Lab report

WRITING A LABORATORY REPORT (.doc/.docx or .pdf format only)

Each student has to write an individual lab report by themselves, it is not a group report, though they will share same experimental data/image collected during the research project labs.

PARTS OF THE LAB REPORT

Follow the lab project report guidelines but remember this guideline is not comprehensive- be attentive of the guidelines explained by TAs for modifications/alteration.

To write a lab report, referencing the laboratory manual/ Biology textbook is only a beginning. Seek out original sources, primary literature (peer-reviewed journal articles). Limit textbook citations, as the information is less reliable than primary literature. Use the library/e-library resources to find more detailed information on the topic. The completed laboratory report is to include the following sections as described: 1. TITLE PAGE

• Informative report title (it should describe lab content concisely, adequately & appropriately)

• Your full name

• Your email address (UNT email)

• Course and section numbers (BIOL1760/61.xxx)

• Date report submitted

• Laboratory instructor name (TA name)

2. ABSTRACT

Concise summary in one paragraph (200-400 words) that summarizes your report as follows:

• The scientific context of your experiment (what are you testing & why?)

• What you did

• How you did it (generally – NO specifics; do not write the method here)

• What you found (state your results qualitatively, not quantitatively)

• What it means- 1-2 sentence discussion and conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION

• Background information so that a reader will understand the purpose of your experiment

• Explain the purpose of the research project

• State the formulated hypotheses /rationale and predictions being tested when appropriate for the research project.

• Generally, 2 paragraphs long, 1st paragraph going over major concepts and key terms. While the second

paragraph addresses the experiment, questions it is trying to answer, and predicted outcomes. • Talk about the experiment; what are the procedures, what were the controls, independent and dependent

variables, what analysis or comparison do you plan on doing to your results etc. • Give a brief description of treatments used and what was measured.

• Generally, this part of the lab report will have the most references/citations- cite experiments from journals &

relate to your experiment.

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Describe the procedure in your own words (so that the procedure could be replicated)

o Make sure to report any changes from the lab protocol!!!

• Methods and materials should be written separately and concisely.

• Details like concentrations (mM, g/L, etc.), temperatures, and sample size should be mentioned

• Tables can be used to show your different treatment groups (i.e. how you set them up) • No references/citations usually noted in this section.

5. RESULTS

• Open with a statement of the overall findings from the experiment

• Describe your results (point out trends or important features) and explicitly reference figures/images

• Insert tables/figures/graphs/images to describe your results (see below for details)

• Mention in the results, what were the numbers, the calculated data, tables, graphs, charts, any other visuals such as pictures of specimens, gels where applicable, etc.

FIGURES/TABLES/DIAGRAMS- Summarize your data into graphs and tables (in the results section) with headings,

labels and legends:

• Graph: Figure 1 to Figure X

o Include Figure legends (text below the Figure) so that it is not necessary to refer back to the report to

understand the Figure. Include information about methods (temperature, concentration), how the

data are expressed, sample size, and any abbreviations

o Label the axes and define all treatments (including units if appropriate)

o Make sure to include a title! o Make sure the graphs are easy to read and sized appropriately

o Pay attention to formatting. For example, the title of a graph should not be on a separate page from the graph itself.

• Table: Table 1 to Table X

o Use columns for categories of information (i.e. size, shape, etc.)

o Use rows for the different entries (i.e. species of bacteria)

o Include Table captions (text above the Table) so that it is not necessary to refer back to the report to understand

the Table. A caption presents a succinct statement of the contents of the table.

• In Molecular Biology Project- Images with proper labels

• No references/citations usually noted in this section.

6. DISCUSSION

• Open with a statement that either supports/rejects hypothesis or rationale

• Back up that statement by referring to findings from the experiment (briefly, do not re-state the same data

from the results section & do not refer to figures/tables)

• Generally, the number of paragraphs reflects the amount of data.

• Interpret your results (data/image) and relate to your initial rationale or hypothesis at the beginning of the

experiment

• Discuss any expected/unexpected findings regarding the hypothesis/rationale you made in the

INTRODUCTION section

• Address any issues that you encountered during the experiment (like problems/errors)

o Explain why they might have occurred

o Explain what you could do to fix the problem/error

• Critique the experimental design used

o Does it adequately address the hypotheses/rationale being tested?

o Were there faulty assumptions in the design that make interpretation of the data difficult?

o What new questions are prompted by the results? • Describe technical factors that you believe might help the reader interpret your data

• If there are no data (tables/graphs) interpret/discuss problems related to the hypothesis.

