Title (2 points)
____ The title
should indicate exactly what you have studied. It should be clear, concise, and descriptive (e.g. The effects of light and temperature on the
distribution of Gammarus pseudolimnaeus (Amphipoda: Gammaridae).
____ Remember to
list genus species name (see above for format) and the order and family that it
belongs to when appropriate.
Introduction (10 points)
____ Present information that identifies the problem
you are studying and give background information about the problem. In other words: what are you studying
and why is it important? Usually
information presented in lecture and/or lab handout will be sufficient to cover
relevant background material.
____ What are the null hypotheses being tested and
what are the important conclusions youÕre looking for? This should be the question your
experiment or activity was designed to answer. For example, ÒLight will have no effect on the distribution
of Hyalella aztecaÓ or ÒIn order
to determine the best management strategy for the winter moth, a cohort life
table will be developed to identify the strongest mortality factorsÓ.
____ Generally it is appropriate to pose 1 or 2
alternative hypotheses based on knowledge about an organisms habitat or
behavior.
Materials and
Methods (5 points)
____ Give a brief description of the study organism
(and if appropriate, the conditions that the organism was held at in the
laboratory).
____ Describe the apparatus or materials used to
conduct the experiment or activity.
____ Describe the procedure that was used to conduct
the experiment/activity. This
includes numbers of organisms used, or an area examined, time measurements,
number of replicates and any other details.
____ Describe how the data are to be analyzed (i.e. what statistical tests or calculations will help to
objectively answer the question you posed in the introduction).
**Note: It is ok to reference some things from the
lab handout, for example the methods for measuring winter moth life history
characteristics. However, you
should summarize and include the procedure that you actually did during the
lab.
Results (10 points):
This is one of the most
important sections! Your results
should never simply state: see graphs!
In the results, you present your observations and data. Tables and graphs should be used to supplement the text and to present the data in a more
understandable form. Raw data will
probably be most effective in table format, with the highlights summarized in
graph form. The written text of the results section may be short, as long as it
summarizes the highlights and directs the reader to specific tables and
figures. (Modified from: The
Learning Commons. Fastfacts:
Writing Scientific Lab Reports)
____ Present your important observations and data.
____ Present the results of statistical tests by
giving the test used, the critical value, degrees of freedom, and the p-value
(e.g. The data were evaluated with a Chi-square goodness of fit test and light
was found to have a significant effect on the distribution of shrimp (X2 =17.2, d.f. =2; p =0.0002 or X22 d.f. =17.2, p =0.0002)). Notice ÒÉwas found to have a
significant effectÉÓ is a statement you should make in the results section,
your interpretation of what this mean belongs in the discussion.
____ Use tables and graphs where appropriate to
highlight the important results (correctly titled and labeled).
____
When referring the reader to important figures and tables in the text, use
appropriate table or figure numbers.
**Note: DonÕt be afraid to state the results of statistical tests or identify important components of a life table (or
calculation), but leave the interpretation of these things for the discussion.
Discussion (10 points)
____ Briefly
summarize each important result and then interpret what you think it means in
relation to the question you are trying to answer from the introduction. In other words, explain what you think
your data mean and describe any patterns or relationships that emerged. What alternative hypotheses have you
formed?
____ Support your interpretations with material from
lecture, the lab handout, or other relevant source.
____ If specific questions are asked in the lab
handout, integrate them into your discussion. DonÕt just list the answers.
____ Explain how problems may have affected your
results and offer suggestions as to why you may not have observed the results
you expected. Finally, explain how
the experiment could be improved.
General
Requirements (3 points)
____ Spelling and grammar should be correct (use
spelling/grammar check)
____ Proper titles for sections
____ Double spacing
____ Margins
____ Clear organized writing
You can also see this website for tips: http://www.learningcommons.uoguelph.ca/writing/fastfax/labreports.htm
Or ask John, Julie, or Dr.
Malcolm