Additional Comments and Instructions on Lab Reports

1. Conclusions: Use of graphs and tables to make points.

The main purpose of doing these lab reports is to learn how to collect and analyze data and then present your conclusions. The background information provided tells you why the experiment is being done, what to look for, and what microbiological principles are being "fulfilled". Conclusions are something you reach AFTER examining your graphs and tables. *In writing your conclusions, you should refer to your data, because it is from your data that your conclusions are arising.* If adding lysozyme to your M. luteus cells destroyed them, say something like "although there was no change in the control cells (line A), addition of lysozyme resulted in destruction of the peptidoglycan and subsequent rupture of the cells, resulting in a drop in OD (line B)." Use what you see in your data to support your conclusions.  Interpret your results. If the line goes down, don't just tell me the OD decreased (Duh! I can see that!). Also tell me why it decreased.

2. Writing: A lab report is like an essay question with data and serves a similar function: you must write the paper in such a way that it shows me that you understand the material being taught. There are several important points related to this.

Proofread your report! If it is not legible, fix it before passing it in. If you have trouble using the software, get help and fix it. If something doesn’t make sense, then there’s probably something wrong. Look for typos. Make sure the language is English. It often helps to have someone else read it. If you can’t be bothered to check the quality of the report before passing it in, it tells me you don’t care what kind of grade you get on it.

Plagiarism! If the lab report is an essay question with data, using someone else’s words is cheating. The lab report is to be written in your own words. If you don’t understand the material well enough to do that, then you have a lot of work to do before writing. DO NOT copy from the handouts I give you. I will MARK DOWN if you copy sections from a textbook and credit the author; I want your own words. If you lift passages from other texts or internet sites and don’t credit the source, you are stealing the author’s work. I will give you a ZERO on that section of the report or on the whole report, depending. See the syllabus for the University policy on plagiarism.

Detail in Procedures.  Handouts and comments during class describe the procedures you need to follow in great detail so you will have success. I do not need to read a description of them (you don't need to tell me that you should hold the cuvette by the ribbed side). Summarize the procedure, giving only enough detail that I can see how you did the procedure and that you understood why you did it.

3. Working with Excel: The software you use for writing reports is merely a tool. This is not a software course, and you’re not being graded on your ability to use software. That means if you are having problems using software, get help! I am not the world’s greatest authority on Excel, but I learn more every year and can probably help you solve any problem you have. But you have to ask! The type of graphs you will make are highly dependent on the type of data and purpose of the experiment, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what kind of graph you should make. To some extent, it’s a common sense issue. I strongly advise you to Click here to get some tips on Excel.