GUIDE TO PREPARING A LAB REPORT IN EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY

Type the LAB REPORT on A4 sized paper, using font Times New Roman, size 12, with line
spacing of 1.5. Use a page design with 2.5 cm margin, top and bottom, and 2 cm, left and
right.

Number your pages but do not include the Title or Appendices Pages in the numeration.
(Appendices are often numerated differently - Appendix i, Appendix ii, Appendix iii etc)

Write the LAB REPORT in the past or passive tense. Use full sentences whenever possible,
and also use subheadings, numbered sections and bullet points. Follow the numbering in this
guide and use the same Headings and Subheadings.

Footnote all your sources of information and make a complete bibliography.

Your LAB REPORT is a form of communication, so note the three C's:

● CLARITY
● COHERENCE
● CONCISENESS

Your LAB REPORT should be structured in the following way:

TITLE PAGE
Use the template provided, containing
● Your name
● Your class
● Institution & place (Liceo Campoverde, Quito)
● Date
● TITLE - The title of your LAB REPORT should be a clear, focused summative statement of
your investigation, which gives the reader an indication of your topic. It should not be phrased
as a research question. (See Note below)
● The research question (See Note below)
● Name of Supervisor
● ABSTRACT

Use the title and date as a repeating page header in the LAB REPORT.

Part 1: INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT

The Introduction provides the focus and scope of the Experimental Investigation.
It should contain:
1.1 Justification
Why undertake this investigation? What makes this investigation unique and special to
you? What observations have led to this investigation? (Ownership!)

1.2 Background and context

Your preliminary, background and supporting research. This section may be quite
long. For an experimental investigation, it is here where you will examine all your
variables. If you are also doing research, it is here where you describe and investigate
each of your critical axes. All aspects of the context should be covered.
 1.3 Research question
A statement of the problem to be investigated by means of a clearly stated research
question. (See Note below)

1.4 Hypothesis
A testable ‘if-then’ statement, followed by its justification. (You may want to
differentiate between a null and an alternate hypothesis. (See Note below)

1.5 Prediction: Brief statement of the general procedure and method employed to
answer the research question and test the hypothesis, with expected results.

It is quite probable and certainly allowable that you return to and complete the Introduction
after you have completed the main work of the experimental investigation.

Part 2: THE INVESTIGATION

A description of how the investigation was carried out. The goal is that the investigation is
described in a way which would enable another investigator to collect similar results and
arrive at a similar conclusion. The design of the investigation should lead to the collection of
statistically useful, quantitative results, in the form of primary and/or secondary data.

2.1 Method.
This part of the LAB REPORT will depend largely on what sort of investigation you are
conducting – experimental or research, or both together. You will need to adjust the
sub-headings accordingly.
Materials & Equipment
Variables - table, incl. how controlled variables are handled .
Procedures
Sources of secondary data
Risk Assessment & Safety (if appropriate)
Ethical and environmental considerations (if appropriate)

2.2 Results
Results should be tabulated and then treated - graphed and statistically manipulated - and
described. Results may be qualitative but should always be quantitative.

In most types of experimental investigation, results can be presented in the form of tables –
with titles; units of measurement; aiming for clarity and precision. If tables of results are not
appropriate, then it is important to devise a way to present your results in a clearly
manageable and visual way.

2.3 Treatment and analysis of results

2.3.1 Treatment of results
● Statistical or mathematical manipulation
● Graphing - graphs are best completed digitally and should have a title
 and a caption which is a brief sentence or two of explanation.
2.3.2 Analysis of results
● Note that this is not discussion
● Statements drawing attention to patterns, trends and relationships,
which can be used to interpret results.

It is important to draw attention to and quantify if possible, errors in the results, and to
highlight limitations – see Part 4, below.

Part 3: DISCUSSION
3.1 Discussion
This, in many ways, is the most important part of the entire investigation but does not have a
specific format – this depends upon the situation and your needs. Critically interpret your
results and try to draw out meaning from them. Keep the focus on a response to your
hypothesis.

In every way possible, you should be quantitative in your discussion, so that you have actual
numbers and figures to use when justifying your conclusion.

3.2 Conclusion
3.2.1 A statement of your conclusion. This should be directly derived from the
discussion of your results. The conclusion should be a simple statement of
support or rejection for your hypothesis
3.2.2 Justification for your conclusion. This uses your results and their analysis
and interpretation, to give support to your conclusion. Be careful here not to
repeat your discussion; draw attention to the interpretation and meaning, and
use the quantitative findings.

3.3 Meaning
Interpretation and implications. What is the meaning of these results and conclusions?
What is learnt from your investigation? Are there applications for your findings? Are
there surprises?

Part 4: EVALUATION
4.1 Identification of errors in the investigation, and their sources
Aim to identify at least three clear errors in your procedure or research, and quantify
these errors – what precise impact might they have had on your results and conclusion?
Errors may be Systematic, Random or Blunders.

4.2 Modifications and improvements

Propose how the three errors and limitations listed previously could be reduced or
eliminated - be scientific and exact.

4.3 Proposals for extension

● Questions which your research or experimentation has thrown up and which need
further investigation.
● A proposal for an alternative, if you rejected your hypothesis.
Part 5: BIBLIOGRAPHY
This should be a complete list of all resources and references used, including all that have
been footnoted. Follow the APA convention Edition 6 for referencing journals, books and web
pages, and for citing any sources used in the dissertation.

Make sure that every image, including your own photographs or drawings or graphs, in the
text of your report are properly acknowledged.

APPENDICES
You may not need to add anything as an appendix to your LAB REPORT. Any contents
included in this section are for further reference and have no direct relationship to your
investigation, its results and findings.

You may add tables or images or graphs which you consulted (or created) but which are not
necessary for a full understanding of your investigation, but which might enable a reader to
develop your ideas further.

Note
Topic v Title v Research Question v Hypothesis
It is important to understand the distinction between the terms topic, title, research
question and the hypothesis.

• The topic of the investigation is the subject, issue or theme that you are investigating. The topic,
which develops during the initial thinking about your experimental investigation, should later be
reflected in the wording of the title.

• The title of the investigation is a clear, summative statement that specifically focuses on the topic
being researched. It should be derived from the research question. It appears on the title page. A title
should:

● be short, descriptive and succinct

● not be phrased as a question
● use key words that connect with the topic and area of study
● attract the interest of the reader.

• The research question is expressed as a question that is intended to be answered through the
experimental investigation. It appears on the title page. It should:

● be clear and focused

● provide a path through which you can undertake an achievable investigation
● use keywords that connect with the topic, the title, and the area of study
● support the development of an argument.

• The hypothesis is a testable statement, often delivered in the structure of, if … then or because. Your
investigation should be focussed into delivering results which do scientifically answer the research
question by supporting or rejecting the hypothesis. The conclusions at the end of the investigation
should be directly related to the hypothesis.