HOW TO WRITE A LAB REPORT

• Biologie
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

• 200-300 words
• Research question (what, which, where & how)
• Explanation of your research question.
• Hypothesis (If .........., then ..............)
• Explanation of hypothesis.
• Background information. 

CHAPTER 2: M&M

• Materials: Include specific amounts, times, and measurements.
• Procedures: The level of detail should be high enough to allow someone else to duplicate your experiment, without including any unnecessary information that may overwhelm the reader.
• Data collection plan: What data will be collected, in what way and how will it be shown in the report. 

CHAPTER 3:  DATA

• All observations are cataloged and organised and clearly labeled.
• All measurements and data are shown in tables.
• All tables with numbers are converted to graphs.
• All pieces of data shown must be accompanied by a label and at least 2 sentences of information.
• Data analysis: minimum 100 words.

CHAPTER 4:  C-D-E

• Conclusion: (200- 400 words)

Repeat the hypothesis, is this accepted or rejected, give arguments for why you accept or reject it with evidence from previous chapter.

• Discussion & Evaluation: (400- 600 words)

Evaluation: what could be improved on the process or this research and why? (What could go better next time?)

Discussion: ideas for further or alternative research proposals and elaborations.

PRESENTATION:  REQUIREMENTS

• Layout: Arial 12, normal margins
• Add titles to each section to create and index on the side.
• Add page numbers at the bottom right of each page.
• Language: Third person (no I, WE, US etc) present simple, correct spelling and grammar 
• Are all required elements present?
• Sources (internet, textbooks etc) are cited appropriately throughout the report and included at the end of the report.

Lab report reflection

1) Share the document with feedback with your groupmates
2) Read the feedback you got on your lab report
3) Discuss with your groupmates
4) Fill out the lab report reflection form (individually)

include

don't include

Anna's research question is: What and how much does the black bear eat? 

Which background information should she include?

info about bear parasites

info about where the bear lives

info about the brown bear

how much the bear weighs

Ben is doing an experiment where he varies the amount of water he gives to a corn plant and measures the amount of corn produced. Which is the best research question?

1. How much water does the corn plant need?
2. What is the effect of water on corn production?
3. How much water does a plant need?
4. What is the effect of water on plant growth?

Ben chooses the question: "What is the effect of water on corn production?". What would be a good hypothesis?