Student Name (candidate number)

This template is designed to help organise the write up [bracketed] notes are general points
of advice more detail can be found on the Bioknowledgy wikispace. It is strongly advised that
students self-mark lab reports using the resources on Bioknowledgy before handing it in.

[IV = independent variable, DV = dependent variable, CV = control variable]

Research Question: [Phrased in a similar format to What is the effect of the IV upon the
DV?]

Background information:
[Scientific theory is used to describe and explain how the chosen IV affects changes in the
organism/biological material being dealt with.]

[Explain why the chosen DV is a good measure of change in the organism/biological material]

[Citations are used effectively to support the background. Textbooks should be the first port of
call when looking for a citation.]

Hypothesis:

[The hypothesis should be based on the theory identified in the background]

[A graph should be sketched to illustrate the hypothesis]

[Where possible the hypothesis should be quantified, e.g. It is expected that the optimum pH
for the activity of catalase to be 6.2]

[If comparing means / testing for significant difference then it is helpful to phrase the
hypothesis in the H1/H0 format]

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)
Variables:
Variables (Independent,
dependent, control,
uncontrolled)
Independent variable
[Describe the independent
variable]
Dependent variable
[Describe the dependent
variable]
Control variables
[What variables need to be
kept constant to ensure a fair
test?]
Uncontrolled variables
[Variables that might affect
the investigation, but are
impractical to control]
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(discuss) Likely impact upon How the variable will be
the investigation changed/
measured/controlled
[Explain how would [What values have been
changing this variable chosen]
would effect the [Why have these values
dependent variable] been chosen]
[Explain why is the chosen [How will measurements
variable is a good be taken?]
measure to answer the [Do any calculations such
research question] as a reaction rate need to
be done?]
[Discuss how and why [Suggest how these
these variable might variables will be kept
impact the data collected] constant and if necessary
how they will be
monitored]
[Discuss how and why [Suggest how the effect of
these variable might the variable could be
impact the data collected] minimized and/or
monitored, if possible]
(Chris Paine)
Student Name (candidate number)
Apparatus:
[List all equipment used]

[Include all items, quantities, concentrations, volumes, masses etc., for measuring equipment
uncertainties]

Method:
[The method should be a numbered/bulleted list]

[The method must describe how to manipulate the IV, including specific details of range or
increments.]

[The method for recording results, including units and uncertainty of tools should be
described.]

[Each control and uncontrolled variable identified in the variables table should be addressed.]

[A diagram or photo of the experimental setup helps to make a complex equipment setup
clear]

[Annotate/label diagrams and photos to give them value and explain their relevance.
Annotations maybe done in the main text as an alternative to including annotations in the
diagram.]

[Make sure the method is clear, specific and easily replicated. This is best done by getting a
person not familiar with your work to read through the method and the explain it back to you.]

[If the chosen method is based on or adapted from a published protocol then the original
protocol must be cited.]

Choice of data processing and presentation:

[Only required if this is a design only lab.]

[Outline how raw data will be processed, including mean values.]

[Outline what statistical tests, e.g. std dev, t-test need to be done.]

[Outline how the processed data will be presented. This is most easily done by referring to the
graph included in the hypothesis.]

Safety and Ethical considerations:

[Comment on possible hazards, environmental, ethical and social impacts of the work, and
say how they will dealt with to minimise the impact]

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)
Raw Data:

[Clear table(s) with:

- Title this should refer to the headers
- Descriptive headers, e.g. not just temp, but temp of the mixture of amylase and
starch
- Units and uncertainties]

[When quoting units use the same units as for the uncertainties, this is good practise.]

[Use seconds rather than minutes:seconds if the variable is time. It is clearer and later avoids
human errors in data processing.]

[If stated in the method that measurements are to be taken, even if only to monitor a control
variable, it still needs to be included in the raw data.]

[Name other students who collaborated in the data collection.]

Qualitative data:
[This is important as it demonstrates critical thinking]

[Comment on:
- Variation within the organism/biological material being are dealt with
- Colour, texture, shape, size, heat changes
- Anything notice that might affect results, but cant put a number on]

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)
Processed data:

[Avoid reiterating raw data]

[If there is a single table with processed and raw data then indicate which is raw data and
which is processed]

[Are calculations needed to make calculations to determine the DV? For example:
- Rate of reaction = volume, distance etc. / time
- % Change = (end start) / start x 100
- Anything else that is appropriate?]

[If calculations are made to determine the DV then remove the uncertainty from the header.
Uncertainty is now variable and cannot be expressed as an absolute value.]

[The significant figures in the calculated DV should match the significant figures in the raw
data. For example if the uncertainty of raw data is 0.01g then the % change should be 0.00
if the maximum value is greater than 1 and less than 10 and 00.0 if the maximum value is
greater than 10, but less than 100.]

[Work out the mean and standard deviation of the calculated DV for each value of the IV. If no
calculation is made to determine the DV then simply the mean and standard deviation of the
raw data.]

[The mean and standard deviations should be quoted in the same units and uncertainties, if
present, as the data they are calculated from.]

