LAB REPORT GUIDELINE

Each student is expected to independently write the required report as listed in the laboratory schedule. This report is worth 60 points.  Submitting a report is a two stage process, involving a draft and then a final copy. A draft of each report is to be submitted by the date stated in the laboratory schedule. 

A  penalty policy has been implemented for delinquent reports.  All reports not submitted on time (during your scheduled lab) will be considered as late. All late papers will be only accepted up to one week after the original due date.  Six points will be deducted daily, including weekends, for all late papers (either final or draft versions).  If it is more than one week late, there will be absolutely no credit. The draft will be critiqued by the instructor and returned with comments graded for 40 points. Then, you have two weeks from the time the report is returned to rewrite it and submit a final copy (20 pt.) for a grade. Late final copies will be subject to the same penalties as for drafts.

(You can use the hyper-link at the bottom of this page to view an example of a scientific paper to serve as a model for preparing your report, especially for the tables, figures and literature citations. Please, review it carefully!)

Deadlines and Points allocation for Research Paper.

1st draft due October 26/27th (40 pts).
Paper graded and returned on November 14/15th
Final paper due with original graded first draft on November 28/29th (20 pts).  (Graded and returned December 7/8th)

Each report must be prepared according to the following guidelines:

a. Reports should be generated on a word-processer, double spaced 2 point font except for any calculations. Subheadings required—Intro, materials and methods, Results, Discussion, literature cited
b. Graphs must be prepared on graph paper, with axes, labels, headings data points and lines in black or colored ink. Graphs may be computer generated and, if appropriate, curve fitting and statistical modules can be applied to the data sets.
c. tables may be hand written or computer generated.
d. Paper to be Collated and stapled in upper left-hand corner.
e. Severe penalties if your paper is not your own work.  Must not copy anyone’s work-- published work or colleagues (your fellow students).  Paraphrase or write in own words and do not quote the work of others. Plagiarism (copying others’ works) is never acceptable.

Your critiqued draft must be submitted along with your final copy. Each report must contain the following sections. Note the statements indicating what each section should contain. The total point values allocated for each section (draft plus final versions) are given in parentheses. 

Additional specifics for you paper this semester (Fall 2007) are given.

TITLE PAGE (1 point; 1/2 point for final) This needs to be on a separate page from the rest of the report. Select a short, specific title, not some general statement. What did you specifically investigate? What parameter(s) did you alter? If appropriate, indicate the organism used and the specific aspect of that organism you investigated. Below the title, list your name.  Near the bottom of the page list the course, your laboratory section number and the name of your laboratory instructor.

ABSTRACT (3 points;1 ½ points for final) Write a concise summary of your paper. It must include a statement of the research problem, a brief description of what was done, the results obtained and the conclusions drawn from the study. The abstract should be capable of conveying the purpose and essence of your work to the reader if published independently from the rest of your report.

INTRODUCTION (5 points; 2 ½ for final) Introduce the main subject of the experiment with some background statements. Refer to and cite any references used, such as the text and laboratory manual. State the hypothesis. What results are expected in this experiment?

MATERIALS AND METHODS (5 points; 2 ½ for final) Write a description of the equipment, organisms (including scientific names, age, and culture condition), chemicals, and procedures (protocols) used. You should refer to the detailed procedures in the laboratory manual, and cite the laboratory manual. This section should not be a list, but should be presented in a narrative form that is sufficiently detailed for others to duplicate.

RESULTS (12 points; 6 for the final) Summary Tables and Figures (graphic presentations of your data) are expected (not the actual pages of summary data provided). Some narrative description of the data must be included. All Tables and Figures must have titles (captions for Tables and legends for Figures). Captions of Tables are placed above the Tables, and legends of Figures are placed below the Figures. See the sample article provided in class. (Additional directions may be given concerning statistical treatment of data.)

DISCUSSION (12 points; 6 for the final) Give interpretations and explanations of the results of this experiment. Did the results confirm or contradict the hypothesis? What were possible sources of error? What conclusions can you draw from your results?

LITERATURE CITED (2 points, 1 for final) Your references must be cited according to the format used in the sample article.

Click Here for an example of formatting for research article. The text is representative of the type of format to be adopted for the research paper assignment for Biology 211A and should be used as a model for format and style only. Please note that the contents of this web document do not accurately reflect the content of the original published article and should therefore not be used as a scientific citation or used in any other scientific context. Persons interested in the content of the article should directly consult the referenced Journal or the corresponding author.