Guide to Writing Lab Reports

Guide to Writing Lab ReportsAspect 1 be the Problem and Selecting VariablesResearch Question (RQ)The first part of planning an sample is writing a good research question that you lead investigate.A intimately RQ testamentInclude both dependent and independent variablesBe Quantitative if appropriateInclude the organism or tissue investigatedHypothesisA assumption is a statement that addresses the RQ and makes a prediction most what pass on happen.A uncorrupted Hypothesis willBe written in an If. . ., then. . ., because. . . format.(If the independent variable does something, then the dependent variable will do something as a result, because explanation.)Include both dependent and independent variablesBe Quantitative if appropriateBe Testable (Falsifiable)Relate to the RQBe explainedVariablesVariables are the different split of your experiment that are able to change from one experiment to another. In order to perform a fair test it is important to make reliable that we con trol as many variables as possible in order to gain accurate info.A Good Variables list willInclude the self-sufficient variable the variable you changeInclude the Dependent variable the variable that changes as a result of the independent variableInclude other Controlled variables (constants?) and why we fatality toIdentify the control (controlled variables are things we need to keep constant in each experiment)Groups These groups should be very clearly identified so that you may refer back to them throughout your lab report as you do data processing, data presentation, and your conclusion/ evaluation.Control group This is the baseline group that you will be comparing the how the independent variable affects the dependent variable.This is NOT the same thing as controlled variables.Experimental group(s) This (These) is (are) the what is affected by the independent variable and is what you are measuring.Aspect 2 Controlling VariablesControl of VariablesPart of methods section o f a lab is to include how you will control the variables, not simple what the variables are as listed above. It is possible to list the variables in the method section or to list them in their own section before materials and methods. If this is the case you will still need to discuss HOW you will control them in the methods section.A Good Control of Variables section willSpecify how the measurements will be collect.Specify how the other variables will be controlled.Make sure that each variable in the list is mentionAspect 3 Developing a Method for Collecting entropy tool and MaterialsIncludes the required equipment and materials to control and measure the variables listed in Aspect 1. Should be in its own section separate from Method.A Good Apparatus and Materials disposition willIndicate the correct materials for each variableIndicate the precision of measurements500 ml beaker, instead of just beakerThermo verse (0-100) instead of just Thermometer1 meter stick or 100 cm ruler not just rulerCan include an annotated diagram, only not necessaryMethods to Collect decent and Relevant dataIncludes a numbered series of steps to control all variables and collect sufficient and relevant data. It is important when planning an experiment to view about the RANGE and SIZE of measurements as well as how many REPLICATES of the experiment you will do. This is part of the methods section. Should be in its own section separate from Apparatus and MaterialsA Good Methods section willInclude all steps necessary to complete the experiment (even the obvious ones- think about your grandma)Include how and when to arrogate measurements or record observationsAddress an appropriate RANGE of intervals or measurements.i.e. temperature from 0-10 or 0-100 or 50-100, etcIB requires that you have a minimum of 5 increments (or trials) with a minimum of 5 repeats at each trial.Address the SIZE of intervals or measurementsi.e. what units of time will be employ, or how long will the exp eriment run, etcIndicates how many times the experiment will be REPLICATEDi.e. how many times should you do the experiment?Makes sure that relevant data is able to be collectedData Collection and affectAspect 1 Recording sensible DataCollecting and recording raw dataData collection skills are important in accurately recording observed events and are critical to scientific investigation. Data collection involves all quantitative or soft raw data. Qualitative data is define as things being observed with more or less unaided senses (color, change of state, etc.) or rather crude estimates (hotter, colder, brighter, etc). Quantitative data involves some measurement.A Good Data Collector willRecord all appropriate dataPay attention to detailInclude units for all measurementsInclude uncertainties of the instruments usedRules for data table constructionIt is important when presenting data that is done in an effective and easy to read format. There are more than one ways to make a table , but you should always follow convention when making your tables.A Good Data Table will haveA descriptive titleHeadings with units, no units in body of tableIndependent variable in the left hand columnDependent variable across the exitUncertainties in all measurementsWhenever we make a measurement we do so with some error or uncertainty. We cannot make exact measurements, therefore it is important to augur what level of uncertainty there may be. This should be done in the headings after the units are given.Uncertainties are calculated as of the smallest unit measurable by the instrument. For example, a thermometer that is graded to 1C has an uncertainty of 0.5C 1 unit of length ( x 2 measurements)Aspect 2 Processing Raw DataData ProcessingData processing means that you are actually converting the data into another form. Putting numbers into a table is not data processingA Good Data Processing section willShow the formula you used, even if it seems simpleInclude processes such a smeansstandard deviations% differencesStatistical testst-testX2 (Chi-squared) testAspect 3 Presenting Processed DataData PresentationData presentation is not always necessary to every lab. You must evaluate if the data you collected is able to be graphed. Hint basically all quantitative data can be collectedA Good Data Presentation section willUse the appropriate graph typecontinuous variable best line or scatter graphsnoncontinuous variable bar graphsparts of a whole pie chartsHave a descriptive titleHave appropriate headings with units on both axisBe drawn neatly with axis being drawn in pencilHave clear labels or a key if more than one data set is present on one set of axisHave clearly marked and appropriate unitsHave points clearly located and marked neer connect the dotsAspect 1 ConcludingConclusionA conclusion is not simply a restatement of the problem. It requires thought and analysis of the relevant data collected and presented.A Good Conclusion willRefer back to the RQ a nd hypothesis. Remember, you CAN NOT prove your hypothesis right. You can uphold it, or disprove it, but you cannot prove anythingBe explained with reference to data analysis and literature values translation dont say something that is not in your dataGive the quantitative relationship between variables where appropriate linear, exponential, inverse, positive, negative, not it changed, we can see that Say how it changedCompare results with text book or other literature valuesAspect 2 Evaluating the functionEvaluationMost difficult part You are not being judged as person, so dont take the defensive and try and justify your mistakes Be honest, and think hard about what you could have done better.A Good Evaluation willIdentify sources of error in method and measurementIdentify limitations in method whether or not you chose it or not and data collectionAspect 3 Improving the InvestigationImprovementsAfter you identify possible sources of error in your experiment it is necessary to pr ovide realistic methods to improve on your experiment.A Good Improvements section willAddress each of the possible sources of error in the investigation and cite methods that could be used to fix themChange dont say the temperature changed, or the graph changed. Use increase or decrease, or another qualitative statement.It, They, Them use nouns. It doesnt matter if you say the same thing 100 times This is not English class.Prove You cant prove anything. You can only support your hypothesis.SO. . . The temperature changed, therefore it changed too, which proves my hypothesis to be correct. Is a horrible sentence