Writing a Lab Report forIB Biology

Title Page

• Title of your project is the same as your research question

• Include Name, date, school and school ID: 001282

Abstract

• Summary of your lab• Approximately 200 words

http://classweb.gmu.edu/biologyresources/writingguide/Abstract.htm

Background information

• What should the reader know about your topic?

• How did you develop your research question?• Cite your sources!

Research Question

• Concise and precise• EX: What is the effect of …….on

……

Prediction/Hypothesis

• Try to write this as an “If…then…because….”statement

• DO NOT write, “I think” or “We think”

Variables

• Independent• Dependent• Controlled/Fixed- Explain how you will be

controlling them• List all of these so they are clear to the reader

Materials

• List them and be specific–Ex: 1- 100 ML Beaker– 250 ML of tap water– 20 cm long dialysis tubing

Procedure/Method/Protocol• Write a detailed procedure in list

form• You can include diagrams or pictures

of your lab setup or instruments used

Raw Data

• Include only data collected during the experiment, no averages

• Include quantitative and qualitative data• Include units and uncertainties • Tables should be clearly labeled with

captions..and should be able to stand alone…see next slide

Diffusion Rate (S/cm/s) at various Temperatures(0C) ±. 10C

Trial # 50 75 95

1

2

3

4

Diffusion rate was measured indirectly by measuring conductivity rate of the solution using a Vernier conductivity probe and calculating the slope of the most linear region of the graph. The uncertainty for the probe is _______

Table 1 The diffusion rate of 50% salt solution at 4 different temperatures.

Helpful Hints for making a table

• Be certain that your table can stand alone• Refer to all tables by numbers in your text. e.g

according to table 1• Always provide units and uncertainties in table

headings• Align decimal places and maintain decimal places

and/or sig figs• Too many rows or columns could make it difficult to

understand..tables should consolidate data not make it more confusing

Processed Data• This is where you place all of your calculations

including descriptive statistics..mean/mode/sd as well as some advanced statistics.

• There should be tables and graphs• You must include at least 1 graph...make sure you

use the appropriate graph…look in the frog book for some help

• Include error bars on your graph. You can use standard deviation or standard error of the mean. MAKE SURE YOU INDICATE WHAT YOUR ERROR BARS REPRESENT.

Graphing

Temperature and Diffusion

0

20

40

60

80

100

Temperature

Dif

fusi

on

rat

e

Label

Label

Fig. 1 Temperature and diffusion. This shows the averages of 10 samples…..

Temperature and Diffusion

0

20

40

60

80

100

Temperature

Dif

fusi

on

rat

e

Label

Label

Error Bars

http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/res/gt/gt-stat-home.html

http://www.saburchill.com/IBbiology/ICT/dataprocessing/020.html

Advanced statistics

• T Test• Chi Square• Pearson Correlation• ANOVA• Other tests

http://click4biology.info/c4b/1/stat1.htm

Conclusion

• State a clear conclusion based on analyzed data

• Refer to your hypothesis. Was is supported by data or refuted? DO NOT STATE THAT YOUR DATA PROVES ANYTHING!

• Discuss all graphs, charts.

Evaluation

• Evaluate weaknesses and limitations– What limited your ability to complete the lab

successfully? Describe at least 3

• Improvements– What would you do differently next time?

Describe at least 3 improvements

Final Thoughts

• Your lab must be typed• Place your last name on every page• Don’t forget your references• Use pp. in 368-373 in your tiger book as well

as the websites I have included• Remember that your lab report must be your

own work…do not discuss what you are writing with your lab partners.