How to Write a Lab Report (Earth Science)
How To Write A Lab Report (Earth Science)
Title
o The title should be informative and should relate the independent and dependent variables. Therefore, it must be more than “Lab Report”.
Introduction
o Objectives
▪ State the specific question that you are trying to answer in your lab investigation, this is your problem statement. The independent and dependent variables should be clearly and correctly present in this statement.
o Background Information
▪ Briefly describe the social/technological problem being addressed by conducting the laboratory investigation.
▪ Provide relevant definitions of vocabulary or concepts related to the investigation.
▪ Make connections between the laboratory investigation and topics currently being studied or subjects discussed in previous or different classes.
o Variables and Constants:
▪ Clearly identifies both the independent and dependent variables.
▪ List at least three constants of the experiment (the factors you will not change).
▪ Describe the control, if applicable.
o Hypothesis:
▪ When applicable, describe the effect you expect the independent variable to have on the dependent variable.
▪ Explain why you believe that this relationship exists using prior science knowledge or personal experience.
Experiment
o Procedure: In your own words and complete sentences, provide a list of detailed steps taken to carry out the experiment.
▪ Make sure steps are detailed enough that the experiment can be duplicated from what is written. Be as specific as possible!!
▪ DO NOT include gather materials, clean up, or any inquiry processes, such as select a variable, design the experiment, calculate values, draw conclusions, and write a report.
▪ Make a detailed list of the materials, including the amount of each material used in the experiment.
Data
o Observations: Include a descriptive paragraph of relevant information you gathered during the lab investigation with your five senses. Avoid personal words.
o Data: Quantitative data collected during your experiment should be presented in a neat and organized table. Do not include any calculated data, i.e. averages, this will be presented in a separate section.
▪ Data Table must include titles, labels and appropriate units!
▪ Report all data you collected, even if you think you made a mistake. Include it anyway!
Analysis of Results
o Calculated Data Table: All computed values, including but not limited to averages, should be presented in a neat and organized table.
▪ Data Table must include titles, labels and appropriate units!
o Sample Calculations: For each computed value in your table you must include a sample calculation. The percent error or estimate of precision must be included, where applicable.
o Graph: Data must be presented visually in an appropriate graph that is neat and follows the graphing rules discussed in class.
▪ Your graph must include a best fit line, trend line.
▪ You have one sentence identifying the trend of your graph as a direct, inverse or no relationship.
Discussion
o Conclusion Statement: (CER Statement)
▪ Claim: Write a claim that is based on evidence, clearly stated, answers the question completely and includes all relevant variables, without extra information (such as evidence)
▪ Evidence: Support the claim with relevant evidence that is quantitative and qualitative, clearly stated using complete sentences, thoroughly demonstrating the trend or comparison, referring to the table and graph
▪ Reasoning: Thoroughly and accurately explains why the evidence supports the claim in a complete statement, explains how the data supports or refutes the underlying science concepts, consistently uses content-specific vocabulary
o Evaluate Your Experiment:
▪ Validity: State whether or not you think your experiment was valid by answering the question: Are you confident that the independent variable did in fact cause the change seen in the dependent variable?
● If you think it was valid:
o Explain why by showing how you conducted a “fair” experiment by selecting two constants and discussing why its important they remained the same by explaining what specifically would have happen if you changed these constants.
● If you think it was invalid:
o Discuss missing constants.
o Discuss constants that you had difficulty keeping the same.
o Discuss the effect these missing or changed constants had on your results.
▪ Reliability: State whether or not you think your experiment is reliable by looking at the variation in the data from trial to trial.
● Calculate the range in the trials and use this to support your ideas.
▪ Sources of Error: Identify at least two sources of error in YOUR experiment and discuss the possible effects these errors could have had on your results.
● DO NOT say that your lab procedure was perfect!
● Human error, blaming your lab partner, and the equipment was broken are NOT ACCEPTABLE sources of error.
● Messy lab technique, such as “not reading the ruler correctly” or “I may have made a mistake when measuring”, is NOT AN ACCEPTABLE source of error.
▪ Improvements: Identify at least two improvements to your experiment or future experiments that can better answer the posed problem using the resources available (not a new problem!).
Summary
o Conclusion Statement: Write one or two sentences summarizing the major finding of the investigation.
o Real World Connection: Identify how the results of this experiment are connected to the topics discussed in class and/or your research.
Overall Product
o Organization/Focus: Your lab should be organized and focused in the above order and labeled with section headings.
o Grammar & Spelling: Use complete sentences and proper punctuation, spelling, and scientific terminology.
o Tense: Your report should be written in 3rd person, avoid using personal pronouns.
o Works Cited: Properly reference any sources used to write your background section of the report in either APA or MLA format.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is strictly forbidden. Collaboration is encouraged, but any lab reports with “word-for-word” copied purpose, procedures, results, discussion, or conclusions will result in a significant loss of points.