Hypothesis- a Tentative Explanation for a Scientific Problem -If Then Because Statement

Name: ______Class 6L _____

Lab Worksheet Format

Please follow the format below when asked to write up a lab report for any experiment we perform in class.

Title-

Question(Problem)- something that is testable- when the problem is not given but a task or objects are given, examine the task or objects and ask yourself, “What do we know about the materials and what do we want to know?” Identify the problem, and then, make an inference.

Hypothesis- a tentative explanation for a scientific problem -If… then… because…..statement

Observations/Inferences- (Both Qualitative and Quantitative Observations)

Variables:

Independent Variable-

Dependent Variable-

Constants-

Introduction (Abstract)- (also known as your summary) Background information of your topic- a description of how the experiment will be performed and the purpose of the activity. Before describing the experiment, you will:

1. Identify what you know about the problem.
2. Think of ways to solve the problem.
3. Research the topic. You can use your textbook or any source you would like- magazine articles, internet, books, etc. Make sure you cite the information properly. DO NOT rewrite someone else’s exact words because this is called PLAGIARISM. You must put the words you are using that are not your own in quotation marks or paraphrase them in your own words.

Materials- a list of tools or items you need to perform the experiment. Include diagrams and /or pictures labeled neatly of the items you used.

Procedure- Perform the Experiment- a step-by-step explanation of what you are doing, as if you are writing a recipe from a cookbook. Discuss the steps in detail as if someone else was to conduct this experiment as well. Remember to :

1. Be sure to break your procedure into short, easy-to-follow steps. Make sure they are numbered and in chronological order.
2. Start with a verb, or action word.
3. Write your procedure so it is clear enough for someone else to use as instructions for repeating your experiment.

Results: Include a data table to record your observations. Make sure you include a title and units for your chart. Independent variable is on the left hand column and the dependent variables are on the right hand columns. Keep them neat and organized. Make sure you are performing three trials for your investigation and you are recording it on your data table including the average in the last column. Also, include a detailed description and summary of the data you have come up with and explain what this data represents and why. Also include a graph (bar or line, depending on your type of observations) displaying your results using all the rules for graphing discussed in class. Make sure it is neat, organized, and colorful and you include an index card answering the three questions in which you are required to do when constructing graphs. Your graph must completely follow your data table and explanation of results.

Conclusion- Briefly summarize your results. Address whether the results solved the problem and supported the hypothesis. State if your understanding of the problem has changed and if so how did it change. If you had to redo the experiment what would you do differently and why.

Sources Cited Page- List the names of the sources you used and the pages for each. (Please refer to the sources cited hand out given out in class.)

List and Define the terms and key concepts explored in the experiment.