Student Information
Become a Consultant
Faculty Information
Related Writing Links
|
|
 FORMAL BIOLOGY LAB EPORTS 
In writing laboratory reports, follow the outline below, making sure to write reports in a concise, yet complete and clear manner.
Important Notes:
- Be sure to use the third person, past tense, passive voice, and proper grammar.
e.g. - On January 5, three radish seeds were planted in each of four individually marked paper cups. The seeds were covered with about one-quarter inch of potting soil.
- Don't use acronyms until you have first named the substance or technique and cited its acronym.
e.g. - Potassium acid phthalate (KHP)
- Professors may use alternate names for the following section headings listed below; simply substitute with the professor's preferred heading.
THE REPORT
Title: Identify the title of the experiment as given at the top of the cover page of the laboratory procedure packet for that experiment.
Introduction: Describe why the study was undertaken. Briefly summarize (usually in one or two paragraphs) relevant background information leading to a specific statement about the problem being investigated.
Materials & Methods: Thoroughly describe the procedure for the experiment so the report serves as a set of future instructions for any repetitions. List all materials used.
e.g. - Methods:
- On January 5, three radish seeds were planted in each of four individually marked paper cups. The seeds were covered with about one-quarter inch of potting soil.
- To avoid prejudicing the results by distributing food according to size of caterpillar, the three different diets were distributed to the caterpillars in a random fashion as described by Shannabruch (1992).
e.g. - Materials:
species of caterpillar used
size and age of caterpillars
diets used
amount of food provided per caterpillar
time of year
time of day
air temperature in room . . .
Results: List data, major findings, and computed results in a simple, concise, yet very clear form (usually presented in tables and graphs: see examples below).
******* DO NOT INTERPRET THE DATA HERE: SIMPLY PRESNT FINDINGS *******
- Calculations - Submit only one set of detailed mathematical manipulations of each type. There is no need to show every single calculation -- all other values appear in data tables.
- Data Tables - List calculated values in their appropriate format as below
- Table 1. Summary of Raw Data
Diet |
Initial Caterpillar Wt. (g) |
Final Caterpillar Wt. (g) |
Caterpillar Wt. Change(g) |
Wt. of Food Lost (g) over 3 h |
Feeding Rate (g food lost/h caterpillar) |
A |
8.05 |
9.55 |
+1.55 |
3.65 |
15.2 x 10 -2 |
A |
4.80 |
5.80 |
+1.00 |
1.74 |
07.2 x 10 -2 |
A |
5.50 |
7.00 |
+1.50 |
3.33 |
13.9 x 10 -2 |
A |
5.50 |
4.70 |
0.80 |
0.00 |
0 |
A |
5.90 |
6.95 |
+1.05 |
1.35 |
5.6 x 10 -2 |
Average |
5.95 |
6.80 |
+1.28 |
2.52 |
8.4 x 10 -2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B |
4.40 |
5.11 |
+0.71 |
2.19 |
9.1 x 10 -2 |
B |
5.20 |
5.60 |
+0.40 |
1.25 |
5.2 x 10 -2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Control 1 |
x |
x |
x |
0.22 |
x |
2 |
x |
x |
x |
0.10 |
x |
3 |
x |
x |
x |
0.16 |
x |
Diet |
Initial Caterpillar Wt. (g) |
Final Caterpillar Wt. (g) |
Caterpillar Wt. Change (g) |
Wt. of Food Lost (g) over 3 h |
Feeding Rate (g food lost/h caterpillar) |
A |
8.05 |
9.55 |
+1.55 |
3.65 |
15.2 x 10-2 |
A |
4.80 |
5.80 |
+1.00 |
1.74 |
7.2 x 10-2 |
A |
5.50 |
7.00 |
+1.50 |
3.33 |
13.9 x 10-2 |
A |
5.50 |
4.70 |
0.80
|
0.00
|
0 |
A |
5.90 |
6.95 |
+1.05 |
1.35 |
5.6 x 10-2 |
Average |
5.95 |
6.80 |
+1.28 |
2.52 |
8.4 x 10-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B |
4.40 |
5.11 |
+0.71 |
2.19 |
9.1 x 10-2 |
B |
5.20 |
5.60 |
+0.40 |
1.25 |
5.2 x 10-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Control 1 |
x |
x |
x |
0.22 |
x |
2 |
x |
x |
x |
0.10 |
x |
3 |
x |
x |
x |
0.16 |
x |
- Table 2. Average Rates of food consumption over a 24 h period for caterpillars given three separate diets
| Diet |
No. Caterpillars |
(g food eaten/caterpillars/h |
A
B
C
|
4*
5
5 |
8.4 x 10 -2
3.8 x 10-2
7.9 2 10-2 |
* One individual died during the study, without eating any food.
- Plotting - plots should:
- be adjusted to fill the largest portion of space available with reasonable scaling
- have clearly labeled axes (what was plotted & what units were used)
- have clearly located points (labeled both x & y values)
- be smoothly drawn (use ruler or graphical analysis)
Discussion: Typically the longest part of the report, answering the following questions:
- how did your results relate to goals of the study stated in the introduction section
- did your results relate to any expected results based on lectures, textbooks, or other readings
- what, if any, new hypothesis should be formulated and how can it be tested
- answer any questions posed by professor
Literature Cited: Be sure to include proper and full citations for ALL references used.
© Pechenik, Jan. 1993. A short Guide to Writing about Biology. New York : HaperCollins College Publishers.
Adapted by -The Writing Center
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
|
|
|
