How To Write a Lab Report

1. How To Write a Lab Report Mrs. Stewart Biomedical Central Magnet

2. 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.)

3. Professional Voice • All sections of a lab report are expected to be written in “professional voice” • Professional Voice: • 3rd person • Passive (past tense) • Do not write in 1st person

4. Required Sections of a Lab Report Title page (separate) Abstract Introduction (background) Materials and Methods Data (results) Discussion (conclusion) References (citations)

5. 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

6. How the title page should look. Clear, concise title goes here! Name(s) Medical Interventions Activity # Date(s) of lab

7. 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!

8. 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?

9. Introduction (background information) • Longest part of the lab report • Should 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!

10. 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.

11. Materials and Methods • Written in paragraph form • Concise 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.

12. “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 with about one-quarter inch of potting soil. Which one would you prefer to read? Why?

13. Essential Details Only • How do you know if a detail is essential? • Ask: “Does this information have influence over my results?” • Yes = Essential • No = Can leave this info out

14. 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)

15. 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.

16. 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 errors • Suggest further experiments that could expand on your work

17. Conclusion Finish report with a single sentence that states final summary of report It should directly relate back to the hypothesis

18. 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 style • In text citations should be provided where necessary/appropriate