The document outlines the key components that should be included in a lab report for a scientific experiment. It explains that a lab report should include a problem stated as a question, a hypothesis written in an "if...then" statement, a list of materials and procedures, descriptions of constants and variables, observations and data recorded in tables/graphs, and a conclusion that restates the hypothesis and refers to the data to accept or reject it. Key details like writing lists as vertical items and using proper units are emphasized.

1. KEEP THIS PAPER ALL YEAR! Name:
SCIENTIFIC METHOD NOTES
LAB REPORT EXPECTATIONS
 Problem- A scientific question that can be answered through
experimenting.
o To be written in the form of a question
o Must end in a question mark
o Must contain both variables
 Hypothesis- An educated (not wild) guess or prediction to the answer
of the problem question.
o Must written as an “If …..then” statement
o Must be based on research or prior knowledge (the IF part)
o Must predict an outcome to the experiment (the THEN part)
 Materials- a list of stuff you need to complete the experiment
o Must be written as a vertical list
o Each item must be numbered
o Quantities must be expressed in SI units (metrics)
 Procedure- The directions to completing the experiment
o Must be specific enough for someone to complete the
experiment as intended by the author.
o Must be written as a vertical list (not a paragraph)
 Constants- The components of the experiment that can not change in
order to maintain accurate and reliable data
o Must be written as a list
o Must be complete and thoughtful

2.  Variables- The parts of the experiment that change or are affected by
experiment or the experiment itself.
o Independent Variable- the part of the experiment that the
experimenter changes or manipulates
 Should be the first variable stated in the problem question
 There may be only one independent variable in an
experiment.
 Is usually the part of the experiment to be tested
o Dependent Variable-the part of the experiment that is affected
because of the independent variable
 Should be the second variable stated in the problem
question
 Is usually the part of the experiment to be observed or
measured
 Control- The factor of the experiment that is used as a comparison
o There is only one control in an experiment
 Observations- information gathered from using the senses
o Should be recorded to communicate findings of the experiment
o Should avoid inferring when recording observations
o DATA- is an organized presentation of observations
 Tables, charts, graphs organize numerical or
quantitative data
• Data that is measured
• Common in physical and earth science
 Graphing

3. • The independent variable is placed on the
horizontal or X axis
• The dependent variable is placed on the vertical or
Y axis
• Line graphs are used to show a change over time
• Bar graphs are used to show comparison
• Circle or pie graphs are used to show percentages
 Pictures, phrases, sentences organize qualitative data
• Data that is not measured
• Common in life science, such as biology
• Should still be organized in a chart or table
 Conclusions- A statement that uses the data to solve or answer the
problem question.
o Must be written in COMPLETE sentences
o Must restate the hypothesis
o Must refer to the data and use items from the data as examples
in order to support the solution statement
o Must accept or reject the hypothesis