Name:_________________________________
Date: _______________
Period:_________
LAB REPORT FORMAT - Plant Growth Study
COVER PAGE (5 points): Include title, name(s), date, and period.
 Title - The lab report is to have a title that is descriptive of its content. Be sure to include the specific
variable of your plant study.
Example - “The Effect of Soil Type on the Growth of Tomato Plants”
I. INTRODUCTION (Two Paragraphs – 10 points)
 First Paragraph - Background Research
o Background Research: This paragraph should include facts about the basic requirements for plant
growth. You should include information about plant growth in general as well as relevant
information about your variable (i.e. soil, water, sunlight).
 Second Paragraph – Purpose and Hypothesis:
o Purpose: What was the purpose of this experiment? What were you trying to find out? What was
your variable?
o Hypothesis: This paragraph should state your hypothesis along with the reasoning that you used to
develop the hypothesis.
II. MATERIALS and METHODS (10 points)
 Materials: List all materials in a column format (bullet).
 Methods: Number the steps needed to complete the experiment in numerical/chronological order. Write
all procedure steps in the THIRD PERSON using PAST TENSE. Do not use first person “I” or “We”.
IMPORTANT!! For this report you can simple copy and paste the materials and procedure steps from the
document on my website. Once you paste them into your Word document you MUST change them to the
proper format (third person and past tense).
III. DATA/ OBSERVATIONS (tables and graphs - 10 points)
 Using the data from your plant journal, create tables and graphs in excel using the instructions provided.
 Include a table and graph for both plant height and number of leaves.
 Include a title for each table and graph. For the graph, make sure you label the x-axis and y-axis. Also
include a legend.
IV. ANALYSIS (Explanation of the results - one paragraph – 10 points)
 Present your results and explain what happened. Be sure to use specific examples from your data.

Example – “The growth of the plant watered with vinegar was significantly slower than the plant
watered with tap water. This is clearly evident by looking at the data in table 1…..(use data to
explain)”

Example – “ The plants grown in the dark germinated and grew for a short time but eventually
shriveled and died. Looking at the data in table 2 you can note ……(use data to explain)”
 Look for relationships in the data/observations. Identify trends along with similarities or
differences. Be sure to incorporate the qualitative data you collected throughout the experiment.

Example – “Both plants, the ones grown in potting soil and the ones grown in organic
soil, seemed to grow at equal rates for the first two weeks. After two weeks the plant in
organic soil grew faster and looked significantly healthier as noted by greener leaves and
thicker stems.”

Example – “Both plants, the ones watered with tap water and the ones watered with
Gatorade, eventually grew to a similar height (cite data here). However, the Gatorade
plants did not appear as healthy as the tap water plants (explain why using qualitative
data).”

Example – “The plant gown by the window receiving natural light grew taller than the
one in the light box. However, the plant by the window had significantly smaller leaves
and thinner stems (use additional qualitative data to describe differences in plants).”
V. CONCLUSION (Closing 1 to 2 paragraphs – 10 points)

State whether the results support or do not support the hypothesis stated in the
Introduction. Propose ideas that explain why or why not the hypothesis was supported.
Example –“ The hypothesis that the plant grown in by the widow would grow better than the
one in the light box was not supported. The differences in the height and health of the two
plants can likely be attributed to ….. “
IMPORTANT!! Your explanations should be well thought out and make sense in terms of
your experiment. Refrain from wild guesses or explanations that are not based on facts from
your experiment.

Explain what you learned from the experiment.


Here you should elaborate on things you learned about plant growth that you were not aware
of before. DO NOT SIMPLY REPEAT WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY INCLUDED IN
YOUR REPORT.
Identify additional ways to extend the investigation of the experiment.

Here you should elaborate on what other experiments could be done to either make this
experiment better, or investigate additional questions that arose throughout your experiment.
VI. WORK CITED (5 points)
 Published information used for background research
 Use proper MLA citations - MINIMUM of 2 sources.
VII.
APPENDIX (20 points – Plant Growth Journal)
 Attach the packet you used to record information during the observation days.
 The plant growth journal will be graded on effort and completeness.
General style-additional notes

Must be typed using Times New Roman font size 12.

Use one inch margins and bold section titles.

Strive for logic and precision and avoid ambiguity, especially with pronouns such as “it” and “they.”

Keep your writing impersonal - DO NOT use of the first person (i.e. I or we).

Use the past tense and be consistent within the report. Note: "data" is plural and "datum" is singular; species
is singular and plural

Italicize all scientific names (genus and species).

Use the metric system of measurement and abbreviate measurements without periods (i.e. cm, kg).

Spell out all numbers beginning sentences or numbers less than 10 (i.e. "two explanations for the results …").

Write numbers as numerals when greater than ten (i.e. 75) or associated with measurements (i.e. 6 mm or 2 g)

Be sure to use correct spelling and grammar!
Grading Rubric:
Item
Possible
Points
Points
Earned
Title Page
5
Introduction
10
Materials and methods
10
Data/Observations
10
Analysis
10
Conclusion
10
Works Cited
5
Appendix (Plant Growth Journal)
20
Spelling and Grammar
5
Third person/past tense/formatting
5
Group participation
10
TOTAL
100
Comments
Name:____________________________
Date: _____________
Period:_________
PLANT LAB REPORT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Lab Report Section
COVER PAGE
Date
Assigned
Due Date
Monday,
March 10
Monday,
March 10
Thursday,
March 13
Thursday,
March 13 (for
peer editing) –
time in class on
3/10
II. MATERIALS and METHODS
 List of materials in bullet
format
 Methods needed to complete
the experiment in numbered
order – written in past tense
without 1st person
Monday,
March 10
III. DATA/ OBSERVATIONS
 Plant Growth Journal
completed (Appendix)
 Plant growth spreadsheet –
Tables 1 and 2 and Graphs 1
and 2 for height of plant and
number of leaves copied into
Word document with titles
IV. ANALYSIS (1 paragraph)
 Explain the results.
 Look for relationships in the
data/observations.
Wednesday,
March 12
Thursday,
March 13 (for
peer editing) –
materials and
methods on my
webpage –
modify as
required
Thursday,
March 13 (for
peer editing) –
time in class on
3/12
V. CONCLUSION (1-2 paragraphs)
 State whether the results
support the hypothesis and
explain why or why not this
occurred.
 Explain what you learned
from the experiment.
 Identify additional ways to
extend the investigation.
Thursday,
March 13
VI. WORKS CITED
 Separate MLA formatted
works cited page (minimum
of two sources)
Thursday,
March 13
Tuesday,
March 18 (for
peer editing) –
time in class on
3/13 and 3/14
*FINAL LAB REPORT
Monday,
March 10
Friday,
March 21
I. INTRODUCTION
 Background Research
paragraph
 Purpose and Hypothesis
paragraph
Thursday,
March 13
Teacher’s
Initials
Amendments
(based on teacher’s comments)
Tuesday,
March 18 (for
peer editing) –
time in class on
3/13 and 3/14
Tuesday,
March 18 (for
peer editing) –
time in class on
3/13 and 3/14
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