Biomedical Sciences Village Year-Long Project Manuscript
Purpose
After you have completed an experiment, you need to share your results with others. The same is true for researchers and scientists. Scientists share their results by writing
laboratory reports and submitting them for world-wide publication in a variety of scientific journals. Although each journal has its own style, there are features that are common to all
scientific articles. The purposes for the laboratory report are to inform others of the work done and to provide sufficient information so someone else can repeat the exact same
experiment or design new experiments that build on the information in the report. Remember, one of the key concepts in the scientific method is the repetition of experiments.
The laboratory report (scientific manuscript) is different from documenting the experimental design process or writing in the laboratory journal, even though some components are
similar. The experimental design process is done prior to completing the experiment; whereas, the laboratory report is done afterwards. The laboratory journal (lab notebook) is
analogous to a diary in which the scientist writes notes, ideas, and results of experiments in the laboratory journal on a daily basis. The journal pages are numbered consecutively
and each page is dated and signed by the scientist; this insures that pages are not missing and confirms the date when events or ideas occurred. The journal is usually read only by
the scientist and others in the same laboratory or company. The journal is not shared with large numbers of people.
In contrast, the laboratory report is designed to be shared with large numbers of people. The report is a formal, written summary of the experiments completed to test a particular
hypothesis. When a report is written, it generally means there is sufficient evidence from the experiments to either prove or disprove a hypothesis and a significant amount of new
information has been generated.
Components of a formal Scientific Laboratory Report
1.
Title Page (its own page)
The title page should quickly inform the reader of who wrote the report, what the report is about, and when it was written.
o List the name(s) of the author(s) who did the scientific work and wrote the report.
o Choose a title that clearly and concisely conveys the specific topic of the report.
o List the date the report was written.
2.
Abstract (its own page)
The abstract should be a one paragraph, concise summary of the entire report and include information on the purpose, procedure, results, and
conclusions.
o Write a one-paragraph summary of the key portions of the report.
o Include a sentence on the purpose for the report.
o Include at least one sentence describing what was done or indicating the procedure used.
o Include at least one sentence summarizing the results of the experiment(s).
o Include a single sentence stating the conclusion of the experiment.
3.
Background (its own page)
The background section should provide a clear purpose for doing the experiment. It should also discuss and explain the previous activities done
by the researcher or by other researchers that form the knowledge base which led to the work being reported.
o Write at least 2-three paragraphs describing the previous work done by you in class and available information you found
from Internet or other sources that led to the development of the described experiment. THIS SECTION SHOULD BE
AT LEAST 1 PAGE LONG—(NO 3 SENTENCE PARAGRAPHS, INCLUDE IN-TEXT REFERENCES!)
o Indicate the goal or purpose for the described experiment.
o This section should lead up to the hypothesis/purpose of the study.
4.
Hypothesis (can go at the end of the background)
The hypothesis is a clear prediction of the anticipated results.
o Write a single sentence that states the anticipated results for the experiment and indicates the independent and
dependent variables in the experiment.
o The hypothesis should blend in with the end of the background section.

5.
Example of a well-written hypothesis: The plants treated with fertilizer will grow larger than the plants not treated with fertilizer.
o In the above example, the prediction of the results is clearly stated: one group of plants will grow larger.
o The variables are clearly indicated: the independent variable is whether or not the plant is treated with fertilizer and the
dependent variable is the amount of growth.
Materials and Methods (its own page)
The materials and methods section should list all materials used and indicate the step-by-step process used to complete the experiment(s). This
section is written in the third person so no first person pronouns should be used.
o Provide step-by-step instructions so someone reading the report knows exactly what you did and could replicate the
experiment(s) exactly as you did it. It is written IN PARAGRAPH FORM and the materials are incorporated into the
methods. Include all materials used to complete the experiment(s). Should be 1-2 paragraphs long.
o Write in the third person—do not use the terms I or we. Should be in past tense
o Flow charts can be included, but cannot replace the written explanation.
Scientific Laboratory Report– Page 1
6.
Results (1-? Pages)
The results section should fully and clearly indicate the actual observations, measurements, or other results to the experiments. It should be
written in paragraph form and use charts, diagrams, pictures, or other graphics as necessary for clarity.
o Write at least one paragraph describing the analyzed results.
o Include the actual data and indicate the units of all measurements. (include raw data IN TABLES and analyzed data)
o Use graphs, charts, pictures, or other graphics to support your description of the results. Pictures can be included here.
ONLY GRAPH YOUR ANALYZED RESULTS
o Do not make explanations or interpretations of the results in this section.
ANALYZED RESULTS ARE YOUR AVERAGES AND AVERAGE CHANGES (OR INCREASE/DECREASE). INCLUDE THESE NUMBERS IN
YOUR TABLES AS WELL AS YOUR GRAPHS
7.
Discussion (its own page)
The discussion section should clearly and completely explain and interpret the results of the experiment(s). The analysis should refer back to
the background section of the report and discuss how the results reported in the previous section support, refute, or add to the existing
knowledge. If the results were unexpected or seem inaccurate, then an explanation of any possible errors or problems with the experimental
method or procedure should be included, along with suggestions on how to avoid those errors or problems in the future.
o Write at least 1-2 paragraphs explaining and interpreting the results.
o Include a reflection on the Background section indicating how the results support, refute, or add to information
presented as background. USE IN-TEXT REFERENCES
o Discuss and explain any possible errors in the results.
o Suggest improvements to eliminate any errors that occurred.
o Write at least 1-2 paragraphs that discuss further experiments (future directions) that expand on the work being
reported.) INCLUDE IN-TEXT REFERENCES
o THIS SECTION SHOULD BE 1 PAGE LONG
8.
Conclusion (include with the discussion page)
The conclusion is a single sentence stating the final summary of the report. It should be directly related to the hypothesis.
o Write a clear, single sentence that summarizes the report and is directly related to the hypothesis.

9.
Example of a conclusion statement: The plants treated with fertilizer grew an average of four inches taller than the plants not treated
with fertilizer.
Citations (its own page, need 12, properly documented)
The citations section should list all print, Internet, or other resources used to gain information for the report. Each citation should be complete
and use the proper format.
o Use proper scientific documentation to indicate the sources of all information used in the report.
Basic Writing Mechanics:

Always write in statements, in 3rd person. Do NOT write in first person or try to include yourselves in a 3rd person style

Grammar and spelling is important! Do not use slang or other abbreviations that are not common

Common abbreviations must be defined before use. Example:
I hope you have fun working on your Year-Long Project (YLP). You will learn a lot during your YLP experience.

For Grants and Journal Articles, the Materials and Methods section is written in paragraph form (not list form). For Experimental Designs
that are for use in the lab, material lists and step-wise methods are appropriate.

Results sections always include information written in paragraph form. This paragraph should include actual data numbers as well as
reference specific graphs and tables.

Figures (graphs and tables) should have figure legends under them (a sentence that both numbers the figure and describes what the
figure is)

Font no larger than 12 point, must be Times New Roman, Ariel, or Calibri

Use Section titles

Single space everything—only double space between sections.

Margins should be 1 inch

Include a header that has your names and the title of the work

Include page numbers as a footer

Use in-text references and document all sources appropriately

Follow the guidelines of the assignment and only include a title page if it says to do so

Always save your file as your name and the assignment
Scientific Laboratory Report– Page 2