FORMAT GUIDE FOR ME 3057 REPORTS

J. Donnell

August, 2014

FORMAT FOR DISPLAYS IN ME 3057 REPORTS

Describing a Display
Figure and table descriptions are to be presented on the same page with the displays. These
descriptions should include the following chunks of information:
1)
2)
3)
4)

A descriptive / explanatory title

The methods / apparatus by which the information was obtained and / or manipulated
Citation / definition of units, markers, annotations. (Some people call this the legend)
Discussion of errors / irregularities in the results:
Do plotted values show the expected trends?
Are there errors in calculated values?
Are there errors in measurement data?
5) Identification of panels (for multiview displays only)
6) A takeaway point (or other substantive explanation)

FORMAT FOR DISPLAYS IN ME 3057 REPORTS

Plots
Figure 1 plots the heat capacity data for [materials X and Y], showing that both materials
behave according to the model. Data was collected using [designation of apparatus] and [this
heating and cooling procedure]; heat capacity values were obtained by inserting the measured
values into Equation 1. The square markers represent [the first material], the diamond markers
represent [the second material]. The smooth line represents a model developed according to
[this equation].

Discrepancies from expectations include [these points or trends].

These

discrepancies arise from [explanation of possible causes]. These discrepancies demonstrate

[substantive conclusion regarding the system]. This result demonstrates that [insert takeaway
point here].

Heat Capacity (J/kg-K)

2400

2300

2200

2100

2000
5.0

15.0
Data J/kg-K

25.0

35.0
45.0
Temperature (C)
Data set 2

55.0

65.0

Model J/kg-K

Figure 1. Variation of heat capacity with temperature for materials X and Y

------------------

Plot Format: A plot is formatted to display information accurately.

The plot is largethe x axis is roughly 4 inchesand it is centered on the line

Axes are labeled, with units clearly shown
Markers represent measured data points
Straight lines are used to connect markers ONLY when multiple data sets are displayed
Smooth lines represent calculated lines, such as models or trendlines

FORMAT FOR DISPLAYS IN ME 3057 REPORTS

A legend is displayed below the plot

Critical data points may be highlighted, circled or labeled
Explanatory equations can be displayed beside models or trendlines
Text and number fonts in plots should be roughly 12 point in the submitted reports.
Plots should be centered left to right on the page
Plots should be displayed below their text citation and description, as in the example on the
previous page
Blank spaces should be minimized above and below plots
Borders that highlight the displays bounding box should be avoided
Grids should be minimized in plots
Axes should be scaled to frame data tightly
A figure number and short descriptive caption are placed below the plot, centered and bold

Text descriptions of plots should account for the features of the display. Additionally, a
figure description should indicate the source of the plotted values, and it should explain the
calculations that underpin analytically obtained values. Your measurements and calculated
values should always be accessible in your records or data tables; it is a good practice for you to
cite these records when you perform operations using the values they contain.

FORMAT FOR DISPLAYS IN ME 3057 REPORTS

Tables
Table 1 presents calculated values of mean and standard deviation for the width
measurements of the 10mm and 15mm gage blocks, as measured by each of the three
instruments. The actual measured values are available in Table A-1. The values for the mean
width were obtained by applying Equation 1 to the measured values [equation and definitions
are omitted in this example]. Using the values for mean obtained with Equation 1, the values for
standard deviation were obtained by using Equation 2 [equation and definitions are omitted in
this example].
Table 1. Mean and Standard Deviation data for width measurements of the gage blocks

0.001" Calipers
0.001" Micrometer
0.0001" Micrometer

10mm Gage Block

15mm Gage Block
Mean (in) Std. Deviation (in) Mean (in) Std. Deviation (in)
0.3947
0.0017
0.5904
0.0020
0.3925
0.0044
0.5900
0.0014
0.3925
0.0046
0.5906
0.0020

-----------------------Table Format: A table is formatted to display information accurately and accessibly.

Accuracy:
A table number and descriptive caption are placed above the table, centered and bolded
Columns and rows have descriptive headings. These are bolded
Units should be displayed in column and row heads (as appropriate)
Table entries should be aligned on the decimal point
Table entries display an appropriate number of significant figures
Note: Significant figures are limited by the resolution of your instruments. If your instruments
have a resolution of 0.1 units, we will question a display that shows 3, 4 or more decimal places.
Accessibility
Tables in ME 3057 reports should use 12-point type
Tables should be centered left to right
Tables should be displayed below the text citation and description. It is acceptable to place a
table at the end of the paragraph that cites and describes it.
Data Tables and Results Tables
Table 1 is a Results Table; it presents the values that the students have obtained through
analysis of their data. Results tables usually have a small number of rows and columns, as they
isolate a particular calculation and a particular set of measurements. Results tables call for
substantial text discussion: after describing the table, students are expected to explain how the
calculated values were obtained. They should particularly specify what equations were used and

