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Biology Lab Report Template

Objective

• brief statement of the topic being investigated

Hypothesis

• an educated guess as to the results of the experiment (remember to hypothesize regarding the objective of the lab, e.g., if the lab is about rate of a reaction, hypothesize on the what the rate might be.)

Background

• state and explain the biological principles or concepts used in the lab
• with a lab member, brainstorm principles and concepts to include in your background. Use your notes, book, lab handout, etc., for ideas.
• suggestion: start with the "huh, what?" definition (book definition) and then follow that up with the "what that really means is..." definition (your OWN words) and use examples!
• use the background to teach anyone reading the lab everything that they should know so that they understand what is happening.

Materials

• given in a list form
• 100 mL beaker
• thermometer (etc.)
• include an illustration of equipment set-up if helpful

Procedure

• should be in numbered list form
• should be easy to follow, e.g.:
1. Fill 100 mL beaker approximately halfway full with distilled water
2. Add 2 drops of phenolpthalein indicator to water.
3. (etc.)

Observations

• sensory (qualitative) observations: what was seen, smelled, felt, etc.
• put in table form

Data(for help with this section, review "How to Organize a Data Table" in the
"Helpful Documents" section of the Biology Home Page)

• measured (quantitative) observations
• any measurements actually read on a piece of lab equipment (not calculated on a calculator)
• put in table form (always include units in column headings)
• use graphs when appropriate
• line graph-when looking at the effect of one variable on another(continuously changing data)
• independent variable on x-axis (known before performing lab)
• dependent variable on y-axis (measured during lab)
• label both axes with item graphed AND units used
• bar graph-when comparing data
• pie graph-when presenting the parts of a whole

Analysis

• state whether your hypothesis was supported & provide evidence from the lab results
• discuss sources of error

Conclusion

• briefly summarize the experiment while tying in objectives
• give real-world examples