How to Write

MYP Science Lab

Reports

Mr K

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Lab report purpose: Design and conduct a scientific
investigation, collect and process data, analyze
results, and evaluate the method.

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Parts of an MYP Lab Report

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These must be included in every MYP lab report:
1. Problem or question to be tested
2. Hypothesis and explanation
3. Variables and data collection
4. Method
5. Results
6. Interpretation and explanation of results
7. Hypothesis evaluation
8. Method evaluation
9. Suggested improvements and/or extensions
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing
This is the design phase of your investigation:
i. explain a problem or question to be
tested by a scientific investigation
There are 4 strands in Criterion B.

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ii. formulate and explain a testable Let’s examine each one in detail….
hypothesis using correct scientific

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reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
independent and dependent] variables,
and explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing
● Explain: tell HOW and WHY something happens
This is the design phase of your investigation:
● Give reasons the question is worth investigating.
i. explain a problem or question to be
● Frame the question in terms of a real-world
tested by a scientific investigation

ae3da33804b18cc5660cd7912a0764786ba4761866aabd2db97b52054be6/502726359.jpeg
problem that needs solving.
ii. formulate and explain a testable ● Your question should be open-ended. If it can be
hypothesis using correct scientific answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or with a number,

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reasoning then it’s not an open-ended question!

iii. explain how to manipulate the [

independent and dependent] variables,
and explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing
● Formulate: clearly and concisely predict how one
This is the design phase of your investigation:
variable influences the other one
i. explain a problem or question to be ● Explain: tell WHY the variables interact the way
tested by a scientific investigation they do

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ii. formulate and explain a testable ● Support your prediction with evidence or
examples from reliable sources. (And cite them
hypothesis using correct scientific

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properly!)
reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
independent and dependent] variables,
and explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing
● Manipulate: tell how you change the
This is the design phase of your investigation:
independent variable
i. explain a problem or question to be ● Tell how you measure the response of the
tested by a scientific investigation dependent variable

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ii. formulate and explain a testable ● Sufficient data: include at least 5 intervals of the
I.V. and 3 trials at each of those intervals.
hypothesis using correct scientific

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reasoning ● Relevant: control other factors impacting results

iii. explain how to manipulate the [

independent and dependent] variables,
and explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing
● Create a bullet-point list of materials needed
This is the design phase of your investigation:
● Logical: use numbered steps
i. explain a problem or question to be
● One step = one action; two actions = two steps
tested by a scientific investigation

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● Include materials and/or equipment in each step
ii. formulate and explain a testable
● Describe safety measures specific to your
hypothesis using correct scientific

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experiment (not generic lab safety rules)
reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
independent and dependent] variables,
and explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating
This is where you present and analyze results
and evaluate the investigation:
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and
There are 5 strands in Criterion C.
present data in numerical and/or Let’s examine each one in detail….
visual forms
ii. accurately interpret data and explain
results using correct scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
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Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating
● Your data are your measurements. They’re
This is where you present and analyze results numbers!
and evaluate the investigation: ● Organize: put your data in clearly-labeled data
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and tables
present data in numerical and/or ● Transform: calculate trends from your data and
visual forms convert those trends into charts or graphs
ii. accurately interpret data and explain ● Present: show the data trends visually
results using correct scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
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Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating
● Interpret: identify & describe patterns, and tell
This is where you present and analyze results what those patterns mean for your experiment
and evaluate the investigation: ● Refer to specific data points (i.e. numbers) to
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and support your claims.
present data in numerical and/or ● Explain results: tell WHY your data turned out the
visual forms way it did, providing reasons supported by
ii. accurately interpret data and explain reliable scientific sources (cited correctly!)
results using correct scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
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Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating
● Yes, no, or inconclusive? Do your data support
This is where you present and analyze results your hypothesis?
and evaluate the investigation: ● Evaluate: Identify the pros. Identify the cons. Tell
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and which had the greatest impact on your results and
present data in numerical and/or WHY.
visual forms ● One paragraph
ii. accurately interpret data and explain
results using correct scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
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Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating
● Look at your procedure. What worked? What did
This is where you present and analyze results not work?
and evaluate the investigation: ● Evaluate: Are your data reliable? Tell why or why
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and not. Is there enough data? Tell why or why not.
present data in numerical and/or ● Identify the flaws in the method, and tell how
visual forms each one impacted the reliability of your data.
ii. accurately interpret data and explain (Aim for +/- 3 flaws. It leads to the next strand.)
results using correct scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
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Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating
● Refer to the flaws you identified in the method
This is where you present and analyze results evaluation.
and evaluate the investigation: ● Improvements: Explain (tell HOW and WHY) you
i. correctly collect, organize, transform and would fix each flaw.
present data in numerical and/or ● Extensions: Propose another angle from which
visual forms you could explore or investigate the same
ii. accurately interpret data and explain question.
results using correct scientific reasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method based
on the outcome of a scientific investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
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Here’s what it should look like….
Research question:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: How does the concentration of a solution
i. explain a problem or question to be affect the transmission of light through that
tested by a scientific investigation solution?
Context:
ii. formulate and explain a testable Changing climate may impact evaporation
hypothesis using correct scientific rates in the world’s oceans, which could alter
reasoning their salinity (salt concentration). Changes in
salinity might impact how much light
iii. explain how to manipulate the [ penetrates the water, which in turn changes
independent and dependent] variables, how much photosynthesis is possible, with
and explain how sufficient, relevant data knock-on effects along marine food webs
will be collected (“Relationship”)
Citation:
iv. design a logical, complete and safe “Relationship between Concentration and Light (With Diagram) | Colorimeter.” Biology Discussion,

