¯
Summarizes the
problem investigated, hypothesis, the methods used, the results and conclusion
in 150-200 words.
¯
Explains to the
reader what your investigation is about. Give the purpose and the problem.
¯
Explain your learning
goals & objectives.
¯
Provide detailed
background information on the subject area and variables (IV & DV) in the
experiment.
¯
State the
hypothesis. Give well-defined research-based reason for making the hypothesis.
¯
Explain the
biological or scientific importance of your experiment.
¯
Cite sources
using in-text citations.
¯
Explain how the
method/procedure used will produce relevant information that is related to the
hypothesis. ****Simply stated explain how experiment design (your control group
& your test groups) should yield appropriate data that supports the
hypothesis made. ****
¯
Provides a
detail, step-by-step account of how the experiment was conducted.
¯
Do not write a
recipe. Put your instructions in paragraph form. And describe what you did
(past tense).
¯
Give enough
details so the reader could duplicate the experiment.
¯
State the control
set-up, the independent and dependent variables used, and patterns of
replication (number of trials).
¯
Include safety
procedures and precautions necessary.
¯
Explain who to
use specific equipment (Use diagrams to help)
¯
Provide any
survey question used, provide pictures/figure to show equipment used. Refer to
the survey or pictures in the detailed procedure.
o
For example:
During the experiment, 5 potted plants, with 5 plants in each tray was used.
(See Figure 1 on p. 3) OR
o
The dimesions for
the 3-D home were 4x4x10. (See figure 1 on p. 2)
¯
Present data in
an organized manner and appropriate format (table, charts, pictures or graph)
¯
Label the axes of
each graph completely.
¯
Give units of
measurement where appropriate
¯
Give a title and
description to ALL tables, pictures, graphs etc, by writing a description
caption for each table, picture, diagram, or figure.
¯
Include a SHORT
paragraph pointing out the important results. BUT DO NOT interpret or explain
the data.
F. DISCUSSION:
min. 3 pages, at least 5 pages to be considered for a (B) double spaced. This is the most important part of the
paper.
¯
What do the
results indicate clearly? What have
you found? Explain what you know
with certainty based on your results and draw conclusions.
¯
Interpret the
results, explain their significance, What ambiguities (things that are unclear
or have multiple meanings) exist? What questions might be raised? Find
logical explanations for problems in the data.
¯
State whether the
hypothesis was supported or proven false. To do this, cross-reference your
results and your prediction from the introduction. Compare expected results with those
obtained. If there were
differences, how can you account for them? Saying "human error"
implies you're incompetent. Be specific; for example, the instruments could not
measure precisely, the sample was not pure or was contaminated, or calculated
values did not take account of friction.
¯
Cite specific
results the support your conclusions. Give the reasoning for your conclusions
¯
Demonstrate that
you understand the biological or scientific meaning of your results by writing
and explanation as to why these things happened in the experiment. Then explain
what this means for the body, research, or other areas of science or
healthcare.
¯
Analyze
experimental error. Was it
avoidable? Was it a result of equipment? If an experiment was within the
tolerances, you can still account for the difference from the ideal. If the
flaws result from the experimental design explain how the design might be
improved.
¯
Compare the
results with your predictions and explain any unexpected results.
¯
Compare the
results with other research or information available to you; be sure to cite
the other project.
¯
Discuss any
weaknesses in your experimental design or problems with the execution of the
experiment.
¯
Discuss how you
might extend or improve your experiment.
¯
Conclusion can be
stated in three sections of your report, the introduction, discussion and the
conclusion.
¯
Restate and
rephrase your conclusions. Try not to use the same sentences from the previous
sections.
¯
Restate the
important results.
¯
Displays all
figures, charts, graphs, or pictures. Each entry has a title, description and a
number.
¯
Statistical
Analysis: the entire mathematical portions of your project are shown here.
¯
Graphs and tables
should reappear in this section.
¯
Make sure reader
knows where in lab report to find pictures if you place them in the appendix
section. Entries are in the order they appear in the report.
¯
Acknowledgements
(donÕt thank parents and teachers, unless they served as your mentor)
¯
Use proper
citation form (APA)
¯
Use appropriate
citation rules for quotes and paraphrasing.
¯
ABSOULTELY NO
PILGRISM.