Formal Laboratory Reports
Title
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Literature Cited
You must label each section
Title
What did you study?
• The title of the lab report should
indicate exactly what you studied.
Example: The effects of Pilobolus spores on Grumpy cat
Introduction
Why did you study this phenomenon?
• The intro should identify
the phenomenon you
studied.
• Include info from other
relative studies. Make
certain to cite those
studies used in your
report.
Introduction
Why did you study this phenomenon?
• The introduction must end
with your hypothesis.
• A hypothesis is an “IF / THEN”
sentence that specifically
and clearly states the
question your experiment
was designed to answer.
Example Hypothesis
Example:
I hypothesize that if pilobolus spores
are introduced to Grumpy cat then
Grumpy cat will become happy .
Materials and Methods
What did you do? How did you do it
• Describe how and when you did
your work.
• Describe all equipment used to
do your work.
Example:
1 female cat A.K.A Grumpy Cat – 2 years of age
1 cat food bowl – plastic
4 grams of pilobolus spores
1 weigh boat
1 electronic scale - Flinn
Results
What did you find?
• In this section present your
observations and data with
no interpretations or
conclusion.
Results
What did you find?
Include tables and figures with each being
numbered and have self-explanatory titles.
Discussion
What does it mean?
• This is your chance to shine!
Explain what you think your
data means.
• Ex: When pilobolus spores
were added to Grumpy cats
daily life he ran around the
house and purred.
Discussion
What does it mean?
Pilobulus makes Grumpy cat Happy. Maybe?
Could be other things:
Your assignment
Form a scientifically interesting
hypothesis about:
Black Bread Mold
Rhizopus stolonifer
Your assignment:
• In the results section you
must include a daily
growth chart.
Materials:
• 2 pieces of bread
• 2 Petri Dishes
• Water
• Etc……..
Variables to consider:
•
•
•
•
•
Temperature
Location
Light
Sounds
Smells
References
• Use MLA format
Details:
• Run the experiment from March 16th through April 17th
• Keep daily records , must have daily records for growth from the
week of March 16th up to April 17th
• The week of April 20th your report is due
Hypothesis must be submitted
to me before you are given
your materials TODAY!!!!!!
Formal Lab is Due the week of April 20th