Lab Reports

I. Google Document Title: Please follow this title format for all google document lab reports

LAB: Class Period - Initials (and group member initials if this is a group lab report) - Name of LAB Performed

Example: LAB: Period 1 - RL, MC, BW - Reaction in a Bag

II. Cover Page: A specific and concise informative name for the experiment or research study performed.Your name should come first. If it is a group write-up, it can be written alphabetically. Then you will write your affiliation followed by the date. This will be right under the title.

Example:

Qualitative Analysis of a Chemical Reaction

John Doe and Susie Someone: Niles North High School, August 29th, 2011

III. Purpose: The overall objective and significance of the performed experiment or research study. This should be succinct, but clear.

Examples:

1. “To observe a chemical reaction in a bag.” (lacking and non-specific)
2. “The purpose of this experiment was to analyze the chemical reaction between sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, phenol red, and water through qualitative observations and the use of the scientific method.” (much better)

IV. Background: Should contain several reputable background sources when group or students do not have any prior knowledge regarding the experiment to be tested. This material will be translated into the group's own words. Should be clear and to the point.

V. Hypothesis: Your hypothesis should be something that you can actually test. This is called a testable hypothesis. In other words, you must be able to measure both, "what you do in the lab" and "what will happen" as a result of conducting the trials in the lab.

Examples:

1. Aphid-infected plants that are exposed to ladybugs will have fewer aphids after a week than aphid-infected plants which are left untreated.
   • This hypothesis gives a clear indication of what is to be tested (the ability of ladybugs to curb an aphid infestation), is a manageable size for a single experiment, mentions the independent variable (ladybugs) and the dependent variable (number of aphids), and predicts the effect (exposure to ladybugs reduces the number of aphids).
2. Ladybugs are a good natural pesticide for treating aphid infected plants.
   • This statement is not 'bite size.' Whether or not something is a 'good natural pesticide' is too vague for a science lab experiment. There is no clear indication of what will be measured to evaluate the prediction.

VI. Variables Tested: Specifically state all relevant details for each variable below.

1. Independent Variable - The independent variable is the one condition that you change in an experiment.
   • Example: In an experiment measuring the effect of temperature on solubility, the independent variable is temperature.
2. Dependent Variable - The dependent variable is the variable that you measure or observe. The dependent variable gets its name because it is the factor that is dependent on the state of the independent variable.
   • Example: In the experiment measuring the effect of temperature on solubility, solubility would be the dependent variable.
3. Controlled Variable - A controlled variable or constant variable is a variable that does not change during an experiment.

VII. Materials: This section should be bullet pointed. The reader should know the quantity and type of each item required in order to properly conduct the lab.

Example:

• 1 - 250 mL Beaker
• 4 - 10 mL Graduated Cylinders
• 100 g of NaCl
• 2 - Microspatulas
• 1 - Mass Scale
• 2 - Bottles of DI Water
• Goggles Required
• Latex/Nitrile Gloves Required

VIII. Safety: This section should be bullet pointed. All relevant safety information should be stated within this section.

Example:

• Concentrated sulfuric acid present in lab. If skin contact is made, immediately flush with water for an extended period of time.
• Known chemicals are corrosive to organic tissue. Glove must be worn.
• All chemicals can be disposed of in the drain.
• Goggle must be worn during this lab.
• Latex/Nitrile glove must be worn during this lab.
• Lab aprons must be worn during this lab.

IX. Procedure: Think of this as your recipe. Each step should be clear, to the point, and specific with how to properly conduct the lab experiment. Any chemistry student should be able to repeat your experiment based on the written account of your procedure.

Example A: (lengthy and unclear)

1. Open the bottle containing the sodium compound. Add some to the bag.
2. Open the bottle containing the calcium solid. Add a pinch to the bag.
3. Squirt a bit of phenol red into the bag.
4. Watch the reaction and record everything that you see happening.

Example B: (clear and specific)

1. Obtain sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, and phenol red.
2. Add the following, in order, to your zip-lock bag:
   • 1 spatula full calcium chloride solid
   • ⅓ spatula full sodium bicarbonate solid
   • 1 dropper full squirt of phenol red solution
3. Record all observations from sight and touch.

X. Data and Result Discussion: This section will include your data tables, averages, and summary of results. Do the results agree with what others have found?

Example:

1. “Through this experiment, the effect of the amount of phenol red solution was observed. It impacted gas formation. This was measured qualitatively using a scale of ‘slight’, ‘light’, ‘moderate’, and ‘heavy’ to describe the amount of gas formed upon initiating the reaction. Upon adding 1 dropper full of the solution to the zip-lock bag, the reaction exhibited a ‘light’ bubbling. An increase in bubbling was seen until ‘heavy’ bubbling was observed in the trial using 4 dropper fulls of phenol red...”

XI. Conclusions: These are your final thoughts. What do your results suggest? Your concluding piece should revisit and highlight upon the objectives found within the “Purpose” section. Keep it concise and clear.

Example:

1. “This experiment demonstrates the effect of the amount of phenol red solution on the amount of gas formation. Higher ratios of phenol red solution to that of the other reactants will yield a greater degree of gas formation. As this study focused on the qualitative nature of this reaction, the results suggest that further quantitative study is favorable and should validate these claims.”

XII. References: Use MLA format for all citations. Purdue University’s writing center is a great resource (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/). This section will be used for citing safety information, consulted publications, and other resources that were used to validate your results and/or conclusions. Images, figures, and chemical reactions gathered from other sources should also be cited.

***A rewrite of Mr. Nocella's Report Guidelines