1. IB Biology Lab Report Guidelines

2. 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.

3. Sections of an IB Lab Report
Exploration
Purpose
Research Question
Background
Hypothesis
Variables/Controls/Constants
Materials
Procedure
Ethics/Safety
Analysis
Data (raw) (usually a table)
Data analysis (processed) + graph
Conclusion and Evaluation
Conclusion & evaluation
Works cited
You may want to make a template on your computer to use when writing each lab report

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

5. 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 DV
EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO THE RESEARCH QUESTION!!!
Examples:
How does the concentration (from 20% to 100%) of H2O2 affect the rate of catalase action?

6. 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!!!! (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

7. Hypothesis “If….then…” model Needs to be specific
“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.

8. Variables Variables are factors that can be measured or controlled
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

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. Safety and Ethical Considerations
Show full awareness of significant safety, ethical, or environmental issues
If risk of injury, state medical treatment necessary

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. Works cited list
Example:

23. Notebook Set up Write the name of the class on the cover
Period
Teacher (McCobb)
Classroom (C-1)
Starting with P.1, # to pg Odd #s are on the RIGHT, Even #s are on the LEFT.

24. Notebook Set up
We only use tape. No glue!!! No staples!!! EVER. P. 1 Syllabus P. 2 IB Learner Profile P. 3 Lab Safety P.4 Lab report checklist P.5 Lab report Guidelines

25. 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