1. The Laboratory Write-Up
What is it?
What do I need to hand in?

2. Science Inquiry Why do we complete labs?
To answer a question.
A Law describes a condition that has been observed so consistently that scientists are convinced it will always happen.

3. Science Inquiry

4. Components to a Laboratory Write-Up
Title
Purpose/Problem
Hypothesis
Materials/Apparatus
Procedure
Observations
Conclusion
Discussion

5. Title & Purpose Title Purpose/Problem
Definitive outline as to what your lab was actually about.
Purpose/Problem
Statement of purpose, or aim: why is the experiment being done?

6. Hypothesis Hypothesis – is an IF…THEN…BECAUSE statement.
If Alka-Seltzer tablet and water are mixed in a film canister, then the lid will explode off because the tablet and water will mix to form carbon dioxide bubbles which will create enough pressure to explode off the lid of the canister.

7. Materials/Apparatus
Usually will make a list to refer to what was used for the experiment in which you are attempting to answer a question.
Sometimes we will use lists and/or diagrams.
Sometimes will write:
See Ritter et al. Biology 11. Nelson. Toronto, ON p. 1-2.
The following changes were made:
List the changes

8. Procedure
Step by step process in which you outline what you did in your experiment in an attempt to answer your question.
Specifics
No abbreviations.
Main points only.
Sentence form.
A numerical or alphabetical listing of instruction.

9. Variables
Variables
Each factor that may determine the outcome of an investigation.
All variables must be controlled when completing an investigation except one.
Independent variable = Controlled variable
Dependent variable = Response variable that depends on what happens as a result of the independent variable
Control = treatment or experiment that you can compare with the results of your test groups.
Trial = the protocol is carefully designed to answer specific research questions through experimentation

10. Observations
What did you see when you completed your lab in the attempt to answer your question?
We will include qualitative observations in your write-ups.
Using words to describe what we see.
Flakes, lumpy, sand-like, fine, pasty, snow-like, crystals, granular, grains
Tables are the preferred organization method of data collected.

11. Conclusions
Come directly from your observations and should support or falsify your hypothesis.
Do not forget to restate the hypothesis that you are supporting or falsifying.
A hypothesis is not “sort of” correct, it is either correct or it is not based on what you have observed.

12. Discussion
Quite commonly this will be Analysis questions from the text.
However, some things to keep in mind:
Ways experiment could have been refined.
Sources of error.
Knowledge shared that could help explain the conclusion further.

13. What are citations?
A reference list includes all of the sources you have cited in your research paper. You must list your sources in a specific format.
What should I cite?
Direct Quote
Statistics
Diagrams, pictures, illustrations, charts, graphs, etc.

14. Citation Example
Author. “Title of Site or Page”. Date of posting or latest update. Name of sponsoring institution or organization. Date of access. <url>
“DNA Profiling”. 13 February Interpol. 24 March

15. Citation Rules REFERENCE LIST NOTES:
NOT in alphabetical order, but in order of which they appear in the research paper
NOT double-spaced
USE numbers

16. Citation Rules IN-TEXT REFERENCES:
Cited in text by number rather than author and date
Sources are numbered consecutively in the order in which they appear in the report