• In Molecular Biology Project- discuss the relevance of the data/result of the DNA extraction and Gel

electrophoresis

• What do your results mean? Make a claim if you can "this evidence supports the idea that…." But do not say “proves”.

• Can have references/citations to help back your claim

7. CONCLUSION

The summary of the result and discussion in concise manner.

8. REFERENCES

• This section should list the references using APA format (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/)

• Make sure to have in-text citations in the Project Report (citations in the different parts of the Project- e.g.-

Introduction/Discussion part)

• Prepare a complete alphabetized (by first author's last name) list of references cited in your report at the end

of the report.

• At least, 2 primary journal article citations required!

• DO NOT use direct quotes, paraphrase the info from the article and cite the source

• DO NOT use lab reports or presentations found online. ONLY use peer-reviewed publications.

• The citation should be in your text as well as the reference section!

• Copying/pasting from the web/any other source is considered plagiarism & will result in a zero!

• For references, text book is only a beginning. Seek out original sources, primary literature (peer-reviewed journal articles). Limit textbook citations, as the information is less reliable than primary literature. Use the library to find more detailed information on the topic.

9. GROUP PROJECT TEAM/SELF EVALUATION FORM

Directions: Complete an evaluation for each member of your team, including yourself. Justify scores of 1 or 5 for any parameter.

Scoring Parameters: Rate each member of the team on the following scale for each parameter:

5 – Strongly Agree, 4 – Agree, 3 – Neutral, 2 – Disagree, 1 – Strongly Disagree

NAME Helped the team move forward on the project by contributing ideas or solutions

Performed his/her share of duties

Assisted others as needed and acknowledged contributions from other team members

Prepared as expected for the project

Worked well with other team members and resolved conflicts in constructive manner

Total

Self (Group member-1)

Group Member-2

Group Member-3

Group Member-4

COMMENTS OR EXPLANATIONS:

FORMATTING THE DOCUMENT

• The report is to be typewritten.

• Send in .doc. .docx or .pdf format only.

• One-inch margins

• Twelve-point font (Times New Roman/Calibri/Arial)

• Double spaced (to allow for comments)

• Bold or underline headings for each section to separate it from the paragraph

• DO NOT use the words: I, we, got, etc.

• DO NOT use contractions (i.e. – “don’t”; instead, write “do not”)

• Use active past tense (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/)

• Form complete sentences & check spelling!! • Approximate length of the report –as specified by the TA

• Spelling and grammar are essential; if you do not use both wisely, your report will not

have good grade.

• For students requiring writing assistance, visit the UNT Student Writing Center website at http://www.unt.edu/writinglab/. Locations and hours are listed. (Can get 2 extra credit points if you email the TA a confirmation that you went to the UNT Student Writing Center for your research project lab report)

• While expected to be neat in presentation, the lab report will be graded primarily on the accuracy and

quality of technical content. Late submission Policy: Check the due date for your lab report in your Canvas sections. All submission assignments (e.g. research project lab report) will have five points deducted per day if submitted later than the due date. A grade of zero for the assignment will be given after 2 late days, regardless of the reason for non-submission.

Talk to your instructor in advance of the due date if circumstances beyond your control keep you from turning in a report on time. Otherwise, the instructor will have no other option but to assign a grade of zero for the report. Policy on Academic Misconduct:

The laboratory report is to be in the words of the individual student. Therefore, reports that appear to be the work of more than one person will receive a grade of zero for the assignment for all parties involved. No cheating will be tolerated. Anyone cheating (all forms) or exhibiting behaviors consistent with cheating, including, but not limited to, assisting other students with cheating: accepting credit for another’s work, etc., will receive as a minimum punishment a grade of zero for the graded item.

Plagiarism is presenting the work of another as your own or re-using your work for another class in this class without permission. Plagiarism will not be tolerated; the student will get a grade of zero for that assessment. In circumstances where a student copied another student’s work and the student that shared their work both will get a grade of zero for the graded item. Self-plagiarism is also considered plagiarism. Please make yourself knowledgeable about self-plagiarism issues. More severe punishment will be given depending upon the circumstances. All incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported to the appropriate authorities.