AP Biology: How to write a lab report!, by Kendall Keelen on YouTube. 5 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Read the rubric first and note how many points each section is worth. Write the title last: it should state what you tested, not just the lab name.
Write the introduction in two or three sentences. Give the biological concept behind the lab, then narrow down to the question your experiment answers.
State your hypothesis as an if-then sentence that names the independent and dependent variables. Say what you expect and why, using the background research.
List your materials with amounts and sizes, such as 10 mL of 5 percent solution or a 250 mL beaker. Then describe the procedure in past tense, step by step, in enough detail that someone else could repeat it.
Build a data table with a clear title, labelled columns and units in the headings. Record the raw numbers first, then add any averages or percentages in a separate column.
Draw or plot a graph of the dependent variable against the independent variable. Label both axes with the quantity and unit, add a title, and use a line of best fit if the data is continuous.
Write the results section in words without interpreting anything yet. Point out trends, outliers and the direction of change your numbers show.
Write the discussion by linking your results back to the hypothesis. Say whether it was supported, explain any unexpected data, and name one source of error and how it affected the numbers.
Finish with a conclusion of two or three sentences that answers the original question. Add a references list for any source you used, formatted in your teacher's required style.
Tips and common mistakes
Write the methods and results sections while the lab is still fresh, then do the discussion the next day.
Keep raw data and calculated values separate so a reader can check your work.
Never leave a graph without axis labels and units, since that is one of the most commonly lost points.
Use past tense and passive voice for the procedure, such as 10 mL was added, not I added 10 mL.
Questions
Does a lab report need a title page?
Usually not for AP Biology, but check your teacher's rubric. A short heading with your name, date, lab title and class period at the top of page one is normally enough.
What goes in the discussion that is not already in the results?
The results section only reports what the numbers show. The discussion explains why that happened, whether the hypothesis held up, and what errors or limits affected the data.
How many sources should I cite?
Two or three solid sources are plenty for a class lab. Use your textbook plus a reliable reference for the background biology, and cite anything you did not know before the lab.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
