space.template.Lab+Paper


 * Names of group members:**

This should tell me what the variables being investigated are and which is independent and which is dependent. -Generally follows the format of the effect of (independent variable(s)) on (dependent variable) or which impacts (dependent variable) the most? (independent variable 1, independent variable 2, or independent variable 3)
 * Title **

This section states the overall purpose and hypothesis of this experiment. Background information is used to carefully explain this hypothesis and provide the reader with a foundation to understand the experiment.
 *  Introduction **

 -Provides important scientific background information on the topic including important terms, variables that  -might impact results and should therefore be held constant or accounted for in analysis, information about how  to interpret results (such as what is “normal” or “hazardous”)  -Most importantly, the information in the introduction leads to the reader agreeing that the hypothesis is logical  and well supported by research into the behavior of the thing being investigated)  -Communicates the anticipated results (hypothesis), often at end but if it is multiple it might fit better in pieces    at the end of each paragraph   -Hypothesis statement should be in bold and should be specific and measurable. It should be about the    relationship between the independent and the dependent variable in your experiminet.  -Cut out any repetitive or unnecessary information. Make sure the introduction flows logically.

This section describes how the data in this experiment was collected. All important procedures are outlined to ensure that the results can be reproduced for verification. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -List the steps followed to complete the investigation in a #’d list, each step having its own #. Write in present <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> tense, command form. <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Describe any complicated equipment or set-ups using diagrams, maps and/or photographs, do not add diagrams <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> or pictures unless they are needed. <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -All steps must be detailed, quantitative if necessary, and in order. Make sure you are specific to what you <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> actually did. Do not say “choose a location” but describe the actual location you chose. <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -methods are well described and are a good design to test what you wish to test; they limit human and <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> experimental error and are as efficient and quantitiative as possible <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Details such as as “bring a pencil for writing down data, or “analyze data” are assumed and not part of the <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> methods. “Take density data” is not specific enough!
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Materials and Methods **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The Results section shows the data that was collected in an experiment and what is done with this data. This could include tables, graphs, and/or calculations. It should summarize the data from the experiments without discussing the implications or analyzing patterns.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Results **

<span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -The first thing in your results section should be your data table (s). Data tables with raw data present and <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> follow the guidelines given for good data tables <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Appropriate data analysis present including calculations, graphs and/or charts following guidelines for good <span style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> graphs and showing the significant patterns in the data with the focus on the pattern indicated in hypothesis.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In this section, the experimenter explains implications of the data and analysis presented in the previous section. This will include background information to support the hypothesis presented in the introduction.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Discussion **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Should begin by describing the major findings/patterns in data relative to the purpose of this experiment (is your hypothesis supported by the  <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> data or not?) making sure to reference the graphs in the results section in which this pattern is displayed. Use calculations! <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Attempts to explain the significant findings using background information and answer the question; why did this <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> happen?. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Be careful in the degree of certainty you give your explanations and findings (ex. suggests rather than proves). <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> Be aware of systematic or specific errors that affected the overall results of your experiment and explain how/why <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Describes any significant use these findings have. Why is this important to know, are your results <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> generalizable? Focus on scientific understanding and/or human impact) for conducting the experiment <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> -Makes recommendations for further study and improving the experiment.

**General Format Guidelines** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> -Never use “I” or “we”, you should write in a formal, scientific paragraph (except methods are #’d steps) style, <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> cut out unnecessary or repetitive sentences <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> -There will be 4 clearly labeled sections (Intro, Materials & Methods, Results, Discussion) The heading of each section <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> should be on its own line, in bold. The first line of each paragraph should be indented twice from the heading. <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> - All the rest of the paragraph will be indented once. This makes the heading alone on the left margin. <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> -All pages should be numbered and sections MUST be in the correct order, all data must be after the heading <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> “Results” and before the heading “conclusion” not attached at end. <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> -Double space all except the methods. It is appropriate to single space methods but leave a space after each <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> step. 12 Font. <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> -Spell check, grammar check, typo check and edit for clarity as you would for any formal writing assignment. <span style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -40.5pt; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> The final draft shall be free of all such errors.