2. Created by: Marci Russell Bandung Independent School
Lab Write-Ups Grade 7
Created by: Marci Russell
Bandung Independent School

3. The Scientific Method Scientific inquiry begins with observation.
Ask a Question
Science inquiry involves asking questions and processing information from a variety of reliable sources.

4. Research Question: What is it you are testing?
The RQ should …
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Come from observations
Be clear
Be quantitative
One question
Explain what the lab is about
Include the independent and dependent variables.

5. Background Information
Background info should…
Clarify what your lab will be about
Remind readers about important scientific information
Introduce key points of the lab
Be at least ½ a page
Include key terms and cited information (min. 2 sources)
Include diagrams/pictures to support the information
Include person and global connections
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6. Hypothesis: an educated guess
The hypothesis should…
Be a statement (1 sentence)
Include the I.V. and D.V.
Be quantitative
Be clear and complete
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7. Explanation of Hypothesis
The explanation should…
Explain why you made the hypothesis
Be supported scientifically
Be cited if appropriate
Include a basic graph of how you anticipate the results.
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8. Variables Independent: what you are changing
There are 3 types:
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Independent: what you are changing
Dependent: what you measure
Constant: what stays the same
Link to The Simpson’s Variables Activity
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10. Materials: What do you need?
Materials (tools) should…
Be listed with bullet points or numbers
Include everything you will need
be quantitative
include units
Include volumes, masses, quantities, etc…
Use correct scientific vocab
Scientific names, brand names, etc…
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11. Method: What do I do? Give step by step instructions
The method should…
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Give step by step instructions
Be clear and easy to follow
Be quantitative
Include all steps even setting up the control variables
Include units

12. Method: What do I do? Safety/Ethical considerations
Apparatus/Equipme nt Setup
Recording Results
Analyzing Results

13. Uncertainties

14. Apparatus Set up

15. Data Collection Table Include only raw data Be easy to read
The d.c. table should …
Include only raw data
Be easy to read
Have at least 5 increments of I.V. and 5 trials
Show units and uncertainties
Include a title
Include I.V. and D.V.
Include data with consistent # of decimal points

17. Data Processing

18. Data Presentation

19. Conclusion Patterns/Trends in the graph of the results
Comparisons of IV increments
Comparisons with published data
Scientific Explanation Discuss qualitative data
Discuss raw data
Anomolous points (outliers)
Was the data related to the hypothesis or RQ
Did the data “support” the hypothesis
Suggest further investigations
Cite 3-5 sources (APA style)
1 page

21. Evaluation Analyze how sufficient the data is to address the RQ
Analyze the appropriateness of the range of IV
Anomolous points identified and explained
Qualitative data discussed
Was there random biological variation?
Measurement/Instrument errors
Problems with the method
Other limitations

22. Improving the Experiment
Are improvements realistic and achievable?
Do they address the RQ?
Are they specific and clear?
Citations are needed