What lab reports and scientific
papers do:
-
Persuade others to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations
-
Detail data, procedures, and outcomes for future researchers
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Become part of the accepted body of scientific
knowledge when published unless later disproved
-
Provide an archival record for reference and document a current situation for future comparison
Format
The typical lab report includes: title, abstract, introduction,
materials and methods, results, discussion, references and literature cited
Title:
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Abstract:
Summarize in a concise paragraph the
purpose of the report, data presented, and major conclusions in about 100
- 200 words.
Introduction:
-
Define the subject of the report:
"Why was this study performed?"
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Provide background information and relevant
studies: "What knowledge already exists about this subject?"
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Outline scientific purpose(s) and/or
objective(s): "What are the specific hypotheses and the experimental
design for investigation?"
Materials and methods:
-
List materials used, how were they used,
and where and when was the work done (especially important in field
studies)
-
Describe special pieces of equipment and
the general theory of the analyses or assays used
-
Provide enough detail for the reader to
understand the experiment without overwhelming him/her. When
procedures from a lab book or another report are followed exactly, simply
cite the work and note that details can be found there.
Results
-
Concentrate on general trends and
differences and not on trivial details.
-
Summarize the data from the experiments
without discussing their implications
-
Organize data into tables, figures, graphs,
photographs, etc. Data in a table should not be duplicated in a
graph or figure
-
Title all figures and tables; include a
legend explaining symbols, abbreviations, or special methods
-
Number figures and tables separately and
refer to them in the text by their number, i.e.
-
Figure 1 shows that the activity....
-
The activity decreases after five
minutes (fig. 1)
Discussion
-
Interpret the data; do not restate the
results
-
Relate results to existing theory and
knowledge
-
Explain the logic that allows you to accept
or reject your original hypotheses
-
Speculate as necessary but identify it as
such
-
Include suggestions for improving your
techniques or design, or clarify areas of doubt for further research
References & literature cited
-
Cite only references in your paper and not
a general bibliography on the topic
-
Alphabetize by last name of the author
-
Follow the recommended format for citations
General style
-
Strive for logic and precision and avoid
ambiguity, especially with pronouns and sequences
-
Keep your writing impersonal; avoid the use of
the first person (i.e. I or we)
-
Use the past tense and be consistent within the
report note: "data" is plural and "datum" is singular; species is singular and plural
-
Italicize all scientific names (genus and
species)
-
Use the metric system of measurement and
abbreviate measurements without periods (i.e. cm kg) spell out all
numbers beginning sentences or less than 10 (i.e. "two explanations of six
factors").
-
Write numbers as numerals when greater than ten
(i.e. 156) or associated with measurements (i.e. 6 mm or 2 g)
-
Have a neutral person review and critique your
report before submission
* adapted from Biological Investigations, 5th
ed. by Warren D. Dolphin 1999, published by McGraw-Hill."
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