[If comparing means, i.e. the data is in the 2 IV values x 10 repeats format additionally a t-test
should be completed to reinforce the conclusion]

[A clear table with title, headers, units and uncertainties if appropriate]

[Show calculations and sample workings. This is most easily done by screen shots of MS
Excel formula.]

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)
Presentation:

[For almost all labs an appropriate graph can be added here]

[Graph(s) should be of processed data, not raw data]

[Graph should resemble the one used in the hypothesis]

[Graph axis labels, units and uncertainty should directly reflect the headers used in the
processed data table]

[Numbers displayed on the axes should be to same number of decimal places as the data
they are based on]

[Graph titles should be descriptive and refer to the axes labels]

[Graphs should occupy a minimum of a page, the larger it is the easier it is to read]

[The default choice of graph should be a scatter plot. If comparing means, i.e. the data is in
the 2 IV values x 10 repeats format bar charts maybe chosen instead, though a scatter plot
will work]

[If standard deviation is available error bars based upon it should be added]

[The source of the error bars should be explicitly declared. It is recommended that this is
included directly under the title, but in a smaller font.]

[If the data is in the 5 IV values x 5 repeats format then a best-fit curve should be added, if a
clear trend is observable]

[Best-fit curves, or straight line if appropriate, do not have to touch the plotted values, but
should aim, if possible, to at least go through the error bars.]
[First fit curves should start in line with the smallest x-value and end in line with the largest
one. Additionally they should only go through the origin if data supports it.]

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)
Conclusion:

[If looking for trend/correlation, i.e. the data is in the 5 IV values x 5 repeats format]
[Comment on the processed data:
- Is there a pattern to the data described by the best-fit curve? Positive/negative
correlation, straight line, bell shaped curve, u-shaped, s-shaped, does it plateau?
- Quote values in the description.
-
[Comment on error bars:
- How large are the error bars? The smaller they are the stronger the correlation is.
- Are there any anomalies in the raw data that explain abnormal large error bars?
- Do the size of the error bars make a valid conclusion difficult to reach?

[If comparing means, i.e. the data is in the 2 IV values x 10 repeats format]
[Comment on the processed data:
- Is one bar on the chart/mean value is higher than the other? Quote values and
names of the IV values.]

[Comment on error bars:

- Is there an overlap of error bars? The larger the overlap the less likely the means
are to be significantly different from each other.
- Does the t-test confirm the observations made in the previous point?
- Are the error bars similarly sized? If different does this indicate possible errors or
simply natural variation?
- Are there any anomalies in the raw data that explain abnormal large error bars?
- Do the size of the error bars make a valid conclusion difficult to reach? This maybe
already answered if the t-test is available]

[For all]
[Comments on the raw data should be in reference to anomalies or unusual trends, in the
main when talking about data the focus should be processed data and mean values.]

[Comment on the qualitative data:

- What impact might the qualitative data of had upon the findings?
- Does it make the measurements likely to be skewed, i.e. all too large or too small?
- Does the qualitative data indicate a possible reason for the natural variation seen in
the data?
- Does the qualitative data make it more difficult to come to a valid conclusion?]

[Refer back to scientific theory and the citation(s):

- What do the results indicate in terms of the IV and DV?
- How does the DV link to, and help answer, the research question?
- Does the data support accepted theory?
- Are the results consistent with published data?
- Discuss the data in relation to scientific theory.]

[Justify what is judged to be the level of support (use the correct language) for the hypothesis
by referring to points/arguments made previously in the conclusion]

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Student Name (candidate number)

[Refer back to the research question, better restate it and discuss how well it has been
possible to answer it]

[Suggest next steps and extensions based upon the conclusion:

- If the level of support is strong look to extend the investigation, possibly look at
different independent variables
- If the level of support is weak look to repeat the investigation, possibly modify the
method, change the way the dependent variable is measured or collect more data,
carry out more repeats]

Evaluation:

Equipment errors
Piece of Uncertainty Smallest % % error > 5%? suggested improvement
equipment amount error possible effect
and usage measured on data and
magnitude of
weakness/error
?

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)

Evaluation of experimental errors

weakness/source of error possible effect on data and suggested improvement
magnitude of
weakness/error
Independent variable
[Appropriate range
chosen?]
[Manipulated effectively?]
Dependent variable
[Method of measurement
effective?]
[Precise enough
equipment used?]
Control variables
[Was each control
variable effectively
controlled or not?]
Uncontrolled errors
[Did std dev / qualitative
data indicate any impact
of biological variation?]
[Was effective monitoring
carried out to minimize
the impact of these
variables?]
[Could these errors be
controlled?]
Qualitative Data
[Observations might well
be used implicitly in other
sections]
[How might have the
observations made
affected the
investigation?]

[Identify sources of error as random or systematic where appropriate]

[Suggest specific, measurable improvements for each and every weakness/source of error, if
no improvements are necessary state that instead]

[If improvements refer to a change of equipment the correct name, size and where possible
the uncertainty should included in the description of the improvement]

Bibliography:

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)

Student Name (candidate number)
[Cite all references using a standard convention, e.g. MLA]

https://bioknowledgy.wikispaces.com/ (Chris Paine)