Posted: September 19th, 2016

Lab Report

Lab reports and scientific papers perform four important functions: 1. Persuade your reader to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations. 2. Catalogue data, procedures, and outcomes for future researchers. 3. Become part of the accepted body of scientific knowledge when published unless later disproved. 4. Provide an archived record for references and document a current situation for future comparison. Format (Total word limit: 1,000 ± 100 words) It is expected that your laboratory report will include the following sections: 1 . Title ( ~ 12 words) 2 . Abstract (~200 words) 3 . Introduction (~300 words) 4 . Materials and methods (~300 words) 5 . Results (~ 400 words) 6 . Discussion (~ 300) 7 . References of the cited literature When writing a scientific report the golden rule is “that you are a miser writing to a fool and every word costs $1.00”. Write concisely but accurately and informatively. You will be expected to write full reports for two (2) experiments (for BCHM 220/420) during the semester. Title (A concise but descriptive title which does not contribute to the word count) In a straightforward manner, capture the factual content of the report in less than about ten (10) words. It is a good idea to include keywords in your titles that researchers will input into search engines on the internet. Abstract (approximately 200 words) Summarize, in a concise paragraph, the purpose of the report (state the hypothesis and/or the aims of the report), the major method used, data presented, and major conclusions in about 150 words. The abstract is always written in the past tense (what you did, what you found and what it means). The abstract is presented after the title and before the introduction but it is usually the final section of the report that is written. Introduction (approximately 300 words) Defines the subject of the report: “Why was this study performed?” and provide background information and relevant studies (from the scientific literature): “What knowledge already exists about this subject?” so that your reader (examiner) has enough information to understand and interpret your report accurately. Therefore the introduction outlines the scientific purpose(s) and/or objective(s) of the report: “What are the specific hypotheses and the experimental design for investigation?” It is critically important that these last two elements are included as the last sentences within the introduction section of your report. The experimental design A summary of the experimental design should be included towards the end of your introduction. Note it is very important that a single sentence is used to capture the experimental design in your introduction. The hypothesis The hypothesis of the study is critical. The hypothesis is a question that can ONLY be answered as yes or no, but written as a statement. The null hypothesis is a statement that is the exact opposite of the hypothesis. For example, a hypothesis about the colour of the sky could be, “On a cloudless day, the colour of the sky is blue.” An example of the corresponding null hypothesis of this hypothesis would be “On a cloudless day, the colour of the sky is any other colour but blue.” The hypothesis MUST be limited to a single sentence ONLY. Of all the sentences in your laboratory report the hypothesis is the most critical because it informs the reader about the question you want to answer. All scientific studies begin by asking a question. Therefore, spend considerable time crafting your hypothesis.