IB Biology Lab Report Guidelines

Go to Google Classroom Open up the lab report checklist Read through the checklist Make a mental note. Are you/have you been doing ALL of these things when writing your lab reports? Talk to your neighbor. Tell them two things that you AREN’T doing.

Sections of an IB Lab Report Exploration Purpose Research Question Background (with 2 sources) Hypothesis Variables/Controls/Constants Materials Procedure With ANNOTATED PICTURE OF LAB SET-UP Ethics/Safety Analysis Data (raw) (usually a table) Data analysis (Processed data table + graph+ interpretation section) FORMULA + a sample equation using raw data Conclusion and Evaluation Conclusion & evaluation (with sources) Aspect I/II/III Works cited You may want to make a template on your computer to use when writing each lab report

Purpose The topic of the investigation is identified What is your purpose/objective? What are you trying to find out? Not a long section

EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO THE RESEARCH QUESTION!!! A fully focused research question is clearly described What kind of problem are you addressing? What goal are you trying to accomplish? MUST INCLUDE: IV—all levels Ex: 5 Different colored lights for a photosynthesis lab (blue/red/Yell...) DV---WHAT you will measure + units Ex: growth of plant in mm Examples: How does the concentration (from 20% to 100%) of H2O2 affect the rate of catalase action? EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO THE RESEARCH QUESTION!!!

Research Question Although the general aim of the investigation may be given by the teacher, students must identify a focused problem or specific research question. You need to consider what kind of problem you want to address. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF YOUR LAB REPORT. EVERY PART OF YOUR LAB SHOULD ADDRESS THIS!

RQ The research question guides the science and should do the following three things: 1) Post a problem. 2) Shape the problem into a testable hypothesis. 3) Report the results of the tested hypothesis. Moreover, the research question should address what the variables of the experiment are, their relationship, and state something about the testing of those relationships.

RQ The Psychology department at California State University, Fresno, provides the following examples and explanations: Possible research question: Are females smarter than males? This question delineates the variables to be measured: gender and intelligence. Yet, it is unclear how they will be evaluated: What method will be used to define and measure intelligence? Revised question: Do females age 18-35 score higher than adult males age 18-35 on the WAIS-III? (The WAIS-III is a standardized intelligence test.) This research question produces data that can be replicated. From there, the author can devise a question that takes a stand.

RQ Should involve the relationship or difference between two or more variables (i.e., an independent and a dependent variable—Make sure to STATE ALL LEVELS OF IV AND HOW YOU WILL MEASURE THE DV—include units used) Ask “What is the influence of X on Y?”, where X and Y are factors or variables that can be measured, controlled, or counted Make sure that anything in your RQ can be measured using materials and techniques available to you in the school’s lab Be precise as possible If you are using any living organisms, or products from living organisms, such as seeds from a plant, give the most precise name you can and give the scientific name if possible (Ex: Pisum sativum for garden peas) Even if your RQ is the title of your investigation, be sure to restate it clearly in the introduction or aim of your report Think about timing

Background The background information provided for the investigation is entirely appropriate and relevant and enhances the understanding of the context of the investigation. Cite sources. Must have at least 2!!!! (Author, year) Example: Enzyme activity is significantly effected by the pH level in its surrounding environment. The optimum pH of an enzyme is “the point where it is most active” (Worthington, 1972). The optimum pH for catalase (enzyme used in lab) is 7, although it varies between different enzymes (Worthington, 1972). If an enzyme is exposed to a pH level that is more acidic or basic than their optimal pH the can lose their ability to function (Worthington, 1972). This is called denaturation. Denaturation occurs when the structure of a protein is varied causing bonds within the molecule to break, which are vital to maintain protein structure (Encyclopedia Brittanica Editors, 2009). The goal of this lab is to learn more about how pH effects enzyme activity using a real-life situation. Credit Campbell Shaw Proper MLA formatted citations

Hypothesis “If….then…” model Needs to be specific—Include an actual # for later comparison “Educated guess” on what you think is going to happen. Should be supported by the background information you conducted Not formally assessed in rubric but helps you formulate your thinking as you plan your procedural design.