FORMAT FOR DISPLAYS IN ME 3057 REPORTS

what values were used as input for the calculation; they should also comment on and explain any
unexpected or irregular values they may have obtained.
Table 2 is a Data Table; it presents a complete set of measurements. In ME 3057 these are
often cited in the body of a report, but they are usually attached at the end of the report. Data
tables are often long. Students are not expected to explain data tables at length. They are
expected, however, to comment on data values that are irregular, unusual or otherwise
unexpected.
Table 1 Width data of the 10mm gage block using three different instruments
0.001" Micrometer
(in.)
0.394
0.393
0.395
0.394
0.392
0.394
0.394
0.371
0.394
0.394
0.393
0.394
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.393
0.394
0.391
0.393
0.393
0.934

0.0001" Micrometer
(in.)
0.3937
0.3939
0.3830
0.3936
0.3920
0.3937
0.3935
0.3729
0.3946
0.3943
0.3932
0.3934
0.3934
0.3932
0.3934
0.3931
0.3935
0.3931
0.3932
0.3934
0.3934
0.3934
0.3936
0.3984
0.3930
0.3945
0.9337

0.001" Caliper
(in.)
0.394
0.395
0.394
0.397
0.395
0.395
0.395
0.397
0.394
0.394
0.395
0.395
0.395
0.392
0.395
0.391
0.391
0.395
0.396
0.395
0.396
0.396
0.395
0.395
0.394
0.394
0.939

FORMAT FOR DISPLAYS IN ME 3057 REPORTS

Equations
Table 1 presents calculated values of mean and standard deviation for the width
measurements of the 10mm and 15mm gage blocks, as measured by each of the three
instruments. The actual measured values for 10 mm and 15 mm gage blocks are displayed in
Tables A-1 and A-2, and these are not reproduced here. The values for the mean width were
obtained by processing the measurements using Equation 1
=
where

(1)

is the mean of all the measured data for each instrument, xi represents the individual

thickness measurements, and N is the total number of measurements taken using each
instrument.
----------------Equation format: An equation display should be accurate, easy to read, and easy to index.
Accurate:
The function of the equation is stated in the citation
The variables are defined in the first statement following the display
The sources of input values are clearly defined
Easy to read:
The symbolic display is centered on an empty line
It is prepared using the Microsoft Equation editor, MathType, or another similar equation tool
Easy to index:
An equation number is displayed flush right on the same line as the equation
The equation is cited by number in the running text above the equation

FORMAT FOR TEXT IN ME 3057 REPORTS

Format for Abstracts in ME 3057 reports

Here is a generic Abstract for ME 3057:

Abstract
In the Abstract, briefly present the Background for the project, the Methods by which data
was acquired, the numerical Results that were obtained and the Conclusions that can be drawn
from this work.

That information can be broken out as follows: Background information

explains the need (motivation) for the work and describes previous related work. The project
goal can be stated here. Methods information explains the instruments that were used and the
procedures that were used to collect and analyze data. Results information defines the crucial
measured and / or analytical (calculated) values that were obtained. Conclusion statements
define the significance of the work (the takeaway point).

Page margins set to 1.0 inches on top, bottom, left and right
Times New Roman typeface, 12 point size
Full justification
1.5 line spacing
A boldface headingAbstractprecedes the text. It is left-aligned
Indent 0.25 inches

An Abstract is to be presented as a single paragraph

Do not cite or display figures, tables or equations in Abstracts for ME 3057.
------------------------------

FORMAT FOR TEXT IN ME 3057 REPORTS

Page Format for ME 3057 reports (non-Abstract pages)

Page margins set to 1.0 inches on top, bottom, left and right
Times New Roman typeface, 12 point size
Full justification
1.5 spacing
Indent paragraphs 0.25 inches
Page numbers placed at bottom center

------------------Headings and Titles

Report Title:

Times New Roman, 16 point, Bold, Centered

Section Heading:

Times New Roman, 12 point, Bold, Left Aligned

Secondary Heading:

Times New Roman, 12 point, Italic, Left Aligned

Headings need not be numbered!

--------------Avoid Blank Lines
Editing programs automatically insert space above and below headings and paragraphs in order
to make pages look tidy. This means you almost never need to press Enter more than once:

Equation editors automatically adjust vertical space as expressions grow large

Most plots have bounding boxes with significant blank space above and below the
display
Headings and paragraphs have pre-set trailing and leading spaces
Exceptions:
To keep a table distinct from the surrounding text, you will occasionally need to insert an
extra trailing or leading space.
Occasionally a plot will wrap to a subsequent page, leaving a large blank space at the
bottom of a page. Leave these alone; we will comment but not deduct points.