–339. London:
Sage Publications, 2014.

Trochim, William M.K. “Research Methods.” Research Methods Knowledge Base. Conjoint.ly,
March 10, 2020. https://conjointly.com/kb/.

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