ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY CLASS: WRITING LAB REPORTS
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The following is an explanation of the format that is to be used for writing lab reports. There will be lab activities for each Chapter in the textbook.
1. Lab Report grades are given the same value as a test grade. It is very important that they be done correctly and thoroughly.
2. All lab reports should be typed using Times New Roman and only 12 font. (no exceptions)
3. In the upper left hand corner include your name, high school, and A & P class period. (0, Block, or 4th period)
4. After your personal information you are to put a GOOD FAITH STATEMENT THAT YOU HAVE NOT COPIED THE LAB REPORT FROM ANYONE ELSE. THIS STATEMENT MUST BE PRESENT AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR LAB REPORT. EVERYONE WILL TURN IN A LAB REPORT. YOUR REPORT MUST BE WRITTEN IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND MUST NOT BE IDENTICAL TO ANYONE ELSE’S. (Your grade will be 0 if this happens.)
5. The lab activities for each chapter must in typed in one body and emailed using one attachment.
6. Using your hgs email addy email your report to ksmith@hgs.k12.va.us . Please send ONE email. Remember to always list the subject of the lab in the correct area of the email.
7. Only labs with actual experimentation can be done with a partner(s); list name(s).
8. ALWAYS keep a back-up copy of your lab report.
9. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you have received a reply within a reasonable amount of time from your instructor that your lab report has been received. If you don’t receive a reply then you can assume your lab report was not received.
10. Lab grades will be deducted 10 points for each day late. After 3 days the grade will be 0.
11. Lab Reports are graded within a timely manner and you will be emailed with an explanation of your grade. Grades will be posted in PageOut.
12. Do not use Wikipedia as a resource site. Points will be deducted.
13. Always
use spell check. Print a copy of your report to check the formatting.
14. Do not
use pronouns like I, she, he, we, it, they, or them in your report.
15. Use
CAPS/BOLD where appropriate as well as correct spacing.
16. Always
use words that are scientific in your report. Example: Instead of “fizzes
or bubbles”, use “a gas is given off”.
17. Do not
copy/paste from a website or CD.
18. In
answering lab questions you should always use the scientific terminology
learned in class that pertains to the lab activities.
19. It is
important that the directions for each activity (usually there are 3) in a
lab report be read carefully before beginning.
20. Most of
the lab reports have questions that are matching or completion. The
answers to those will be posted in Pageout the
day after the Lab Report is due. These will help you review for the
chapter tests.
21. UNLESS
otherwise specified all labs will be due 2 days before the Chapter Test is
given. (ie. If the test is on Friday for Chapter
1 then the Lab for that same chapter must be emailed the previous
Wednesday by midnight.)
FORMAT FOR A LABORATORY
REPORT (Go by this format in writing all lab reports for this course.)
Performing laboratory experiments and making observations is a very important
aspect in the study of science, but equally important is the manner in which
you record your results. Your laboratory report should cover all the
important information related to your experiment or observation. Your lab
report should be done in a very neat format. The following
is a discussion of the major headings in your lab report. Include all in your
report unless otherwise directed. Type each heading in CAPS & USE the
Bold.
OBJECTIVE
The
objective statement is a statement that explains the reason for doing the
experiment. You also need to state the biological principles and concepts that
are being used. This section of your report needs to be at least 3
sentences.
MATERIALS
The materials section of your lab report should be
an organized list of materials used for the experiment.
PROCEDURE
The procedure section needs to have a summary of the
important activities done during the experiment. You do not need to have
the step-by-step procedure; it should be in your own words. Do NOT
copy the procedures used in the lab.
ANALYSIS: includes
The analysis section of your report should be
organized prior to performing your experiment, unless directed otherwise.
Some or all the following types of information may need to be
included in the analysis.
A. OBSERVATIONS
Observations are what you observe with your senses during an experiment.
Examples of possible observations are changes in physical or chemical
conditions. At times drawings or
sketches may be needed to further explain your observations.
B. DATA
Any
information that is used in determining the results of the experiment is
usually classified as data. It is very important that the data collected
during the experiment be properly identified, and that correct significant
index digits and units be used. Do not leave
numerical data unsubstantiated. Equipment and instruments must be read to the
correct number of significant digits. As a general rule, one estimated
digit should be recorded as the final significant digit.
C. TABLES
In many experiments the amount of information included in your observations
and data will be extensive. Tables are a very efficient means of
organizing information. Sample tables are provided for some experiments.
All information should be clearly labeled. Whenever there are several calculated values,
they should be organized in a table.
Tables must have titles.
CONCLUSIONS: DO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE THIS!!
The conclusions section of your laboratory report should thoroughly
describe what you discovered during the laboratory experiment or observation.
In other words, it is a synopsis of your results. You also need to
include how what you did in the lab relates to what has been discussed in class
and use scientific terms learned in class. This must be at least 3 –
5 sentences in length. It may need to be more than one paragraph.
Each
lab will usually be followed by questions that will be connected with the
experiment. You should always type the question in CAPS, using BOLD and then provide a thorough
answer in regular font (size 12).
ALWAYS skip a line between the answer and the question that follows.