Lab Reports
Biology
The First Section of the LabIntroduction
• Name at top right corner
• Date also in the top left corner
• Title
– Appropriate title on the top Left.
The First Section of the LabIntroduction (continued)
• Research Question
– Why are we doing this lab? What is the
question that we are trying to answer?
Generate a scientific question with no
simple answer.
• Hypothesis
– This is YOUR predicted ANSWER to
the question that is being investigated
in this lab.
The First Section of the LabVariable Table
• This table must include all variables of interest
and their status.
Variable Names/Symbols/Units
Description
Independent Ex. Time (sec)
Varying amounts of fertilizer
Mass (grams)
Dependent Ex. Height (cm)
Change in height of plant
Constants
List (3)
Ex. Temperature ˚C
Soil
Amount of water
Control (if Plant A
applicable)
Temp 25 ˚C
40 g of soil
5ml water/day
Plant A has no fertilizer
The First Section of the LabApparatus
Apparatus Drawing
This should be a neat drawing that clearly
illustrates all equipment and how each
variable was measured. LABEL all parts!
You may take a picture with your phone,
print and paste into lab
It is not necessary to be an artist, just
do your best and label well :)
The Second Section of the Lab - Procedure
OPTION ONE
OPTION TWO
1. Step-by-step process you
1. Give a short
go through to complete
summary of the
the lab stating what you
ACTUALLY DID as
procedure making
opposed to what the
sure to hit all the
directions said.
key points.
2. You may be brief, but you 2. This will be in
should also be thorough paragraph form.
don’t skip important steps!
3. Listed as:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Etc.
The Second Section of Lab- Data
• If at all possible you should include a
table that contains your data.
• You should also include any descriptive
data in this section.
– For example: my sample started out clear
and then turned orange after it was heated
for 10 seconds.
The Third Section - Analysis
• This is the section where you should do
any calculations that are necessary in
your laboratory. Any questions that are
given with this laboratory should be
answered here.
• A GRAPH should be included in this
section if it is at all possible.
– Include a descriptive title
– Always place the dependent variable on the Y axis
– Use a ruler
In the Third Section - Conclusion
• PART 1 - CLAIM: Make a claim that answers
your research question. Claims should be
concise (1-2 sentences) and specific.
• PART 2 - WHY THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS
YOUR CLAIM: Here you explain how your data
supports the claim you made. You must discuss
the data- include numbers if possible. Make
sure that your claim is logically based on your
evidence.
• Part 3 – “What is going on here?”
Clearly explain scientific reasoning that
supports the evidence. How does this
make sense? Explain your thinking
here! You may be asked to back up
your reasoning with textual evidence.
• Part 4- Real world application to
body/world. How can this be applied in
other matters?
Date:
Title:
Research Question:
Hypothesis:
Variable table:
Apparatus:
Procedure:
Data: (table format)
Observations: qualitative
Analysis: Calculations/questions
Graph: (If necessary)
Conclusion:
Name:
Format
Your Lab
write up
should be on
graph paper
(in your
composition
notebook) and
always be
handwritten.
Self and Peer Review
• Using the notation
X = all present,
/ = needs work,
0 = missing from lab
evaluate your work and then exchange
with a peer and do the same.
• You should correct any errors as
you do a 2nd self evaluation prior
to turning in the lab.