Throughout the year, you will be building a collection of experiments and journal entries in your notebook. Some of these experiments will be following a procedure that is already written for you with a goal in mind ( the so-called "cookbook" lab), while in other experiments you will be deciding what direction to go by designing your own procedure ( a scientific inquiry). You will also have the opportunity to write and reflect on several bio-ethical issues throughout the year in your lab notebook. These journal entries will serve as a springboard for several lively discussions and debates in class. Hopefully, as time goes by, you will see how your lab notebook will be a valuable resource. You will see how previous experiments aid in your interpretation of future experiments and more importantly, see how these experiments help in your understanding of biological concepts.

Lab participation and lab reports account for a large portion of your grade. It is to your advantage to put your best into these

labs, especially those of you that are not big fans of tests. A strong lab notebook can make up for a not so hot test score. You

can also expect to see lab-related questions on tests. There will even be some tests that involve a lab portion, where you

might have to identify something on a slide or a specimen. I will periodically collect and check the lab notebooks according

to the requirements listed below. I usually allow a week or so after the lab for you to complete the analysis before I collect

them.

Before most labs you are required to do a pre-lab outside of class. If the lab is a so-called "cookbook" lab, READ THE LAB FIRST. Try to get an idea of what you are trying to find out and what concepts are behind the lab. After you have read the lab in its entirety, do the initial pre-lab write-up.

                            -General information in the right hand corner (your name, partner’s name, and the date)

                                    -well-thought out organized paragraph

                                    -You can use the introduction provided for you in some of the "cookbook" labs to get ideas for your

                                     paragraph, but often these introductions leave out explanations of terms and concepts. It is often

                                     best to refer back in your text to the concept behind the lab to get a better grasp of the information.

                                    -content should include:

                                    1) description of background information: relevant terms, concepts or experiences

                                    4) hypothesis: (if applicable): a valid prediction of what you think will occur and why

                                    A formal hypothesis is usually written in a "If…….(state independent variable),

                                    then…(state dependent variable)… because(an explanation of why you think this change will 

                                    occur"format.

                        3) MATERIALS LIST (Complete listing of all the materials necessary to do the lab)

                        4) PROCEDURE

                                * if a "cookbook" lab, summarize (not plagiarize) the procedure provided for you in a step by step format;

This section in your lab report you will start and sometimes complete during lab. This is the portion of your lab that includes

all observations, measurements and calculations. Make sure you make all measurements using the metric system, unless specified. After you have written down your initial observations and measurements, you will need to organize most of the data into tables and or graphs.

1) Make sure to have a descriptive title above your table that explains what you are measuring or observing.

2) Make sure to clearly label the columns and rows in your table including a description and units of measurement if

applicable. You usually find the independent variable in the left column and the independent variable to the right.

When repeated trials are conducted, they are recorded in subdivisions of the dependent variable column. Sometimes it

is helpful to arrange the data from smallest to largest.

Example

1) Write a descriptive title that communicates both the independent and dependent variable.

2) Label clearly both the x and y axis including variable and units of measurement. Place the independent variable on

the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis. The unit of measurement is usually placed in parentheses next to

or beneath the variable.

3) Determine the scale of the axes. Make sure you use the entire graph paper. Find the range of data to be graphed by

taking the difference between the smallest and largest values. A good rule of thumb to determine the size of each interval

is to divide by 5. Round the resulting quotient to the nearest counting numbers ( multiples of 2,5, 10 and so on).

1) It is recommended to use a pencil or even colored pencils when making sketches.

2) Draw a large box or circle to draw your sketch in.

3) Try to make your sketches as detailed as you can. These sketches will be a valuable reference when studying for

certain tests where you have to identify certain slides or parts of a specimen.

4) Label your sketches as much as you can. Identify the specimen and any of its various parts.

5) If you are using a microscope, indicate the power of magnification you are observing the slide under.

This is the most important section in your lab report. Some lab reports will have more involved conclusion than others, but overall your conclusion should have the following requirements:

1) 1 to 2 well thought organized paragraphs

2) Content should include:

1) Describe the purpose.

2) Summarize your results include a brief discussion of your results compared to the class as well as possible

sources of error. Try to give a possible explanation for your findings.

3) Make recommendations for future study or for improving the experiment.

At the end of most of our "cookbook" labs, there are usually a set of questions that you will need to answer in complete well-thought out sentences.

Comments or questions can be sent by e-mail to Moore Biology.