Lab Notebook Example 2020-21

**Please note that the title format is Incorrect.

The Variables that are to be placed after the hypothesis is missing.

The page numbers are missing.**

Sections to be Included for Mini-Lab Write-up.

Title - points  (center on top line; on the right of line 2, put date & lab #)

• The title should indicate clearly & concisely the subject and scope of the report. 
• Example: - “The Effect of Temperature on Tropical Plant Growth”

Research Question - points (Problem)

• What question is your laboratory experience addressing?
• Must be an open-ended question.
• Example: - "How does the amount of sunlight reaching plant leaves affect plant growth?"

Hypothesis - points  (SINGLE SENTENCE) (If applicable)

• The hypothesis should be a single if-then statement telling the exact thing you are trying to prove in your experiment.
• Identify the independent and dependent variables within the hypothesis.
• NEVER write this statement using "first person".  
  
• Write the hypothesis in past tense and in third person.

Results - points {Data Tables; Charts; Graphs; Pictures}

• Step 1: If you haven't already done so, create appropriate TABLES, GRAPHS, and other figures to enable you to visualize your lab data. Use a spreadsheet program or table function in a word processing program. If your lab data consists of only drawings, or observations, you may want to organize these in tabular format as well. If not, go to Step 2. Remember that representing your data in a visual format will allow you to identify trends, relationships, and other patterns in your data more easily. LABEL EACH VISUAL (Ex: -Table #1; Graph #3)
  
• Step 2: Once you have generated visual representations of your data, determine the best order for presenting the visuals. If the proper order for visuals is already determined by the lab manual, go to step three.
• Step 3: Review all the data from your experiment. In a sentence or two, summarize the main finding of this lab. This is the opening sentence(s) of the Results section that follows the data tables, charts and/or graphs.
• Step 4: In separate paragraphs, summarize the general finding in EACH of your visuals--tables, graphs, drawings, or other figures. First, describe any relationship or interaction which exists among variables for each visual. Then include any specific details from the visual(s) that are important for understanding the results. REFER to your tables, graphs, drawings, or other figures as figure or table 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Step 5: Complete the Results by placing all the elements you've written in the proper order: (1) the sentence summarizing the overall data for the lab; (2) the paragraphs of word descriptions for each visual arranged in the order the visuals are presented. Remember that the Results only reports and describes what you observed and collected during your lab. The Results does not explain, discuss, or draw conclusions.

Discussion/Data Analysis/Conclusion - points

• Step 1: For the opening paragraph of the Discussion, explain what the findings mean in terms of the scientific concept or laboratory procedure of the lab. In other words, discuss the connection between the evidence you collected and what you were supposed to be learning about by doing the lab. If necessary, refer to graphs, drawings, tables, lists, or other visuals from the Results to support your explanation.
• Step 2: Write a paragraph summarizing what you have learned about the scientific concept or procedure of the lab. Back up your statement with details from your lab experience.
• Step 3: There may be more that you have learned about from the lab experience that is not directly related to the main focus of the lab, the scientific concept or lab procedure. If so, describe it in a paragraph or two.