Writing a biology lab report can be a bit challenging, especially if you are a new biology student. There are specific rules that have to be followed when writing the report. The rules dictate the format and content that should be included in the report. Once you learn all the rules and can follow them, writing a biology lab report should not be so much of a problem. Some of the things that you need to know are highlighted below.
Creating the Title Page
When creating the title page, you should ensure that it is brief but concise. A reader should get a clear idea of what the lab report is about just by reading the title page. The best title should describe the experiment in less than ten words. Also remember to include your name to ensure that you receive all the credit for your work. For a group report, the name of all the group members should be included. You should also add the name of your instructor, the date, and the class title.
Writing the Introduction
Your introduction should give the entire framework of the report and highlight the primary purpose of doing the study. Stating the problem helps with that. It should also indicate how you intend to gain knowledge in the study. The introduction should state your hypothesis, as well. It is important to note that the results do not always confirm the theory. You should include any background information that may help the reader to understand the importance of the experiment.
Listing Materials and Methods
For this section, you should list all the materials that were used in the experiment and their descriptions. Include the specific amounts, measurements, and times used as well. The section should also have a step by step description of all the procedures used, with a high level of detail. Remember to write the paper using the past tense.
Explaining the Results
The fourth section should contain a description of the results that you get from the experiment. If possible, the results should be organized in tables, charts, and graphs. Identify any noticeable pattern or trends within the data.
Draw a Conclusion
The conclusion should include the summary of the data, possible errors in the experiment, and the interpretation of the results. Remember to list citations and give credit where it is due, after the conclusion.
