HOW TO WRITE FORMAL LAB REPORTS

LAB REPORTS ARE BASED ON THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD Scientific Method: the series of steps followed to solve problems. It includes the following: Collecting Data Formulating Hypotheses Testing Hypotheses Stating Conclusions

SCIENTIFIC METHOD Observation: seeing something that causes a question to be posed Hypothesis: idea or explanation based on an observation Prediction: forecast of what will happen in an experiment Experiment: used to test a hypothesis Analysis/Conclusion: confirms/disproves hypothesis Communicate: publish or write your results

WHAT ARE THE STEPS? Name and Lab partners Period Title Purpose and Hypothesis Procedures Data Data Analysis Conclusion

DOING A LAB TOGETHER ALL LABS START WITH SOME SORT OF QUESTION OR OBSERVATION WE WANT TO TEST. Question: How long can the average person hold their breath out of water? Before we start, we make a hypothesis: Let’s make some predictions How long do you think? Will there be a difference between male and female?

STEP1: NAME At the top of your lab report, write your name. In the future, if you do a lab report, you would also write the names of all of your lab partners

Below your name, write what period this is STEP2: PERIOD Below your name, write what period this is

STEP3: TITLE OF LAB What do you want to title this lab? It should give a good idea about what the lab is investigating. Most labs we do will provide a title

STEP4: PURPOSE The purpose of the lab tells you why you are doing the lab. It should never be longer than 1 or 2 sentences. Example: The purpose of this lab is to determine how long the average person can hold their breath out of water.

STEP 4 (CONT): HYPOTHESIS After you have completed your purpose, you will include a hypothesis. It should be no longer than 1 or 2 sentences describing what you think will be the results of the lab. Example: Because we are young and fit, I predict the average time people can hold their breath is 25 minutes.

STEP5: PROCEDURES The procedure is the part of the lab where you explain how you did the lab. It should be in steps. Example: Have a time keeping device ready. Start to hold breath while you start the timer. Stop the timer when you breathe.

PROCEDURES (CONT) Normally for an experiment, you would need a control group and an experimental group. For this experiment, all subjects are being tested so there is no control group. What would be an example of a control for this experiment? Be sure to tell me what the independent variable is.

EXPERIMENTAL CONTROLS Control group: the standard used as a basis for comparison in the experiment Experimental group: exactly the same as the control group, except for one difference that is being tested Independent variable: the difference in the experiment Dependent variable: what changes because of the independent variable

EXAMPLE Holding breath experiment (different environments): Control group: Classroom Experimental group: Underwater Independent variable: where you are at (underwater, can change it to anything . . . outerspace, on a mountain, etc) Dependent variable: time holding breath

DATA The data part of the lab tells you what you observed or measured. In this experiment, this is where you have your dependent variable (time) You will NEVER do any calculations or math in data. Example: Time breath was held Person 1 53 seconds Person 2 46 seconds

COLLECT DATA For your lab report we are going to collect classroom data. Everyone is going to time how long they hold their breath. (this is for science, so be honest) We will create a data table to show the different times

DATA ANALYSIS This is the part of the lab where you summarize the data. It is often necessary to do math, create a graph or make a chart. Example: To find the average we add the times and divide by the number of people ALWAYS SHOW YOUR WORK ON LABS How could you show data with a graph?

CONCLUSION The conclusion is where you summarize the results of your lab by ANSWERING THE PROBLEM IN THE PURPOSE: What was the purpose? What is the answer?

CONCLUSION EXAMPLE From my calculations, an average person can hold their breath for _________seconds. In most labs for class, we know the expected answer. If your answer is different, then you will have to explain possible reasons why Example: Some people breathed during the experiment.

THEORIES After many experiments that verify a hypothesis, it may become a theory. Nowadays, you can see the results of many experiments because experiments are published and reviewed all over the world. Other scientists review the results in a peer review

ASSIGNMENT (10 points) You will design your own experiment. You will: Come up with some problem. Determine the procedures. Collect at least 3 pieces of data. Analyze the data with a graph or math. Write a conclusion answering the problem. You MUST turn in a formal lab report to get full credit. If you are having problems coming up with an idea, get one from me before you leave.