BIOTECHNOLOGY
Lab Report Guide and Rubric
Each section of your lab report should have the following sections (labeled):
INTRODUCTION: The introduction is a description of the topic under investigation. It explains
the background (i.e. Big Ideas) of the lab in your own words using new
vocabulary. Be sure to include:
 The purpose of the investigation
 Your hypothesis, which is a prediction of results (what you believe will happen
and why) based on your understanding of the Big Ideas.
METHODS: This section describes how the investigation was performed. Use paragraph form.
Do not list materials. The report should not be written in the
first person (avoid using “I” and “we”). For example:
Poorly written: Me and my lab partner measure the temperature every few minutes
or so.
Well written: The temperature was measured in five-minute intervals.
Be certain to include important details such as:
 Times, amounts, etc.
 Concentrations of reagents
 Magnifications of microscopes or other important settings
 Temperatures for incubations, etc.
RESULTS: This section contains both your data and your analysis of that data. Be certain to
include the “raw” data in neat tables, if appropriate. Discuss any “outliers” that were
present but excluded from your calculations. Make certain that all data tables, graphs,
etc. are clearly labeled with a descriptive title and units, if displaying numerical values.
Include class data whenever available. Graphs, diagrams, and tables should be
labeled with a number and title. For example: Figure 1. Effect of Temperature on
Restriction Enzymes).
This is also where you will discuss the validity and reliability of the data collected. You
should use an appropriate quantitative measure of the data’s validity and reliability,
such as % error, when correct values are known. State whether your analysis leads
you to conclude that the available data is reliable and valid. Discuss possible errors
that would account for unreliable or invalid data.
DISCUSSION: The discussion is where you summarize your findings, explain whether or not
the data supports your hypothesis, and discuss the results of the investigation into a
larger context. Here a scientist would speculate about what their results mean in terms
of the concept under investigation. Explain whether your data makes sense given
what we know about this topic. How did your data compare to the expected results
and/or the results of other investigators? What have you learned about the Big Ideas
from your data? What improvements need to be made in experimental design or
procedure in order to improve the results? What further investigations could be done
to extend this experiment and learn more? Use in-text citations (author and date) if
you include information from sources such as the Internet.
REFERENCES: List all references in this section alphabetically by author using MLA format.
Do not simply copy and paste a link to the article. You should include at least one
journal article or other reputable source of information that is not your textbook or
Lab handout.
Name: ___________________________
Exploratory - Lab Report Scoring (50 pts)
Introduction: (7 pts.)
_____
(3)
Adequate background information and discussion of Big Ideas using new vocabulary
_____
(2)
Clearly stated purpose of the investigation
_____
(2)
Clearly stated Hypothesis: predicts results consistent with Big Ideas and explains why
the result is expected
Methods: (4 pts.)
_____
(4)
Clear description of methods for the investigation in paragraph form. Includes specific
times, quantities, concentrations, equipment settings. Does NOT list materials.
Results: (12 pts.)
_____
(3)
Raw class data included; neatly organized in labeled tables which. Units are present.
_____
(3)
Correctly calculated averages, rates, etc. with clear discussion of outliers/excluded data
_____
(3)
Appropriate graphs w/ descriptive titles, labeled axes, units, etc.
_____
(3)
Discusses of validity and reliability of results, including % error if correct values are
known
Discussion: (15 pts.)
_____
(3)
Explains whether data support hypothesis or not. Uses evidence to support conclusions.
_____
(3)
Discusses significance of results in relation to the Big Ideas.
_____
(3)
Compares results to those expected and/or the results of other investigators.
_____
(3)
Suggests any needed improvements to experimental design or technique
_____
(3)
Describes at least one new, related investigation that could be conducted to build on
these findings
References: (6 pts.)
_____
(2)
Correct citation(s) for any reference(s) w/in text of paper
_____
(2)
At least one journal reference
_____
(2)
Complete and correctly formatted information for all references (MLA)
Quality: (6 pts.)
_____
(3)
Written clearly with labeled sections and thoughtful conclusions. Succinct.
_____
(3)
Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.