- The document outlines the requirements for AP Biology lab notebooks including formatting, content, and structure. - Key requirements include using pencil, including identifying information on the cover, numbering pages, using third person, skipping lines between sections, and following specific formats for confirmation and inquiry labs. - Sections must include the title, date, pre-lab questions, objective, materials, procedure, data, analysis, conclusion, and be written in a specific format and order.

1. AP Biology Lab Notebook Requirements
Barkanic
All students will keep a separate notebook for lab.
Use a notebook that is best for your organization.
Pencil is best to use, as mistakes can be changed
On the front cover include these things --- "Subject" Lab Notebook, teacher name, student name, period
Make a table of contents in the front of the notebook which includes the lab number & title and the page on
which this lab write up can be found
As you add labs, number each page of the notebook in the lower right hand corner. Continue this page
numbering through all of the labs.
Always use third person (NO personal pronouns --- me, I, you, we, etc.) when writing all parts of a lab
report. (USE HE, SHE, THEY, THEIR, THEM, ETC.)
Skip a line between every section
Title and underline each section and then begin writing
Things to include:
Pre-lab questions
Title, date, name, partner(s)
Confirmation Lab
Objective/Problem
Background
Hypothesis (if applicable)
Materials and Methods
Data
Discussion and/or assigned questions
Inquiry Lab
Problem
Hypothesis
Materials
Step by Step Procedure
Data
o Raw data collected from lab organized properly
IF NOTEBOOKS ARE BEING COLLECTED ALSO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
Graphs (if applicable)
Analysis
Conclusion

2. Your lab report should be written using the following format:
Title (center on top line; on the right of line 2, put date & lab #)
The title should indicate clearly & concisely the subject and scope of the report.
Pre-lab questions – 15 points based on correctness
Confirmation Lab – 25pts
Introduction (Title-Hypothesis)–10 points
state the purpose of the investigation.
background information about the experiment.
This section may be two or more paragraphs in length.
The hypothesis should be a single statement telling the exact thing you are trying to prove in your experiment.
NEVER write this statement using "first person". Write the hypothesis in past tense (third person.)
Materialsand Methods (Procedure) – 5pts (Step-by-step)
Includes Materials and how you are going to use them in your procedure
Be thorough that someone can read it and understand what your experiment is, but do not get bogged down by
the details.
Results (Data & Questions/Discussion) - 10 points
All data should be collected and organized in a logical order. Results should be illustrated as charts, tables,
graphs, &/or diagrams. All graphs should include a title, the independent variable labeled on the horizontal axis,
and the dependent variable labeled on the vertical axis.
If required: All lab questions and answers should be included also with this section. ( NUMBER & UNDERLINE the
questions & then write, but DON'T UNDERLINE the answers)
Explain all observations and results in your experiment.
Analyze and interpret why these results were obtained.
Be sure to tell the significance or meaning of the results.
Inquiry Lab -45
Introduction (Problem-Hypothesis) – 10pts
Problem is clearly stated
Background – any additional information not mentioned in the confirmation lab or background need specifically
for the understanding of the inquiry investigation.
Hypothesis – see confirmation requirments
Experimental Design (Materials and Methods) - 15
Materials listed
Step by Step Procedure
Data and Analysis – 15
All data are placed in tables, Neat, with Titles,units
PROVIDE GRAPHS (IF NEEDED).
Each Graph is on a SEPARATE piece of GRAPH PAPER.
Analysis
o Use the biology background and data to analyze your data.
o In a real lab you would be trying to prove (or disprove your hypothesis).
o PROVIDE EXAMPLES from the tables and graphs.
o This is where errors would be, including how they impacted the lab. DO NOT make errors the focus of
the analysis
Conclusion– 5
Conclusion is clearly stated and in terms of Problem and hypothesis.
Scientific voice is used
Student clearly restates data, both quantitative and qualitative, in their explanation
Student offers a plausible explanation for unexpected outcomes