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Writing Lab Procedures

Writing Lab Procedures. Rules for Honors. What is the point of writing a lab report?. Persuade others to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations Detail data, procedures, and outcomes for future researchers

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Writing Lab Procedures

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  1. Writing Lab Procedures Rules for Honors

  2. What is the point of writing a lab report? • Persuade others to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations • Detail data, procedures, and outcomes for future researchers • Become part of the accepted body of scientific knowledge when published unless later disproved • Provide a record for reference and to document a current situation for future comparison

  3. General style • 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 • 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)

  4. Title/Abstract • Reflect the factual content with less than ten words in a straightforward manner • Usually given in our lab protocols • Abstract is generally a 3-4 sentence synopsis of the lab and its purpose.

  5. Introduction • Define the subject of the report: "Why was this study performed?" • Provide background information and relevant studies: "What knowledge already exists about this subject?" Research generally required. • Outline scientific purpose and/or objective: "What are the specific hypotheses and the experimental design for investigation?"

  6. Materials and methods • In this section, explain in outline form exactly what you need to do during the experiment. Avoid the use of personal pronouns. • Should read like a cookbook, but written in numbered steps. • Verbs should be written as past tense.

  7. Methods • Calculations are explained within the methods section. Ex: 7. Measure the length of the string L from the end of the vibrator to the center of the pulley. Record this value in meters in your original data 8. For each set of standing waves formed, record the number of loops n. 9. Calculate the wavelength λ of the standing waves. Use the following formula. λ =2L/n (1) 10. Record λ for each of the 5 masses that give you a standing wave.

  8. Tools Table • Included to show sensitivity of the different instruments used and to keep track of significant figures • Table should include three columns • Instrument used • Last digit actually measurable on the instrument • Estimated digit

  9. Example 1

  10. Example 2

  11. Results • Summarize the data from the experiments withoutdiscussing 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)

  12. Discussion • This is the most important section requiring the most effort. • 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 • Include suggestions for improving your techniques or design, or clarify areas of doubt for further research • Answer any questions asked here,

  13. References & literature cited • Cite only references used in your paper and not a general bibliography on the topic • Alphabetize by last name of the author, Follow the MLA format for citations

  14. Conclusion • Answers the question: What have I learned? Relate it back to the original point of the lab, as noted in the introduction. • State what has been learned to convince the reader that the lab has been a success. • Data or discussion should not be re-written in this section

  15. References • Carter, Michael, Eric N. Wiebe, and Miriam Ferzli. "Student Tutorial: Introduction to Writing Lab Reports - The Parts of a Laboratory Report." North Carolina State University :: Welcome to North Carolina State University. 2000. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. <http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/res/res-studntintro-labparts.html>. • Landsberger, Joe. "Writing Lab Reports & Scientific Papers." Study Guides and Strategies. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. <http://www.studygs.net/labreports>.

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