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Name Biology Lab Reports
Table of Contents Page # Lab Report Title 1 Let’s Inquire About Water Lab
Table of Contents (cont.) Page # Lab Report Title
Title of Lab Report Date Investigation Question: Hypothesis: Materials: Method / Procedure: This should be a succinct question that conveys the purpose of this lab activity. What are you trying to figure out? Why are you doing this experiment? Pose this as a testable, predictive statement and briefly justify your reasoning. Do not write in narrative format (i.e. don’t write “I think X will occur because....” ; instead: “X will occur because...”) A comprehensive bullet list of all materials used in the lab. Make sure you note down everything being used as you’re going through the lab so you don’t forget to write it in your report. This is a numbered list of the step-by-step instructions YOU followed when completing the lab. You will write them in clear, concise sentences in sequential order. Be detailed; write as though someone else were going to be following your instructions exactly to recreate the experiment you performed. Observations/Data This will be where you write both your qualitative (descriptive) observations of what happens during the lab, as well as your quantitative (measured) data that you collect. Quantitative data should be recorded in an appropriate manner, such as a table, chart, or diagram. BASIC OUTLINE OF A LAB REPORT A lab report should include all of the following sections. Section length can vary significantly depending on the lab. Page #
Results This section should be a comprehensive, descriptive restatement of your observations and recorded data from the lab. This is NOT an interpretation/analysis of the data, just an objective review of what you found. Charts, graphs, and diagrams are all appropriate supplements to include in this section based on the data you recorded in previous sections. Ensure use of all indicated unit measurements, labels, legends, and annotations when needed. Analysis This section will be where you interpret the data and explain your results in relation to the original investigation question and your hypothesis. You will critically evaluate how your lab results either supported (or contradicted) your hypothesis. You will also discuss what further evidence would be required to strengthen your conclusion. This will typically be your longest section and should be an in-depth exploration of what you experienced during the lab. You will also answer any Post-Lab questions pertaining to the lab in this section. BASIC OUTLINE OF A LAB REPORT A lab report should include all of the following sections. Section length can vary significantly depending on the lab. Conclusion This section will be a final summary statement addressing the investigation question and your hypothesis in the context of your laboratory findings. This is not a restatement of results, nor is it further evaluation. It is a concise, summative statement; a few sentences at most. Page #