Lab ReportsLab Reports

BiologyBiology

The First Section of the Lab- Introduction

• All Group Member’s Names– First & Last names of all group members

should be in the top, right corner• Date

– Also in the top left corner• Title

– Appropriate title on the top center line.

The First Section of the Lab- Introduction (continued)

• Research Question– Why are we doing this lab? What is the

question that we are trying to answer?• Hypothesis

– This is YOUR predicted ANSWER to the question that is being investigated in this lab.

The First Section of the Lab- Variable Table

• This table must include all variables of interest and their status.

• All variables must be labeled as (I/D/C) Independent (I change it), dependent (measured) or controlled (kept constant)

Name I/D/C Symbol Units DescriptionMolarity I M mol/L Concentration of sucrose in

the solutionMass D m g The change in weight of the

dialysis bagsTemperature C - ÞC Keep temp the same in allTime C - s Soak for same timeMovement C - - Don’t shake or move the

beakers around

Apparatus DrawingThis should be a neat drawing that clearly illustrates all equipment and how each variable was measured

It is not necessary to be an artist, just do your best and label well :)

The First Section of the Lab- Apparatus

The Second Section of the Lab - Procedure

1. The procedure is the step-by-step process you go through to complete the lab.

2. This should be what you ACTUALLY DID as opposed to what the directions said.

3. You may be brief, but you should also be thorough - don’t skip important steps!

The Second Section of the Lab- Data

• If at all possible you should include a table that contains your data.

• You should also include any descriptive data in this section. – For example: my sample started out clear

and then turned orange after it was heated for 10 seconds.

The Second Section of the Lab - Sample Data TableMolarity(mol/L)

Mass change(g)

.2 5.1

.4 6.4

.6 7.2

.8 8.3

The Third Section - Analysis• This is the section where you should do

any calculations that are necessary in your laboratory.

• A GRAPH should be included in this section if it is at all possible.

• Any questions that are given with this laboratory should be answered here.

The Third SectionExample Graph

pH vs. Tube Number

012345678

0 1 2 3 4 5Time (Hrs)

pH

In the Third Section - Conclusion• PART 1 - CLAIM: Make a claim that answers

your research question. Claims should be concise (1-2 sentences) and specific.

• PART 2 - WHY THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS YOUR CLAIM: Here you explain how your data supports the claim you made. Make sure that your claim is logically based on your evidence.

• Part 3 – “What is going on here?” Clearly explain your reasoning for making the claim that you did. How does this make sense?

• Explain your thinking here!

RecapFIRST SECTION

Title, Name(s), Date(s)Research Question, HypothesisVariable Table, Apparatus

SECOND SECTIONProcedureData and Observations

THIRD SECTIONAnalysisConclusion