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The major sections
of a Laboratory Report
Grading Criteria
|
1. Laboratory reports are organized as scientific journal articles reporting experimental results. 2. They should contain all the usual sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions; Figures and Tables. 3. They should be typed and arranged according to the expected format, outlined below. There is a superb chapter in the Ecology lab manual which explains the proper writing of a scientific paper. You also have available to you a stylebook which explains in detail all of the format requirements. When in doubt, follow the formatting guidelines outlined in this stylebook. 4. The laboratory reports should be turned in ON TIME. There will be a substantial and progressive penalty for late papers. I will not consider a paper "turned in" until it is correctly formatted and complete. In general, the paper will be due one week from the laboratory for which it was written. 5. Please don't neglect your nonscientific writing skills. I take grammar and spelling, sentence construction and overall clarity and organization into account when evaluating papers. |
The major sections of a laboratory report:
| This section is strongly
influenced by the superb explanation of research report writing in Field
and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology, by Brower, Zar, and von
Ende. I strongly recommend reviewing that work for further information.
1. Abstract: A complete summary of the report in a few hundred words at most. An abstract is NOT an introduction, but a condensed version of the ENTIRE REPORT. It should include a specific summary of the goals, major methods, results and interpretations of the work accomplished. 2. Introduction: An explanation of the background, and goals of the laboratory procedure. TThe scientific question is stated and explained. What effect will possible results have on the question? 3. Methods: Describes the methods and procedures used to carry out the experiment. Another scientist could duplicate your work using this description. Standard, well-known techniques can be simply named, possibly with a citation to a source which describes that method. The type of analysis done on the data is part of the methods. 4. Results: Report the key results which come out of your laboratory procedure and it's analysis. Don't just dump all your data and expect the reader to sort it out. Highlight what you find important. Summarize. DON'T just say "the results are given in the attached table." Report your results in prose, supported by necessary charts and tables. 5. Discussion and Conclusions: This relates the results to the goals of the laboratory procedure. This is where you make your arguments and speculations, based on your interpretation of your observations. 6. Tables and Figures: These should be neat and properly formatted. They should clarify and explain the text. Choose them carefully. They are compliments to the text, not a replacement for it. A few well-chosen figures are better than an avalanche which confuse and distract the reader. 7. Literature Cited: Whenever you use a fact from another author in your paper, you must cite the paper so that your reader knows who is the genuine author of that fact . These papers are listed in the Literature Cited section and cited at appropriate places in the text of the paper. In the case of laboratory procedures, the main citation will be your laboratory manual. |
Grading Criteria for Laboratory Reports
STUDENT: ____________________________DATE: ____________________
Laboratory number: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (circle)
TOPIC:___________________________________________________________
FIRST DRAFT: SUBMITTED ACCORDING TO FORMAT? YES / NO
ON TIME? DUE DATE: _______DAYS LATE: ________PENALTY (%):_______
RETURNED FOR CORRECTION ON: DATE: __________
FINAL DRAFT:
ON TIME? DUE DATE: _______ DAYS LATE: _______PENALTY (%): _______
POSSIBLE POINTS: CRITERION
20 Conforms to required format:
10 Has all required sections _______
10 Sections are arranged according to format _______
10 Technical Execution:
5 Grammar and Spelling _______
5 Smoothly constructed, concise sentences and paragraphs _______
70 Content:
10 Abstract--A concise summary of the entire paper _______
10 Introduction--The reader can easily determine the background, rationale, and facts of the case.
The habitat or theoretical background is described and explained. The scientific question is stated and explained. _______
10 Materials and Methods--Explained clearly and concisely including analysis methods _______
10 Results--Organized and reported concisely. _______
10 Discussion and Conclusions--Explains the effect the results have on the scientific question. Advances the writer's arguments and conclusions. _______
10 Tables and Figures--Relate to and expand upon the text. Include captions and source citations _______
10 Literature Cited--Sources listed are primary. Sources are cited at the appropriate places in text. _______
OTHER PENALTIES:
Logic and the organization of the argument are inadequate.
General appearance is unacceptable.
This paper has a problem with plagiarism
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