Final Lab

Final Lab Report

Title of the Paper in Full Goes Here

Student Name Here

Walden University

Date Here

Table of Contents

Title page………………………………………………………..…1

Table of Contents …………………………………………………2

Abstract

This is the abstract, which is typed in block format with no indentation. It is a brief summation of your paper and should be 150 words or less. It should be accurate and concise. Your abstract should also be written in a self-contained way so people reading only your abstract would fully understand the content and the implications of your report. It may be helpful to write this section last when you have collected all the information in your paper. See section 2.04 APA for helpful tips and for more information on writing abstracts.

Level-1 Heading—Part I

This introduction is a statement of why you conducted this lab research and what information it has the potential to contribute to the scientific world. Be sure to include any background information important for the reader to understand your study. Be sure to also clearly identify your hypothesis statement or statement(s).

This will be the beginning of the body of your essay. Even though it has a new heading, you want to make sure you connect this to your previous section so your reader can follow you and better understand your hard work. Remember to make sure your first sentence in each paragraph both transitions from your previous paragraph and summarizes the main point in your paragraph. Stick to one topic per paragraph, and when you see yourself drifting to another idea, make sure you break into a new paragraph. Try to avoid long paragraphs to avoid losing your reader and to hold his or her attention—it’s much better to have many shorter paragraphs than few long ones. Think: new idea, new paragraph.

Make sure that you do not include “Level 1 Heading” in your final paper. Each heading should be replaced with the title of the heading.

Level-2 Heading—Materials and Methods

For the Methods and Materials, please describe the set-up of the lab and how you conducted your experiment. It is acceptable to use the word “I” in this section. Use it sparingly, though, as it is not commonly accepted in scientific papers. Describe the process you went through to collect your data in detail, including minor elements that may be relevant, like time or day, or anything important for the reader to understand your data collection methods.

The Level 2 heading here implies that we are in a subsection of the previous section. Using headings are a great way to organize your paper and increase its readability, so be sure to review heading rules on APA 3.31 and 3.32 in order to format them correctly. For shorter papers, using one or two levels is all that is needed. You would use Level 1 (centered, bold font with both uppercase and lowercase) and Level 2 (left aligned, bold, both uppercase and lowercase).

Level-2 Heading—Data

Please create a table or bullet points that clearly summarizes the data you collected.

Level-2 Heading—Results and Conclusions

For Results and Conclusions, please summarize the results, linking the information back to the introduction of the topics as to why you expected the results you did, or if you did not get the results as expected, why not. Where there any possible sources of error which may have affected the results of this experiment? Identify two possible experimental errors. Provide a summary of the over all knowledge you learned on the subject in this section.

Level-3 heading. The number of headings you need in a particular paper is not set, but for longer papers, you may need another heading level. You would then use Level 3 (indented, bold, lowercase paragraph heading).

One crucial area in APA is learning how to cite in your academic work. You really want to make sure you cite your work throughout your paper to avoid plagiarism. This is critical: you need to give credit to your sources and avoid copying other’s work at all costs. Look at APA starting at 6.01 for guidelines on citing your work in your text.

Another Level-1 Heading—Part II

This introduction is a statement of why you conducted this lab research and what information it has the potential to contribute to the scientific world. Be sure to include any background information important for the reader to understand your study. Be sure to also clearly identify your hypothesis statement or statement(s).

Here’s another Level 1 heading. Again, the topic sentence of this section should explain how this is related or a result of what’s been discussed in the previous section. You’ll also want to consider using transitions between your sentences as well. Below are a few examples of how to transition from one statement to another (or in some cases, one piece of literature to another):

1. Many music teachers at Olson Junior High are concerned about losing their jobs (J. Thompson, personal communication, July 3, 2004). This is not surprising considering the state’s recent financial cutbacks of fine arts programs (Pennsylvania Educational System, 2004).

2. Obesity affects as much as 17% of the total population of children (Johnson & Hammer, 2003). This increase of obesity leads to other chronic health problems, some short term and some long term (Christianson, 2004).

For more examples, see some of our transitions handouts on our website.

Level-2 Heading—Methods

[content]

Level-2 Heading—Data

[content]

Level-2 Heading—Results and Conclusions

[content]

Level-3 heading. The number of headings you need in a particular paper is not set, but for longer papers, you may need another heading level. You would then use Level 3 (indented, bold, lowercase paragraph heading).

One crucial area in APA is learning how to cite in your academic work. You really want to make sure you cite your work throughout your paper to avoid plagiarism. This is critical: you need to give credit to your sources and avoid copying other’s work at all costs. Look at APA starting at 6.01 for guidelines on citing your work in your text.

Level-1 Heading—Part III

This introduction is a statement of why you developed your PSA. Share with the reader who your audience is for your message and what your goal of the message is. Be sure to include any background information important for the reader to understand your PSA. If possible, paste your PSA into Part III. If not, please make a note that it is a separate file is being submitted at the same time as this lab report in the Dropbox.

APA can seem a bit tricky to master, but it’s really fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it. There are also plenty of sources to help you—don’t be afraid to ask!

And so forth until the conclusion…..

Level-1 Heading—Part IV

(OPTIONAL for the Final Lab Report)

(Delete Part VI if you do not wish to include a summary conclusion)

Your conclusion section should recap the major points you have made in your work. However, perhaps more importantly, it should also interpret what you have written and what it means in the bigger picture. In your concluding remarks, think big! Some questions to ask yourself include: What do you want to happen with the information you’ve provided? What do you want to change? What is your ultimate goal in using this information? What would it mean if the suggestions in your paper were taken and used? What did you learn?

References

(Please note that the following references should NOT appear in your paper)

Alexander, G., & Bonaparte, N. (2008). My way or the highway that I built. Ancient Dictators, 25(7), 14–31. doi:10.8220/CTCE.52.1.23-91

Babar, E. (2007). The art of being a French elephant. Adventurous Cartoon Animals, 19, 4319–4392. Retrieved from http://www.elephants104.ace.org

Bumstead, D. (2009). The essentials: Sandwiches and sleep. Journals of Famous Loafers, 5, 565–582. doi:12.2847/CEDG.39.2.51-71

Hansel, G., & Gretel, D. (1973). Candied houses and unfriendly occupants. Thousand Oaks, CA: Fairy Tale Publishing.

Hera, J. (2008). Why Paris was wrong. Journal of Greek Goddess Sore Spots, 20(4), 19–21.

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2007). How to cite a video: The city is always Baltimore [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Sinatra, F. (2008). Zing! Went the strings of my heart. Making Good Songs Great, 18(3), 31–32. Retrieved from http:///articlesextollingrecordingsofyore.192/fs.com

Smasfaldi, H., Wareumph, I., Aeoli, Q., Rickies, F., Furoush, P., Aaegrade, V., et al. (2005). The art of correcting surname mispronunciation. New York, NY: Supportive Publisher Press. Retrieved from http://www.onewaytociteelectronicbooksperAPA7.02.com

White, S., & Red, R. (2001). Stop and smell the what now? Floral arranging for beginners (Research Report No. 40-921). Retrieved from University of Wooded Glen, Center for Aesthetic Improvements in Fairy Tales website: http://www.uwg.caift/~40_921.pdf

Appendix

This section includes any charts or graphics you may have found from outside references.