BIOLOGY 2007 - 2008 Periods 1     SCI219 
Darin Detwiler

  Syllabus

  On-line text

  Formal Lab Report

     FAQs

     Glossary of Terms

     Conclusion Writing Aid

Science Formal Lab Report [.08]:

1.      What is QSR? 

a.      Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning- it refers to the Math and Science requirements.

2.       What is the Formal Lab Report?

a.      It is a graduation requirement assignment and rubric that assesses a student’s ability to demonstrate understanding of the scientific investigative process.  It is given by Science teachers to their students in grades 10-12.

3.        What classes offer the Formal Lab Report?

a.      All BEST H.S. Science classes offer an opportunity for students to produce a formal lab report.

4.       Which students need this requirement for graduation?

a.      The class of 2008 and beyond.

5.       Who do I contact if I have questions?

a.      Your student’s Advisor or science teacher.

Controlled variable(s):  Variables that can be controlled, including the size of objects, amount of substance, number of a material, temperature, measuring device, and time intervals, etc.  Students can address this by writing statements such as “Follow steps 1-6 using the manipulated variable”. 

Experimental control:  Experimental control condition is an investigation setup in which the manipulated variable is not changed.

Hypothesis:  A statement that predicts the outcome of the experiment- and is one that can be proven using data or observations.  It should include both the manipulated and responding variables.

Manipulated variable (a.k.a. “independent variable”):  The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment.  This is what the experiment is testing and it is compared to the experimental control.   

Precision:  The degree of accuracy in a measurement.  This can include correctly using significant digits. 

Responding variable (a.k.a. “dependent variable”):  This is the variable that changes as a result of the changes in the manipulated variable. It is the data that is collected.  

Trials:  A trial is one run of an experiment, using both the manipulated variable and the experimental control.  A second trial is running the entire experiment all over again.

Validity:  The experiment is or isn’t a fair test of the manipulated variable.  Calculations that can be done to assure validity are percentage yield, percentage error, or percentage differences

*HINT: Think of this as one of those mad-libs from when you were younger

TEMPLATE:

In this lab I was trying to find out [if, how, when, why, where] [the manipulated variable] would [affect] [dependent variable.]  I predicted that [hypothesis] because [what gave you that background information.]  My data showed [how the dependent variable changed] in [dependent variable] as [the manipulated variable] [how the manipulated variable changed.]  My analysis of the data showed [pattern.]

 I can thus [accept or not] my hypothesis, that [hypothesis.] Possible errors in the data collection include […] I could improve the experiment by […]   Another way that I could test this hypothesis would be [how.]  Ultimately, this information is valuable to [whom] because [why.]

 
EXAMPLE: 
In this lab I was trying to find out [if] [a change in air temperature] would [increase] [the rate that crickets chirped.] I predicted that [increased air temperature would increase all activity; thus chirping rate should increase,] because [crickets are cold-blooded.]  My data showed [an increase] in [the chirping rates as temperature increased.  I got a low of 10 chirps per minute at 10^oC and a high of 25 chirps per minute at 30^oC.]  My analysis of the data showed [a good linear relationship with good correlation of points to the line.]

I can thus [accept] my hypothesis, that [increasing temperature does directly affect chirping rate.]  I could improve the experiment by [being more accurate with more data.  I would like to actually be able to calculate a formula to predict cricket chirping for different temperatures. I also need to use more crickets because I do not know whether chirping rate is unique for each cricket or a common characteristic.]  Another way that I could test this hypothesis would be [to test crickets at different temperatures at the same time.]  Ultimately, information like this is valuable to [everyone] because [it would help us understand how the environment affects organisms.]

 [Conclusion idea adapted from: http://www.qacps.k12.md.us/cms/sci/tools/LABCONC.HTM]
 

Now, identify and fill in the pieces from your lab work below.  When you have filled-in all the boxes, you can write you conclusion as in the template and conclusion above.  You should print this out for use, click here for a printable PDF version.

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