Variables + Research Question The methodology of the investigation is highly appropriate to address the research question because it takes into consideration all, or nearly all, of the significant factors that may influence the relevance, reliability and sufficiency of data. Variables are factors that can be measured or controlled IV: The variable YOU change DV: What you are measuring. DEPENDS on the IV

Variables/Controls/Constants Control: The group that nothing is done to. Standard used for comparison Constants aka controlled variables: What stays the same throughout experiment for all Example: Constants The dependent, independent and controlled variables are stated and explained clearly. Theresa Li

Scientific Method- Constant vs. Controls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAtW5yUYGA

Materials The use of subject specific terminology & conventions is appropriate and correct. All materials used clearly and precisely listed (exact sizes of containers and concentrations of solutions must be stated) Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words -clear picture or diagram of the experimental apparatus can be used. Example: Catalase in the form of blended potato 5 50 mL beakers 5 small test tubes Test tube rack 30 cm ruler 20 Ml of 1 H2O2 20 ml of 1 M HCl 20 ml of 1 M NaOH pH paper

Procedure (note that most of these you can’t “fix” in the write-up stage but must be considered when you are designing) The methodology of the investigation is highly appropriate to address the research question because it takes into consideration all, or nearly all, of the significant factors that may influence the relevance, reliability and sufficiency of data. You must have a drawing or picture of your lab set up (ANNOTATED) Full write up of procedures Written as a list of commands At least 5 intervals of independent variable At least 5 replicates (trials) Both qualitative & quantitative data

Example: Someone else should be able to recreate your experiment EXACTLY if they follow your procedures

Safety and Ethical Considerations Show full awareness of significant safety, ethical, or environmental issues If risk of injury, state medical treatment necessary and ways to avoid/PREVENT

Analysis Appropriate and sufficient data processing is carried out with the accuracy required to enable a conclusion to the research question to be drawn that is fully consistent with the experimental data. The report shows evidence of full and appropriate consideration of the impact of measurement uncertainty on the analysis. The processed data is correctly interpreted so that a completely valid and detailed conclusion to the research question can be deduced. Show one example of your calculations This may include statistical tests, percent change, or simple means Often includes a graph of the PROCESSED DATA (not the raw data) Uncertainties listed in data table, and/or explained in analysis section

Analysis The reports includes sufficient relevant quantitative and qualitative data that could support a detailed and valid conclusion to the research question Quantitative: Your data you collect in raw form Raw data table Numbers Measurements Qualitative: Things that cannot be measured Your observations of what is happening

Analysis Raw Data (usually a table) Possible graph to show raw trends Processed data Present processed data (Graphed/table) Show one example of your calculations This may include statistical tests, percent change, or simple means Often includes a graph of the PROCESSED DATA (not the raw data) Uncertainties listed in data table, and/or explained in analysis section

Data The use of subject specific terminology & conventions is appropriate and correct. Include uncertainties For example: incorrect/missing labeling of graphs, tables, images; use of units; decimal places Title: Clearly state the purpose of the experiment (e.g., The effect of ____ (independent variable) on ______ (dependent variable). In most cases, the independent variable (that which you purposefully change) is in the left column, the dependent variable (that which you measure) with the different trials is in the next columns, and the derived or calculated column (often average) is on the far right. watch sig figs & processed data should never be more precise than raw data Great format but can you spot the problems with how the processed data is more precise (ie has more decimal places) than raw data.

In this example she Averaged all three trials together Then calculated reaction rate by dividing height of foam by length of time the reaction was allowed to run Then graphed the rate And she included error bars on the graph– need to calculate SD

Analysis Processed data interpretation State the RESULTS of the processed data Is there a clear pattern? Trends? What does it show? MUCH OF THIS WILL BE REPEATED IN YOUR CONCLUSION You may want to include a summary under each table/graph explaining what the data shows/trends

Conclusion A detailed conclusion is described and justified which is entirely relevant to the research question and fully supported by the data presented. A conclusion is correctly described and justified through relevant comparison to the accepted scientific context. *Always good to restate your hypothesis MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR PROCESSED DATA FINDINGS!!!! Use sources to strengthen your conclusion

Evaluation Strengths and weaknesses of the investigation, such as limitations of the data and sources of error, are discussed and provide evidence of a clear understanding of the methodological issues* involved in establishing the conclusion. The student has discussed realistic and relevant suggestions for the improvement and extension of the investigation.

Works cited list Example:

Lab Report review Get into pairs. Send a partner to go up and grab ONE of the photosynthesis labs Using your mini lab checklist, please read and review the student's lab and give a check in the areas that are complete, make comments in the comment section