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How To Write A Lab Report

This document outlines the required sections and formatting for a lab report in DP1 Biology. It should include: 1) A title page with a concise title and author information. 2) An introduction with the research question, aim, background, and hypothesis. 3) A materials section listing all items used. 4) A detailed procedure. 5) Results including raw and processed quantitative data and qualitative observations. 6) A discussion of how the results relate to the hypothesis. 7) A conclusion summarizing the key findings and supporting the hypothesis. 8) An evaluation of weaknesses and suggested improvements.

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74 views3 pages

How To Write A Lab Report

This document outlines the required sections and formatting for a lab report in DP1 Biology. It should include: 1) A title page with a concise title and author information. 2) An introduction with the research question, aim, background, and hypothesis. 3) A materials section listing all items used. 4) A detailed procedure. 5) Results including raw and processed quantitative data and qualitative observations. 6) A discussion of how the results relate to the hypothesis. 7) A conclusion summarizing the key findings and supporting the hypothesis. 8) An evaluation of weaknesses and suggested improvements.

Uploaded by

Koz Koz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DP1 Biology SL & HL

Lab Report Outline

1. Title page (the title of experiment, name, and date)


- The experiment title should be about 10 words or less, it must describe
the most important parts of the experiment
- AVOID: beginning the title with words such as ‘a, an, or the’

2. Introduction:
- Research Question: The research question must be focused and shows
the relationship between your independent variable and the dependent
variable. Sentence starters such as “What if the effect..” “what is the
relationship between…”

- Aim: It is very important to include both independent and dependent


variable, the units should also be present.
- Sentence Starter: “ to investigate how ….affects the….”

- Background Information: This will include the purpose and objective of the
experiment, along with additional background about the ‘what’ and ‘why’
of the experiment

- Hypothesis: Should be in the format ‘if...then…” this should be supported


by scientific explanation
- Include a null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis

- Variables: This should be a table format that includes both how and why
the variables are controlled. Make sure there is at least 5 controlled
variables that are quantitative.
- FORMAT:
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Independent Variables How is it being controlled? Why is
it being controlled?

Dependent Variables How is it being controlled? Why is


it being controlled?

Control Variables How is it being controlled? Why is


it being controlled?
DP1 Biology SL & HL

3. Materials: Detailed list of all the materials that will be used throughout the
experiment, make sure this includes concentration, amounts, and uncertainty of
the glassware

4. Procedure: This should again be very detailed so that someone can replicate
the experiment, make sure this is written in the third person and uses the past
tense. Provide justification for each step in the procedure.
- Include a diagram of the setup of the experiment
- Enough trials should be 5x5

5. Results:
- Raw Data: This should include both quantitative and qualitative meaning
observations as well

- Process Data: This is the section which will include any processing the
data went through.
- This is in a table format with labeled columns and rows each must
include units and uncertainty. Make sure the significant figures in
maintained throughout.
- Include a sample calculation which includes the formula
- The graph should be labeled as ‘Figure 1: ....” Make sure to draw
error bars and place the independent variable on the x-axis while
the dependent variable on the y-axis.

5. Discussion
- Consider how results support the hypothesis
- Explain why you might have gotten certain data
- The explanation should include your results, outliers, trends and patterns
in the data, max and min values.

6. Conclusion
- This should be a paragraph summary of what happened in the
experiment, along with scientific evidence to support certain outcomes.
Make sure to restate the hypothesis.
- Must explain how the results support the hypothesis, this should be
backed up my qualitative and quantitative data

7. Evaluation + Improvements
- This should be an evaluation of weaknesses and limitations, in terms of
procedure, controlling variables, trials, imprecise measurements etc…
- The improvements should be in regard to the procedure, hence there
need to be at least 3 improvements
DP1 Biology SL & HL

- Do not use pronouns in your lab report, which makes it concise and clear
- Pay attention to significant figures

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