QUESTION

Midterm Lab Report Instructions

Conduct the experiment in Midterm Lab Manual. Fill out questions in the lab manual to guide your experiment and organize your results and conclusions. Take pictures of your experiment prior to beginning once you have all of your equipment set up, in the middle of the experiment and at the end of the experiment.

For each lab, Create a “Student Information Card” to be pictured in each photo with:

• the name of the lab
• the date you are performing the lab
• my full name and signature (Joshua Southard)

This card should be the approximate size of half of an 8×10 piece of paper, so that all information is clearly visible in your photo. This card should be displayed in each of the lab specific photos. If you do not include this card, you will receive 0 points on the lab report.

Record your detailed observations and results throughout the experiment. Once you have conducted the experiment and completed the Lab Report, write a 3 page lab report in essay format (MLA) summarizing the experiment, results and conclusions. See below for the grading rubric.

• Minimum length of 3 pages of text, double-spaced, not including pictures and figures. 20 points.
• Lab Report must include the following sections (separated by bold headers corresponding to those below). 5 points.
• Introduction: 2-3 paragraphs introducing the biological concepts covered in the lab, including references to sources. Last paragraph of introduction should contain 2-3 sentences introducing the lab design. 50 points.
• Methods: 2-3 paragraphs detailing the methods that you used to perform the lab. Do not cut and copy these from the lab manual. Write these in sentence form and do not use numbers or bullet pointed lists. Include every detail you performed so that the reader would be able to perform the lab exactly as you did if they were trying to repeat it. Include pictures/diagrams where necessary. 50 points.
• Results: 2-3 paragraphs summarizing the results of the experiment. Use the Lab manual as a guide for the type of information to include here. Create figures (bar plots, scatterplots, etc) in Microsoft Excel from the completed tables from the Lab manual. Do not insert the tables from the Lab manual into the document, as I expect further synthesis of these results. Insert pictures of the completed experiment. 50 points.
• Discussion & Conclusion: 2-3 paragraphs discussing the results of the experiment, what the results mean, and how they relate to the biological concept under study. Reference outside sources where appropriate. Discuss 2-3 errors while avoiding the term human error. (Random Error and Systematic Error) Include a paragraph on your experience and impressions of the lab and what you learned. 50 points.
• References: Include MLA properly formatted references and in-text citations. A minimum of three sources are required. 25 points.

• ANSWER

• Midterm Lab Report: [Lab Name]

  Student Information Card:

  Lab Name: [Lab Name]

  Date: [Date of Experiment]

  Student Name: Joshua Southard

  Signature: [Your Signature]

  Introduction

  In this lab, we explore and apply various biological concepts relevant to the subject matter. [Lab Name] focuses on [briefly describe the biological concepts covered in the lab]. The purpose of this experiment is to [provide a concise summary of the lab design and objectives]. By conducting this experiment, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of [biological concept] and its practical implications. To ensure accurate and reproducible results, we followed the methods outlined below.

  Methods

  To perform this experiment, the following methods were employed. It is important to note that these methods have been presented in sentence form for clarity and ease of replication:

  [Describe each step of the experiment, detailing the equipment used, procedures followed, and any variables or controls involved. Include pictures or diagrams where necessary to enhance understanding.]

  Results

  The results obtained from the experiment can be summarized as follows: [Provide a concise summary of the experiment’s findings]. The data collected during the experiment was analyzed and synthesized to generate visual representations, such as bar plots, scatterplots, or other relevant figures, using Microsoft Excel. These figures provide a clear overview of the results and allow for further analysis and interpretation. Please refer to the attached pictures of the completed experiment for visual reference.

  Discussion & Conclusion

  The findings of this experiment have significant implications for our understanding of the biological concept under study. [Discuss the main findings and their relevance to the broader field of biology]. By referencing appropriate outside sources, we can further support our analysis and interpretation of the results. Additionally, it is essential to address potential errors that may have influenced the outcomes of the experiment.

  Two types of errors can occur during experiments: random errors and systematic errors. Random errors are unpredictable variations that may arise due to factors such as measurement imprecision or environmental fluctuations. Systematic errors, on the other hand, are consistent inaccuracies resulting from flawed equipment, biased procedures, or other systematic factors. By acknowledging the possibility of errors, we demonstrate a thorough understanding of the limitations and potential sources of variability in our experiment.

  In conclusion, this lab provided a valuable opportunity to apply and reinforce biological concepts through hands-on experimentation. It allowed for a deeper understanding of the subject matter and its practical implications. Personally, this lab experience has enhanced my knowledge and skills in the field of biology, while also highlighting the importance of meticulous experimental design and data analysis.