Title: Descriptive & Concise



Title

Write a descriptive title. Anyone who reads your title should be able to tell what your experiment is about. This can be as simple as your research question, or a more descriptive title.

Background/Introduction

Brief historical explanation of investigation.

• Why are you conducting this investigation? What previous observations have you made in relation to the investigation?

• Is there any specific scientific information (research) your reader needs before reading your report?

• What is the biology behind your investigation?

• What is the purpose of your investigation? What information might your investigation produce? (Include the AIM of your investigation)

Question

Must be focused and complete. BE SPECIFIC! You should include both your independent and dependent variables as part of your question.

Variables

Chart or List

• Independent: what you will change/manipulate

• Dependent: variable that will change based on independent variable (what you are measuring)

• Controlled: all variables that you will hold constant for all test runs (3-4 minimum for most reports)

Hypothesis/Predictions

• Write a statement that says what you are testing and what you expect the outcome to be

• Include scientific reasoning behind WHY you think that outcome will occur.

Example: Higher light intensity will increase plant growth because light is the source of energy for photosynthetic reactions.

Materials

List all appropriate materials used with investigation

Method

Specific method that outlines how you will effectively control/measure all variables and collect sufficient data for meaningful processing.

1. Should be repeatable!

a. Explain how you monitored your controlled variables

b. Be specific – don’t generalize

c. Include all steps

2. 5 x 5

a. Five calibrations for independent variable with 5 repetitions for each calibration [e.g. Using a (C thermometer (+/- 1(C), data will be collected for enzyme activity at the following temperatures: 0(C; 10(C; 20(C; 30(C; 40(C]

3. Photographs & Diagrams

a. Not required, but if done well can save a lot of written description

b. Annotated to illustrate protocol and/or how variables are controlled

c. Show how control groups differ from experimental groups

d. Demonstrate how equilibration of equipment is included in experiment

RESULTS: RESULTS INCLUDE BOTH YOUR RAW DATA AND PROCESSED DATA. YOU MAY INCLUDE THIS AS A LARGER SECTION TITLE PRIOR TO RAW DATA.

Raw Data & Observations

All raw data included in table

• Descriptive title with units & level of accuracy [(C (+/- 1(C)]

• Include all appropriate quantitative and qualitative raw data

• All columns and rows labeled appropriately

• Don’t split tables between pages

• Can include averages (means)

Processed Data

Demonstrate that the raw data is processed appropriately

1. Overview: Short paragraph that provides an overview of how and why you decided to process your data.

2. Sample Calculations: Neatly lie out and explain one example of each type of manipulation that was done to the raw data to help make it more useful for interpretation. (Ex: St. Deviation)

3. Data Graph or Chart(s): Graphs and/or data table

• Processed data presented in such a way (typically a graph) such that it helps to illustrate your conclusions.

• Clarity of processed data is important

• Make sure you include an appropriate, and descriptive title

o [E.g. Graph 1. Effect of temperature ((C) on activity of catalase enzyme (+/- 1(C)]

• Label both axis including units

o Independent on horizontal (x) axis

o Dependent on vertical (y) axis

• Include error analysis (range) and uncertainties if appropriate (+/- 1(C)

Conclusion

Narrative section used to interpret the data. In addition to any questions provided on lab handouts, be sure to include the following:

• State a conclusion as it relates to your central question and hypothesis (Ex: Data rejects or confirms hypothesis…)

• Discuss your conclusion (start with an overview and then discuss specifics) including justifications based on reasonable interpretation of data (i.e. include specific evidence/numbers)

• Relate discussion to graph(s) to support your conclusion

• Don’t use the word prove(s); you are interpreting the data, you are not proving anything. You may use the word “suggest”.

• Discuss any statistical analysis and error bars if appropriate

• Discuss any biological/chemical/physical explanations to data and conclusions

• Discuss any future related experiments that can be done as suggested by your data

• Don’t assume the reader has any prior knowledge

Evaluation

Narrative section used to evaluate your experimental design. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the strength and sufficiency of your data and the way it was collected.

• Discuss limitations of experimental design: How well did your design help answer your central question?

• What worked well and why

• What did not work well and why

• Discuss outliers if appropriate

• Discuss suggestions for how the investigation can be improved (minimum of 3-4 improvements)

• Reference the limitations of experimental design that you identified above when discussing suggestions for improvement

• Suggestions should be realistic and useful

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

smallest measurement increment on equipment

These should be errors/qualities related to your experimental design. Human error(s) are not the same thing as procedural errors.

ALL SECTIONS IN BOLD MUST BE INCLUDED FOR A COMPLETE LAB REPORT. REPORTS WITHOUT THESE SECTIONS WILL BE HANDED BACK UNGRADED!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download