Milk Lab Investigation
Day 3
Find your seat…
 Arrange yourselves in alphabetical order…
 By last name
 Find the “start here” and go!
 You have 5 minutes!
HOW TO WRITE A SCIENTIFIC
PAPER
 The purpose of writing a scientific paper is to
communicate to others in your community what you
learned about an investigation.
 Today, you will follow a rubric to assist you in writing a
scientific paper.
 You will allowed time in class to write each section of the
rough draft of your paper.
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER
WHEN WRITING A SCIENTIFIC
PAPER
 Scientific papers are always written in THIRD PERSON
 No I, me, my, you, your, he, she, it (biggest no-no)
 Procedures are written in past tense
 Write about what you did, not what you will do
 Check for spelling and/or grammar errors
 Papers will have one inch margins, MLA format cover
sheet, "see paper sample posted in classroom".
 In this class they are to be typed, double-spaced, in 12
font, black ink for the text
 No cursive or decorative fonts
Let’s Begin!
Introduction
 The introduction has three parts:
 General Introduction
 In two or three sentences, explain briefly what the investigation was all
about—a quick summary of what the reader can expect
 Background information
 Problem Statement (an investigable question)
 Given on the lab sheet or on the board—be aware in the future
 Day 1 Problem statement: How does food coloring respond in the different milk
fats?
 Day 2 Problem statement: What happens when detergent is added to different
milk fats and food colors?
 Prediction
 Write about what you expect to see happen with a reason
 Write in this format
 The prediction for this investigation is that if [the manipulated variable]
did/does this . . . then [the responding variable] will do this . . . because
[specific reasoning for your prediction].
Background Information
 Read over the background information on the handout.
 Write a brief summary of what you learned about:
 Different types of milk fats
 What milk is made up of
 Food coloring and its role in the investigation
 How fats respond to detergents/soaps
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
 Explanation of vocabulary and concepts used for this
investigation
 Summary of findings from research
PROCEDURE
 Variables
 Identify and list the Experimental Variables:
 Controlled Variables – at least 3 variable(s) that will be kept the
same throughout the Investigation.
 Manipulated Variable – the variable that is being changed in the
Investigation. [aka independent or experimental variable]
 Responding Variable - the variable that is being measured in the
Investigation. [aka dependent variable]
 Methods and units of measurement
 Qualitative vs. Quantitative
 How did you measure? With what tools? What units?
PROCEDURES—CONT.
 Step by step directions
 You will also need to provide detailed, step-by-step and
numbered instructions clear enough that others could
repeat the Investigation. You may choose to include
diagrams/drawings for a clearer understanding.
 Use the word “RECORD” in your methods/procedures.
 Number of repeated trials
 Be sure to describe ways to record observations/data from
multiple trials and/or long periods of time using data tables,
charts, and/or graphs. Include opportunities for a minimum
of four REPEATED or MULTIPLE TRIALS, which aid in
the accuracy of results/data. Use the words repeat x
(minimum of 4) _____.
DATA
 Data table
 Table of recorded findings from the investigation.
 Tables have titles and appropriate details.
 Written explanation of the data.
 Graphs/formulas/calculations
 Any graphs made from the data tables (Use D-TAILS
format)
 Any formulas used are listed here.
 Any calculations worked are shown in this section.
ANALYSIS
 What does the data mean?
 Explain what the data is telling you in complete sentences
and using correct scientific terms.
 Or In this section, include your answers to individual
Analysis Questions that may be assigned by your teacher.
You must include the question in your answer. Answers
must be written neatly, using proper grammar/punctuation
and scientific terminology.
CONCLUSION

Prediction supported or refuted using evidence from own data

THE goal is to answer the Investigative/Testable Question by including data gathered
during the Investigation and explaining how these data support your conclusion. The
following should NOT be answered as individual questions, but instead, be addressed
in paragraph form.
 Identify 2 controlled variables, 1 manipulated variable, and 1 responding variable.
 Briefly, summarize what you did.


If a Prediction was made, write a Conclusive Statement – this statement explains
whether or not your results matched your prediction. NOTE: The Conclusive Statement
correctly answers the Investigative question or correctly states whether the Prediction
was correct.

Summarize the results/data that were obtained. Be sure to include both Quantitative
and Qualitative data. NOTE: Data should at least be over the entire range of
conditions investigated. The minimum reported data MUST include the lowest and
highest conditions of the manipulated variable for quantitative data. [When the
manipulated information is descriptive, provide the lowest and highest conditions of the
responding variable.]
Provide Explanatory Language, which is separate from the Conclusive
Statement. It is used to connect or compare the supporting data to the
Conclusive Statement and explains how the data supports your conclusion.
Should explain the science behind your results.
CONCLUSION -CONT
 Error Analysis
 Outline at least 2 possible sources of error [DO NOT use
the phrase: “human error”].
 Explain how the error(s) you listed and described can be
avoided in the future.
 Future plans
 Present at least 2 specific suggestions for additional
experiments on the Investigative/Testable Question.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 All sources must be cited using MLA formating
 Must be a minimum of three (3) sources.
When is this Milk Lab paper due?
 Next Class Period!
 The paper needs to be typed.