Higher Level Biology

     Lab Report Configuration

Hi Everyone!

     Every week in our HL Biology class we conduct experiments based upon what we are learning in the class. For example, when we were learning about DNA, we did a lab where we extracted DNA from a banana. Doing experiments based upon what we are learning in class is very helpful because biology can be a little difficult at times. In my opinion, hands-on experiences help you learn better. Am I right folks? Yes, it is true that everyone is a visual learner, even when they say they aren't. But, you will notice that you perform and understand better when you get a hands-on experience. Something was brought to my attention from seeing the performances of other students in Biology: some students have difficulty writing Biology Lab reports. After every experiment you do in the class, you are instructed to do a lab report on how it was done and your findings/results of the experiment conducted. Here is a format/layout of a Biology lab report that I follow:

First and Last name                                     
Teachers name
Course
Date

Title of Experiment

I. Design

     Introduction:

     Purpose/Aim:

     Research Question:

     Hypothesis:

     Variables: (Independent, Dependent, Control)

     Materials:

     Procedure:

II. Data Collection and Processing

     Data Collection Process: (Here you would include pictures of your experiment)

     Observation: (Here you would describe what you saw and why that happened)

     Data Results: (Here you would include a chart/graph of your results

III. Conclusion and Evaluation

     Conclusion:

     Evaluation:

     Works Cited:

     
     For lab reports, you typically use MLA, which is a way of formatting your reports and papers. The best place to learn more about this format is:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

(The above source will guide you on how to format your research papers and other reports, and how to cite certain sources, like photographs, websites, magazines, etc). 

    For the introduction of your lab report, you should write about the topic of your experiment. For purpose/aim, you state the reason why you are doing the experiment, and what you hope to achieve from it. For example, the aim/purpose of my "Extracting DNA from bananas" lab was: "The purpose of this experiment is to learn the structure of DNA in a banana fruit. We also aim to understand the procedure and method of extracting DNA from a banana." Next, you state your research question, which is what you are conducting this experiment for. For example, the research question of my "Extracting DNA from bananas" lab was: "Is it possible to see the DNA of a banana without the use of a microscope?". Next is your hypothesis, which could be an if/then statement if you choose it to be. For example, the hypothesis of my "Extracting DNA from bananas" lab was: "If we remove the DNA from a banana, then we would be able to see the DNA without a microscope." Next are your variables. You should have an independent variable, a dependent variable and a control variable. An independent variable is the one that is changed on purpose, a dependent variable is what is affected by independent variable, and the control variable is the variable that remains constant. As for materials, you just list what you used for the experiment. For your procedure, you write a step by step description of what method you used for the experiment. In the observation/results, you state what your results were (maybe even include a chart or table). For the conclusion, you talk about your hypothesis and research question and whether or not you accomplished what you wanted to. Be sure to explain why, if you didn't! Lastly, you have to include a Works Cited. For example, I cited my teacher's (Mr. Stephen) lecture that he gave prior to the experiment.

*Remember to always ask questions when you are confused on something! Don't be afraid to ask, it will benefit you in the future!*

- Felicinda J.