MRS. STEWARTBIOMEDICAL

CENTRAL MAGNET

How To Write a Lab Report

Note:

1. No student should copy data from anyone

who is not his or her lab partner.

2. You will perform the experiment with your

lab groups, but the lab report that you

turn in must be the individual work of

you and your lab partner.

(Lab reports are subject to all the rules

governing academic honesty.)

Professional Voice

All sections of a lab report are expected to be written in “professional voice”

Professional Voice:3rd personPassive (past tense)

Do not write in 1st person

Required Sections of a Lab Report

Title page (separate)AbstractIntroduction (background)Materials and MethodsData (results)Discussion (conclusion)References (citations)

Title

Title should be a clear and concise explanation of the purpose for performing the experiment

Examples: The effect of age on short term memory The production of antibiotic resistant bacteria through

conjugation and selective pressure Determining patient zero in a meningitis outbreak

Clear, concise title goes here!

Name(s)Medical Interventions

Activity #Date(s) of lab

How the title page should look.

Abstract

The abstract should be a summary of the information contained in the entire lab report

One paragraph

Could stand alone – without the lab report

Write this last!

Writing an Abstract

A well written abstract will contain information on each of the following:

1) Motivation/problem statement: Why do we care about the problem? What practical, scientific, theoretical or artistic gap is your research filling?

2) Methods/procedure/approach: What did you actually do to get your results? (e.g. analyzed 3 novels, completed a series of 5 oil paintings, interviewed 17 students)

3) Results/findings/product: As a result of completing the above procedure, what did you learn/invent/create?

4) Conclusion/implications: What are the larger implications of your findings, especially for the problem/gap identified in step 1?

Introduction (background information)

Longest part of the lab reportShould contain information about:

Why the experiment was performed (purpose of the lab) Summarize current knowledge on the topic Explain the methods that will be used in lab (example:

ELISA tests and how they work or bacterial genetic transfer methods)

Conclude this section with the prediction and hypothesis

DO NOT DISCUSS THIS CLASSROOM IN YOUR LAB REPORT!

Prediction vs. Hypothesis

Prediction Tells what you expect to happen in a lab Example: It is expected that Maria will be patient zero

in the outbreak of bacterial meningitis on this campus.

Hypothesis Specific prediction of what the RESULTS will be to

show whether or not the prediction will be accurate Example: Maria will have the highest concentration of

pathogen in her spinal fluid.

Materials and Methods

Written in paragraph formConcise explanation of procedures, including

all necessary measurements, materials, equations, etc.

Do NOT list the materials used separately. I can make a list of materials by reading this section if

I choose to. Do not write me an ingredients list!

Citations are a must! You did not design these labs so you cannot take credit.

“Level of Detail” is an art in itself….

Consider these two paragraphs…1. On January 5, I obtained four paper cups, 400 g of

potting soil, and 12 radish seeds. I labeled the cups A,B,C,and D and planted three seeds per cup, using a plastic spoon to cover each seed with about one-quarter inch of soil.

2. On January 5, I planted three radish seeds in each of four

individually marked paper cups, covering the seeds withabout one-quarter inch of potting soil.

Which one would you prefer to read? Why?

Essential Details Only

How do you know if a detail is essential?

Ask: “Does this information have influence over my results?”Yes = EssentialNo = Can leave this info out

Data/Results

This is where you include all gathered data

Quantitative data – can be included in a chart, but must also be represented in graph form

Qualitative data – must be represented in a chart

All data (charts or graphs) are required to have a brief, summary statement that explains what information is shown. (Not an interpretation)

Example:

The graph shows the average reaction times for each type of stimulus (cue) provided. Auditory /Visual combination stimulus produced an average reaction time that was shorter than either auditory or visual when applied individually.

Auditory Visual Combination0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Mean Reaction Times vs. Cue

Reaction Cue Provided

Reacti

on T

ime (

in s

econds)

Discussion

Interpret the meaning of the results here! At least one paragraph to explain the results

Reflect on the background section and the purpose of the lab and how the results support, refute or add information presented as background

Suggest sources of possible error (there is always a source of possible error)

Suggest improvements to eliminate errorsSuggest further experiments that could

expand on your work

Conclusion

Finish report with a single sentence that states final summary of report

It should directly relate back to the hypothesis

Citations

You are required to include AT LEAST 3 credible sources in each lab report

PLTW MUST BE CITED You did not design the experiment, so you cannot take

credit for it.

APA styleIn text citations should be provided where

necessary/appropriate