FROST LABORATORY WRITE-UP FORMAT

PRELAB WRITE – UP :

PURPOSE: This is written as a question and identifies what’s being tested (why the lab is being executed). This is to be written as an open-ended question. In other words, the purpose question cannot be answered with a mere “yes” or “no”, or other one word response.

Examples:

J Open – ended: How does amount of water impact the growth in height of Geranium plants?

L Close – ended: Will Geranium plants grow taller when given more water?

OR Which Geranium plants, the pink or white flowered, will grow the tallest?

HYPOTHESIS: This is written as a cause and effect statement in the form of “If …… then…” OR “I think ….. because …..”. The hypothesis is a possible answer to the purpose question. It’s what you think the answer is based upon your knowledge and research. The hypothesis cannot be changed after the lab is done. Scientists are wrong more times than they are right.

Examples: If Geranium plants receive more water then they will grow taller.

OR I think Geranium plants will grow taller with greater amounts of water because they will be able to photosynthesize more and thus have the necessary energy for growth to occur.

MATERIALS & PROCEDURE: The design of the experiment tests your purpose and hypothesis. List all materials used using a columnar or bullet point format. The procedure does not need to be copied verbatim from the textbook. You can condense it somewhat and write it in your own words. Sometimes changes or substitutions will be told to you by your teacher. The procedure is a list of numbered, sequential steps that tells how to execute each and every step of the experiment. Each step must start with a verb. BE SPECIFIC and concise. No compound sentences. The materials & procedure section is really like a recipe and anyone else should be able to follow it to conduct this same experiment.

At least 1 diagram of the experimental set-up is to be included in the procedure.

VARIABLES: The independent variable is the part of the experiment that is manipulated. It is what is being tested, as indicated by the purpose question, and should be measurable. For example, the amount of water given to the Geranium plants will be different for each plant. The effect of the amount of water is what is being tested with the plants. This is the only component of the experiment that can change. If an experiment has more than one independent variable, then it cannot be determined which independent variable the results are dependent upon. Factors other than the independent variable must remain constant and these are the controls in the experiment. In this example, the controls would be the amount of sunlight, temperature, type of plant, amount and type of soil, container size, fertilizer given, etc. The dependent variable is the data collected in your experimental observations – the height of the plant. In this example experiment the height of the plant is presumably dependent upon the amount of water (the independent variable).

OBSERVATIONS: The data table should be drawn with a ruler, or created using Excel, in advance and should have sections for both qualitative and quantitative observations. The table should have a title and each column needs a heading. Units can be written just once as part of the column heading in the quantitative column(s). When recording quantitative observations the independent variable (x-axis) is recorded in the left column of the table, and the dependent variable (y-axis) is recorded in the right column of the table. You will be given guidelines for recording observations before the lab. Leave extra space for recording unforeseen observations.

Example: Daily Amount of Water (ml) Plant Height (cm)

THE DAY OF THE LAB:

Record all observations in the data table you made. Be sure to include units for all quantitative data. Draw sketches, as instructed, with color pencil and label neatly.

CALCULATIONS: * Not all lab reports will have this section.* In this section, write all mathematical formulas you will be using to manipulate and analyze your gathered data. In many instances, the numbers that result from your calculations will be written in columns of your data table. If not, show all work and box final answers in this section of your lab report.

AFTER THE LAB:

GRAPHS: Graphs are to be a full page in size either drawn with a ruler on graph paper OR computer generated. Give your graph a specific title and label each axis with a title and units. Make the intervals along the axis “consistent and equidistant.” Plot ALL data points; even those that do not make sense. Line graphs are best for displaying data gathered over time. The independent variable (ie: time) is plotted along the x-axis and the dependent variable (ie: temperature, growth) is plotted on the y-axis. (In math, y is dependent upon x).

CONCLUSION: The conclusion should demonstrate your understanding of concepts. This can be accomplished by using terminology appropriately and clearly explaining results and inferences to demonstrate you know what you are writing about. Presume the reader is unfamiliar with this lab; both the experiment and the concepts involved.

> Re-state the purpose question in statement form (not as a question).

> Re-state your hypothesis. Compare your results to your hypothesis and indicate whether your data supports or refutes your hypothesis. Use examples of the data to support either case.

> Make inferences. What did you learn from your experiment? Answer your purpose question to the best of your ability and support with: 1) the data gathered from your lab, and 2) outside research (using parenthetical citations as taught in class). Convince the reader. Be sure to re-state data to support your inferences and conclusions.

> Analyze your graph(s) to help you understand your data and to find any trends. Does your data make sense? Is it what you expected?

* Essentially, the above part of the conclusion is persuasive writing. *

> Identify the known and/or possible sources of error in your experiment. We are all human and, thus, imperfect. Error is always a possibility. Also identify any factors you feel limited the scope or success of your experiment. You should list a minimum of 3 known/possible errors/limitations of this lab. What would you do different next time if you were to repeat this experiment?

> Lastly, relate the purpose or results of this lab to a real life situation outside of the classroom. To do so ponder these questions: How are these findings important in our world? How do they translate to our lives? What connections to our world or lives can you make? Why is this information useful?

MISCELLANEOUS:

Correct spelling and grammar should be used throughout the lab report. Although neatness and legibility are important, occasional strikethroughs or white-outs are allowed on handwritten reports, EXCEPT IN THE HYPOTHESIS. Do not re-write the pre-lab after the lab is completed. An entire lab report, or just the conclusion, may be word processed (in fact this is preferred) but the original (stamped) pre-lab is to be submitted with the final report, whether it was handwritten or typed.

If the pre-lab part of the lab report is not completed when you enter class the day of the lab, you will 1) write an apology to your lab partner for not fulfilling your responsibility, 2) lose 10% off the total score of your lab report, 3) spend class time writing/finishing the pre-lab component and finish for homework if needed, and 4) make up the experiment at another time.

In other words, be sure to be prepared. Each and every time it is assigned homework to bring goggles (essentially EVERY LAB DAY) it will be worth 5 points. Not bringing your goggles equals a score of 0/5. If you come to class without goggles on a lab day (if required and assigned as homework the night prior) you may use a pair on loan so as to still participate in the lab.

If you miss a lab due to absence, you have the same # of days to make it up. You can do so by copying the data from your lab partner. In some instances, you will need to schedule a lab makeup with the teacher for during supervised study. Be sure to bring your goggles to the make-up lab if you want to earn the 5 points.