method in which you select appropriate Biology Discussion, 2 Feb. 2016, www.biologydiscussion.com/micro-biology/relationship-
between-concentration-and-light-with-diagram-colorimeter/18015.

materials and equipment.

Here’s what it should look like….
Hypothesis:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: As the concentration of sodium chloride in
i. explain a problem or question to be water increases from 5% to 15%, the
transmission of light will decrease three
tested by a scientific investigation
times.
ii. formulate and explain a testable Explanation:
hypothesis using correct scientific Salt (NaCl) is not clear, so that it doesn’t allow
reasoning light to pass through. The more salt there is in
a solution, the less light can pass all the way
iii. explain how to manipulate the [ through the solution. Three times as much
independent and dependent] variables, salt in the water should mean three times less
and explain how sufficient, relevant data light passes through the sample. (Kerner)
will be collected Citation:
Kerner, Nancy. “Solution Color, Absorbance, and Beer's Law.” Chem 125 - Experiment II, University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
iv. design a logical, complete and safe www.umich.edu/~chem125/softchalk/Exp2_Final_2/Exp2_Final_2_print.html.

method in which you select appropriate

materials and equipment.
Here’s what it should look like….
Variables:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: ● Independent: The salt concentration of the
i. explain a problem or question to be solution will be manipulated by adding
increments of 5 g NaCL to 50 ml distilled
tested by a scientific investigation
water (5 g, 10 g, 15 g, 20 g, 25 g, 30 g)
ii. formulate and explain a testable ● Each salt concentration will be mixed 3
hypothesis using correct scientific separate times, using digital balances and
reasoning graduated cylinders to ensure consistency and
reliability of measurements.
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
independent and dependent] variables, ● Dependent: The clarity of each sample will be
and explain how sufficient, relevant data measured by a Vernier turbidity sensor linked
will be collected to a school laptop.

