Biology: How to Write a Lab Report

Biology: How to Write a Lab Report

A laboratory report is a written record of an investigation done in class. Such a report is an integral part of any experiment.

Lab reports should be typed, but may be handwritten only IF they are printed, legible and neatly done. The report should be written using Standard English; spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format will all be graded, as well as the content of the report.

COVER PAGE :

The front page of each report should bear the TITLE of the lab in the CENTER of the page. In the lower right-hand corner, you must list the following:

·  Your (full) name

·  The date the lab was performed

·  Your class period

·  Your instructor's last name

Each of the following sections should be titled as such, in the order that they appear here:

I.  PURPOSE :

The purpose is a brief statement of the goal(s) to be achieved by conducting the experiment. This statement is always given at the beginning of each lab. These will usually be listed on the lab directions.

II.  MATERIALS :

This is simply a list of all materials you need to carry out the lab experiment.

III.  PROCEDURE :

In the lab directions, the procedure is a step-by-step description of the activities to be done in order to gather the information needed to achieve the purpose of the experiment.

IV.  RESULTS :

(Also known as the "Observations and Data" section)

This section is where any drawings, data tables, or graphs should appear. All of your observations, both qualitative and quantitative, must be recorded at the time the observation is made and should be displayed in this section of your write-up. Your conclusions, in the last section of the report, will be based on the information recorded here. Thus, it is vital that this information be complete, well-organized, accurate, and properly labeled.

Some important points regarding RESULTS:

·  In a data-gathering experiment, ALL charts, tables, and graphs should be included in this section.

·  Each of these should be chronologically organized and given a clear, descriptive title. Don't forget to include units and axis labels.

In an observation-based lab investigation (i.e. looking at specimens under the microscope, or when doing a dissection) this section may be subdivided into TWO SUBSECTIONS:

Part A: ANATOMY (all drawings, with labeled parts)

Part B: PHYSIOLOGY (list each labeled part, from your drawings, and define its function)

When drawing items under a microscope:

·  Draw what you see and label what you draw!

·  Drawings should only be done in PENCIL. You can erase pencil and you can better shade parts of your sketch in pencil.

·  All drawings should be to scale (as large as they appear to you)

·  Drawings need not be artistic, but must be NEAT, ACCURATE, and COMPLETE

·  Should be drawn INSIDE of a traced magnification field (circle)

·  The NAME of the specimen should appear centered ABOVE the drawing

·  The TOTAL MAGNIFICATION should appear centered BELOW the drawing

·  Label lines should be ruler-drawn and should extend out of the drawing, horizontally (parallel to bottom of page).

·  labels should be neatly printed and should NOT be written inside of the drawing field

CALCULATIONS :

In many cases, the "raw" data collected during the course of an experiment must be "processed" before valid conclusions can be reached. Processing data may include making mathematical calculations. The results of these calculations then are used as a basis on which to draw conclusions. Be sure to include any formulas or equations you use, as well as the actual math.

* Dissection labs and microscopy labs may NOT involve numerical data collection. In such cases, the calculations section is omitted from the lab report.

V. CONCLUSIONS and QUESTIONS :

Basically, this section is where you answer the question, "was the purpose of this experiment achieved?" In answering this question, you must provide evidence to support your answer. Grading is based on:

1.  Written summary of experimental results (data, graphs, charts, % error, etc.) with conclusions drawn using supporting data from Results section of report.

2.  Address ALL questions posed in the lab manual or handouts.

3.  Tie lab data in with related topics in the textbook, if possible.

4.  Do not write questions in this section, only answers. However, answers should be in complete sentences and make clear what the original question was that is being answered.

Helpful Hints:

·  Variations on these lab sections are unacceptable. Sections MUST appear in consecutive order.

·  Use the same typed FONT and font size throughout the report.

·  Pages should be numbered at center, bottom of each page (except cover page).

·  NEVER use first-person personal pronouns in scientific papers, like "I", "me", "we"... Try this - instead of writing "I added salt to the solution", you should write, " Salt was added to the solution".

·  Use references! If you do, you should attach a REFERENCES page to the back of your report listing, in proper bibliographic format, your lab manual, text, or any other sources you used to complete the lab.

·  You may choose to “copy-and-paste” lab sections from the handouts you were given. If you do this, be sure to make appropriate edits (materials and procedure will sometimes change) and the source must be cited.

·  www.ptbeach.com/.../How%20to%20Write%20a%20Biology%20Lab%20Report.doc· DOC file

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