SCIENCE LAB REPORT GUIDELINES – Coach Colizzi

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

· Body (written material) must be on looseleaf paper or typed on plain white paper. DO NOT tear pages out of a spiral binder.

· Write on ONE side of the page only.

· Paper: drawings - plain white paper; graphs - graph paper, tables - looseleaf or plain white paper. Use dark blue or black ink for body of report. Graphs, tables and drawings may be done in pencil.

· The purpose, results, conclusion, and answers to questions must be written in complete sentences.

· Use correct spelling and PROOFREAD!!

· DO NOT PLAGIARIZE (copy from another person or source).

· Pages of report must all be STAPLED together.

· ALL LINES must be drawn with a ruler.

· Your name and class period must be on the front page of your report.

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS:

Organize your report into the following sections in order. Identify each section with a heading.

¯ TITLE

· Should be brief and descriptive. Do not use "Lab Report".

¯ PURPOSE

· Use simple sentences to state intent or objective of exercise.

· If a hypothesis is being tested, it should be stated here and identified as the hypothesis.

¯ MATERIALS

· List materials, apparatus, chemicals (and amounts) etc.

· List items in 2 columns. You do not have to write this in complete sentences.

· Do not list pens, pencils, calculators, etc.

¯ PROCEDURE

· Should be procedure actually used, including modifications from written description.

· Use a numbered sequence of steps.

· Use formal English - no "I" or "we".

· DO NOT copy from the lab manual (that’s plagiarism) – Use your own words.

¯ RESULTS / DATA / OBSERVATIONS

· Include description of results in complete sentences or as labeled tables, graphs, or drawings.

· There may be questions to answer about the observations and results.

¯ Graphs (use graph paper)

· ALL lines must be drawn with a ruler.

· Include a descriptive title (NOT "Data" or "Graph")

· X-axis represents independent variable; Y-axis represents dependent variable.

· Each axis must be labeled (what it shows) AND the units indicated.

· Divide axes into regular intervals with "tic" marks; label tic marks.

· Different colors or patterns may be used to represent different data sets.

· Include a key or legend to explain multiple lines.

¯ Tables

· Include a descriptive title (Not "Table" or "Results").

· All lines must be drawn with a ruler.

· Label all columns; include units of measurement where appropriate.

¯ Drawings

· Use colored pencils if possible.

· Use simple lines - no shading or scribbling.

· Draw what is observed; do not copy diagrams from text.

· Check drawings with text, partner, or teacher (don't draw an air bubble instead of an amoebae!) Arrange drawings vertically on page (not side by side); maximum of 2 - 3 drawings per page.

· A circle (about 5 cm) may be used to represent the microscope field.

· Draw selected cells and representative structures

· Label each drawing completely; use a ruler to connect labels to parts identified.

· Label microscope drawings with magnification (e.g., 400x).

¯ Questions - answer in complete sentences

¯ CONCLUSION

· Most important part of report; will count 10% - 30% of lab grade.

· Should be 6 - 10 sentences.

· Must be directly related to purpose. Interpret results and explain if purpose was fulfilled successfully. If hypothesis-testing is involved, state whether results support or contradict hypothesis. DO NOT simply restate purpose.

· Incorporate information from other sources - lecture, text, compare with previous labs, etc. Information from outside sources will usually be required; **this must be cited and referenced appropriately.

· For quantitative labs - include mean or average values where appropriate, and a discussion or possible sources of error.

· Comments about personal feelings are not appropriate.

QUESTIONS

· Number answers to match question.

· Answer in complete sentences so that question is understood. DO NOT copy question.

REFERENCES

· All sources, including text book(s), must be referenced.

· Use standard reference format.

SIGNATURE AND DATE

· Sign your name at END of report.

· Enter lab partner's name (label: lab partner: _______________).

· Enter date.

FINAL NOTES

· You are expected to be prepared for lab. On the day of the lab, you must come prepared with:

o a pre-lab write-up, as instructed by teacher. It should include appropriate data tables.

o lab book, if required.

o pen, pencil, ruler, colored pencils and other required materials as instructed.

o approved lab safety goggles and aprons, unless otherwise instructed.

· If you are not prepared, you will be excused from the lab and will receive a zero for that grade.

· Lab reports are due at the beginning of the period on the day assigned. No time will be allowed for stapling reports, filling in lab partner's name, etc. Lab reports turned in late will receive a deduction of 10 points per day late.