ABSTRACT: A succinct abstract summarizes the purpose of the experiment. The abstract should allow a reader to understand what you did, why you did it and what you found out in three to five succinct sentences.

Detailed Title

Last Name, First Name: ROLE

Group member last name, first name: ROLE

Group member last name, first name: ROLE

Group member last name, first name: ROLE

Date

I. Background

The Background is the research portion of the lab. An effective Background section should hook the reader, while giving scientific information. The Background should be no less than three paragraphs with research sources referenced throughout. Include a CRAAP test worksheet for internet sources.

  • Provide facts you have learned or background information the audience might need to understand the report.
  • Explain the purpose of this lab.
  • Explain the relationship between this lab and modern industry applications/society’s needs.

II. Hypothesis and Predictions

  • A hypothesis is a one sentence testable and falsifiablestatement that could, theoretically, be proven false by the results of this or another experiment. It is sufficiently generic (non-specific) so that several experiments can be designed to test it in multiple ways. It is based on background knowledge andaccurate research. It explains HOW a certain phenomenon is possible.
  • The prediction can be one to three numerically specificsentences of values you believe will prove the hypothesis correct. These sentences are based on background knowledge and accurate research. It is extremely specific, down to expected numbers, graph shapes, and rates you calculated. The more specific the prediction, the more powerful support for (or against) the hypothesis.

III. Procedure

The Procedure section includes a short equipment list, “recipe-style” instructions for achieving the lab’s outcomes, and diagrams of apparatus used. Strong “recipe-style” instructions means that a student in another class that knows as much as you do about the backgroundresearch behind this experiment can replicate your experiment just by reading your report; as an at-home cook could replicate a recipe.

IV. Data and Calculations

The Data and Calculations section is where you record measurements and observations from your experiment. It is broken into two parts:

1)Data:

a)At least one clearly organized and correctly labeleddata table with all data gathered during experimentation.

b)At least one clearly labeled and titled graph showing the relationship between the depended and independent variables in the experiment. The independent variable is “manipulated” by you and goes in the horizontal axis of a graph; the dependent variable, thevariable “responding” to your manipulated variable, in your experiment and goes on the vertical axis of a graph. If you have more than one graph on one set of axes, include a legend and color or pattern code your lines.

c)(Optional) If you want to include raw data, place it at after the Works Citedpageby creating an Appendix section.

2)Calculations showing all work, formulas, and using proper notation.

(Incorrect) improper notation: chi^2, delta y, H0, a^2

(Correct) proper notation: χ2, y, H0,a2

V. Analysis

The analysis is impartial and is simply a 1-2 paragraph explanation of what happened and whether the actual data matches the theoretical values/conditions that you gave in the prediction.When you talk about particular data or equations, you need to reference them within the text.

Next determinehow closethe data matched theoretical values using a percent error ora percent difference calculation (depending on your particular experiment):

  • Percent Error - Use this formulaif you are comparing your result to a value widely accepted by the scientific community:
  • Percent Difference - Use this formula if you need to compare your result to another experimenter’s result that has not been widely accepted by the scientific community:

V. Conclusion

The conclusion is your interpretation of the results. Explain how your proven prediction supports your hypothesis OR how your unproven prediction undermines your hypothesis. The conclusion should include an explanation of your reasoning as to whyyour experiment succeeded or did not succeed.

  • Explain the specific sources of error in your experiment (‘human error’ is not specific…what error did the human make?)
  • If your prediction was proved, what alternative explanations could have led to the same results? Be honest and think hard.

VI. Extension

The Extension section is one paragraph in which you further explore how you can make this experiment “air-tight” by suggesting improvements to how the experiment is currently performed (specific equipment that can be used for a new design, considering variables not discussed in this lab that can affect outcomes, etc…). Feel free to apply a nerd-status attention to detail, so long as your suggestions are supplemented with reasons, supported by quality research sources, as well as exact equipment needed for improvements you suggest.

VII. Lab Questions

Answer lab questions if any in QA format.

Works Cited

This page should be MLA formatted with at least five, alphabetically listed references.

  1. Source
  2. Source
  3. Source
  4. Source
  5. Source

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