Lab Report Guideline
Problem
What is the
experiment designed to find out or demonstrate?
E.g., Will using different amounts of
fertilizer affect the growth of plants?
Hypothesis
Write an
educated guess as an “if, then,” statement. Be sure to include the independent
variable and the dependent variable. An example of this would be:
If a plant receives more fertilizer then
it will grow more quickly.
Safety
Provide any
safety information that should be followed or safety gear that should be used
when performing the experiment; e.g., safety goggles.
Materials and Equipment
Provide a
list of all materials and equipment.
Variables
Identify
the independent, dependent and controlled variables. A table is a good way of
organizing this information.
|
Variable
type
|
Definition
|
Example
|
|
Independent
variable
|
The
variable you are testing (the cause of the change you observe)
|
The use
of different amounts of fertilizer in plants
|
|
Dependent
variable
|
The
variable that you expect to change (the effect of the independent variable)
|
The rate
at which plants grow with different amounts of fertilizer
|
|
Controlled
variables
|
Variables
that must be kept the same in order to have a fair test
|
The
amount of sunlight,
the
amount of water,
the type
of plant, etc.
|
Procedure
Make a
numbered list of the steps you will need to follow as you perform the
experiment. Your goal is to write enough information so you will know what to
do, or that someone who has never done this lab would be able to follow your
instructions step by step. Point form is acceptable.
Data
and Observations
- Write a paragraph describing
what you observed.
- Create a table or chart for any
data.
- Draw at least one picture that
shows what you observed. Drawings should always be in pencil and labeled.
- Create a graph with your data
if possible.
Discussions/Analysis Questions
Do some
research and answer the following question in this section of the lab:
- Using scientific reasoning, explain your
observations. For example, why did the
plant that was given more fertilizer grow at a faster rate?
Conclusions
- Look back at your problem. Was the
problem solved?
- Was your hypothesis correct or
incorrect?
Applications
- What specifically did you learn and how
can that be applied to your life today or to your understanding of the
world.
Sources of Error
Explain any
possible errors that may have changed your results; e.g., one of your
controlled variables wasn't consistently controlled.
Please note:
a)
You
may have the same information as your group members up to and including the
observations section. Beyond the observations section, everything is
independent (group members should draw their own diagram
b)
Write
using only one font and keep the font size to 11-12 point. Calibri font is
preferred
c)
Subtitles
should be in bold, the lab title may be in 14 point font, however the font style
must not change
d)
Any
research you do should be cited in a works cited list. Be sure not to
plagiarize someone else’s ideas.
Is this due the day we come back?
ReplyDeleteFor data and observations it says put your data in a graph for #2 and 4
ReplyDelete