LAB WRITINGBiology 11 – Mr. Penton

LAB WRITING

CHAPTER 1 – Page 7-11

SAFETY IN LABS CHAPTER 1 – Page 18-19

HOW TO USE THE MICROSCOPE

APPENDIX C – the back of your text book!

LAB RUBRIC

EXCELENT - 4 marks GOOD – 3 marks ADEQUATE – 2 marks NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 1 mark NOT ATTEMPTED – 0 MARKS

LAB RUBRIC: INTRODUCTION

Includes the question to be answered by the lab

States hypothesis that is based on sound reasoning

Title is relevant

LAB RUBRIC: METHODS

Description or step-by-step process is included, could be repeated by another scientist

LAB RUBRIC: DATA & ANALYSIS Results and data are clearly recorded,

organized so it is easy for the reader to see trends. All appropriate labels are included

LAB RUBRIC: CONCLUSIONS

1. Summarizes data used to draw conclusions 2. Conclusions follow data (not wild guesses or leaps of logic), 3. Discusses applications or real world connections

4. Hypothesis is rejected or accepted based on the data.

LAB RUBRIC: FORMAT AND LAB PROTOCOL

Lab report submitted as directed, and on time. Directions were followed, stations were cleaned. All safety protocols followed.

LAB WRITING

**While writing a lab, you must use the third person (no I, me, you, we, our, etc).**

LAB WRITING

Before you begin writing up your lab identify the Independent Variable (IV) and the Dependent Variable (DV).

(IV = what is being changed/tested)

(DV = what is being measured)

CONTROL VARIABLE

those factors that need to be held the same in each trial to ensure a fair test

LAB FORMAT: PROBLEM or PURPOSE Problem Write a question the experiment will

answer (include a question mark). Include IV and DV

Purpose what you are trying to figure out To determine… to find out…

INTRODUCTION

Write a paragraph of background information obtained from research.

HYPOTHESIS Pick a specific IV and DV Sentence #1: Write a statement about what is expected to

happen in the experiment. (Follow format below)

If ____________IV_________________ then _____________DV______________.

(IV – what is being changed/tested) (DV – what is being measured)

 Sentence #2:Explain why this will happen based on common knowledge and/or previous research from the introduction. This will happen because…

METHODS

Materials: Make a list of ALL items used in the lab.

Alternatively, materials can be included as part of the procedure.

Procedure: Write a paragraph (complete sentences)

which explains what you did in the lab as a short summary.Add details (step-by-step) of your procedure in such a way that anyone else could repeat the experiment.

RESULTS:DATA

This section should include any data tables, observations, or additional notes you make during the lab.

You may attach a separate sheet(s) if necessary.

All tables, graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately.

DATA TABLE:

CHARTS

Title Chart & AxisIV on x-axisDV on y-axisUse appropriate chart (line or bar) depending on your IV and DV

CONCLUSIONS Accept or reject your hypothesis.

* EXPLAIN why you accepted or rejected your hypothesis using data from the lab.

Include a summary of the data - averages, highest, lowest..etc to help the reader understand your results. Try not to copy your data here, you should summarize and reference KEY information.

List one thing you learned and describe how it applies to a real-life situation.

Discuss possible errors that could have occurred in the collection of the data (experimental errors)

Things to avoid

Having a hypothesis, procedure, and conclusion about different things. These 3 parts should be consistent

Not recording data: if in doubt – record it. You should not include those values that are outliers.

Taking too small a number of samples or trials. The more, the better

Recording data that did not occur Beginning to work on the lab procedure and data

table or the write-up the day before it is due Do not copy your group members write-up. That is

considered plagiarism. You may use the same data but in your own table.

YOUR RADISH LAB

Apply the scientific method Must have one graph or chart

included Scored with the LAB RUBRIC DUE: TUESDAY AUGUST 7

Note that:

Typed or word processed reports are encouraged and may be requested.

Your lab must be written in dark ink (not red ink), diagrams, and graphs must be done in pencil.

You must use a ruler to underline all headings, and for drawing graphs or charts.

You must be as neat and tidy with your lab write-up as possible.

You must write using full sentences. Answers which are not in complete sentences may be marked incorrect!

Do not copy – copied work and the work from which it is copied WILL receive a mark of zero!