iv. design a logical, complete and safe

method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Here’s what it should look like….
Variables:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: ● Controls:
i. explain a problem or question to be ○ The temperature of the samples will
tested by a scientific investigation remain constant so that density does
not change.
ii. formulate and explain a testable
hypothesis using correct scientific ○ The source of water will be kept the
reasoning same to avoid unknown contaminants.
○ The rate of stirring and time for the salt
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
to dissolve will be kept constant to
independent and dependent] variables, ensure even dissolution of Na+ and Cl-
and explain how sufficient, relevant data ions throughout each sample.
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Here’s what it should look like….
Materials:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: ● Laboratory grade NaCl crystals +/- 500 g
i. explain a problem or question to be ● Distilled water +/- 1 L
tested by a scientific investigation
● Electronic balance, precision +/- 0.1 g
ii. formulate and explain a testable ● Weighing dishes
hypothesis using correct scientific
reasoning ● 50-ml graduated cylinder, precision +/- 1 ml
● Box of sterile, disposable pipettes
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
independent and dependent] variables, ● 15x 150 ml beakers
and explain how sufficient, relevant data ● Glass stirring rod
will be collected
● Stopwatch or other timer
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
● Vernier turbidity sensor and sample tubes
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Here’s what it should look like….
Safety:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: ● Wear goggles to avoid accidental splashes into
i. explain a problem or question to be the eyes.
tested by a scientific investigation ● Do not look directly at the light source in the
turbidity sensor.
ii. formulate and explain a testable
hypothesis using correct scientific ● Wash hands thoroughly when finished.
reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the [
independent and dependent] variables,
and explain how sufficient, relevant data
will be collected
iv. design a logical, complete and safe
method in which you select appropriate
materials and equipment.
Here’s what it should look like….
Procedure:
Criterion B - Inquiring and Designing: 1. Measure 50 ml distilled water with the
i. explain a problem or question to be graduated cylinder.
2. Use the electronic balance to measure 5.0 g
tested by a scientific investigation
NaCl crystals.
ii. formulate and explain a testable 3. Add the measured water and salt to one
hypothesis using correct scientific beaker.
reasoning 4. Stir with the glass rod for 1 minute.
5. Use a disposable pipette to fill one plastic
iii. explain how to manipulate the [ sample tube with the salt water solution.
independent and dependent] variables, 6. Place the sample tube in the turbidity sensor
and explain how sufficient, relevant data and press ‘start’.
will be collected 7. Record the light transmission level (%T) after
10 seconds.
iv. design a logical, complete and safe 8. Repeat steps #1 to #7 two more times.
method in which you select appropriate 9. Repeat steps #1 to #8 with 10 g NaCl, and
materials and equipment. again with 15 g, 20 g, and 25 g NaCl.
Here’s what it should look like…. i ptive
e scr
D le
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating: Raw Data: tit
i. correctly collect, organize, transform
and present data in numerical and/or
visual forms
ii. accurately interpret data and explain
s+
Variable es
results using correct scientific ertainti
uncreasoning
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis
based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
iv. evaluate the validity of the method
based on the outcome of a scientific
t
investigation i sten
s
con nties
v. explain improvements or extensions ls i
ci ma certa
to the method that would benefit the D e h un
scientific investigation. w it
Here’s what it should look like…. i ptive
e scr
D le
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating: Processed Data: tit
i. correctly collect, organize, transform
and present data in numerical and/or
visual forms
ii. accurately interpret data and explain
results using correct scientific reasoningf best fit
ine o
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesisL
based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation Sc
a
iv. evaluate the validity of the method (us tter
ua pl
lly o t
based on the outcome of a scientific d )
la be l e
investigation n d Y-axis numbers
X- a d
v. explain improvements or h un its an
extensions
w it You may also want to use your raw data in
to the method that would benefit the some sample calculations to show how you
scientific investigation. arrived at your processed results.
Here’s what it should look like….
Interpretation and Explanation:
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating:
i. correctly collect, organize, transform In most cases, light transmission (%T) decreased as
and present data in numerical and/or the concentration of the salt solution increased.
visual forms The mean transmittance of a 5% NaCl solution was
ii. accurately interpret data and explain 74.3%, while a 15% solution only allowed an
results using correct scientific reasoning overage of 67.1% of light to pass through the
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis sample. As described in the hypothesis, more salt
based on the outcome of a scientific molecules in solution intercept and absorb more
light, meaning less light passes through more
investigation concentrated samples. This leads me to conclude
iv. evaluate the validity of the method that increasing salinity in the oceans will decrease
based on the outcome of a scientific photosynthesis levels and therefore negatively
investigation impact the amount of energy available at higher
v. explain improvements or extensions trophic levels in marine food webs.
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
Here’s what it should look like….
Validity of the Hypothesis:
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating:
i. correctly collect, organize, transform In general, the results of the experiment support
and present data in numerical and/or the hypothesis. In every trial except #2, the
visual forms transmission of light through the samples
ii. accurately interpret data and explain decreased as the amount of sodium chloride in the
results using correct scientific reasoning samples increased from 5g/50ml to 25g/50ml.
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis
based on the outcome of a scientific The data points in trial #2 differed significantly from
those in all other trials, which leads me to the
investigation conclusion that the procedure followed in trial #2
iv. evaluate the validity of the method was flawed, causing that data to be unreliable.
based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation
v. explain improvements or extensions
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
Here’s what it should look like….
Validity of the Method:
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating:
i. correctly collect, organize, transform Careful use of the graduated cylinder, electronic
and present data in numerical and/or balance, and disposable pipettes ensured that the
visual forms data were largely reliable. A minimum of 3 trials at
ii. accurately interpret data and explain each of the 5 levels of salt concentration resulted in
results using correct scientific reasoning sufficient data.
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis
The anomalous data from trial #2 indicates a
based on the outcome of a scientific problem with that part of the method. Reviewing
investigation my notes from the lab sessions, trial #2 was the first
iv. evaluate the validity of the method set of data collected during the second day of the
based on the outcome of a scientific experiment. The turbidity probe may not have been
investigation properly calibrated before beginning data
v. explain improvements or extensions collection.
to the method that would benefit the
scientific investigation.
Here’s what it should look like….
Improvements and Extensions:
Criterion C - Processing and Evaluating:
i. correctly collect, organize, transform In order to ensure consistent data across all trials,
and present data in numerical and/or properly calibrating the turbidity probe prior to
visual forms each trial is essential. Another way to address data
ii. accurately interpret data and explain consistency would be to use lens tissue to clean the
results using correct scientific reasoning glass “eye” of the sensor between every
iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis measurement so that no solution accidentally
smears it.
based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation As an extension to this investigation, exploring the
iv. evaluate the validity of the method link between light transmission and various
based on the outcome of a scientific pollutants would be helpful to develop a deeper
investigation understanding of how humans’ use of the oceans
v. explain improvements or extensions as a dumping ground may impact marine food
to the method that would benefit the webs.
scientific investigation.
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www.MrKremerScience.com

@bradleymkremer

Brad Kremer
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