Plant Physiology (Biology 327) - Dr. Stephen G. Saupe; College of St. Benedict/ St. John's University; Biology Department; Collegeville, MN 56321; (320) 363 - 2782; (320) 363 - 3202, fax; ssaupe@csbsju.edu |
Checklist for the Preparation of Laboratory Reports
This checklist is adapted from the instructions to authors from the American Journal of Botany and Plant Physiology. Authors who submit a manuscript to these journals are required to complete a similar form. This serves as a quality-control step to ensure uniformity and make it easier to edit the manuscript. Similarly, we will complete this checklist for every lab report that you prepare in this course. Append a completed copy of this checklist to the end of your lab reports.
I. Format: | |
q | Type manuscripts on "8� x 11" paper. Double-space throughout. |
q | Assemble manuscript in this order: Title page, abstract page, text (introduction, methods, results, discussion), acknowledgments, literature cited page, tables, figures, raw data, completed checklist. |
II Title Page: | |
q | Center title in middle of first page. |
q | Capitalize first letter of each word |
q | Descriptive |
q | Below title include your name, affiliation (school) and unabbreviated complete address. |
q | date submitted - in lower left-hand corner |
III. Abstract Page | |
q | Abstract must be one paragraph. |
q | Do not include references or use abbreviations. |
q | Be concise (include brief statement about paper's intent, materials and methods and significance of findings). |
IV. Introduction: | |
q | Provides a background to the work. |
q | Cites appropriate references |
q | Cites references as necessary |
q | Includes a statement of purpose/hypothesis |
V. Materials/Methods: | |
q | Gives an indication of the procedures followed. |
q | Written paragraph style. |
q | Materials are not listed. |
q | Includes the scientific and common name of the species used in the study |
q | Identifies the source, treatment, condition, etc., of the material used in the study |
q | Gives lighting, growth, etc. conditions |
q | provide a sample calculation |
VI. Results: | |
q | Describe, in words, the data collected in the experiment |
q | Tables, graphs, figures, and raw data are not included in the text; they are appended at the end of the report |
VII. Discussion | |
q | Describes the significance of the findings and any conclusions drawn from the work. |
q | Refers to other published work |
q | Explains how results "fit into" our current knowledge of the topic |
VIII. Literature Cited: | |
q | Cite references in alphabetical order by the first author's surname. |
q | Write out full journal titles - no abbreviations. |
q | Format for citing a journal article: Author AB, Author BC (1977) Title of article. Plant Physiology 59: 121-125 |
q | Format for citing an article in a book: Author AB, Author BC, Author CD (1974) Title of article. In A Smith, B Jones, ed., Title of Book, Ed 2 Vol. 3. Publisher, City, pp. 14-19 |
q | Format for citing a book: Author AB (1998) Title of Book. Publisher, City. |
q | Each reference cited in the text is listed in the Literature Cited section; and vice versa. |
q | Double check for spelling and details of publication |
IX. Tables: | |
q | Each table, regardless of size, is placed on a separate page. |
q | The tables are sequentially numbered (Table 1 ... Table n). |
q | Use the word "table", not "chart". |
q | Each table must have a descriptive caption that makes the general meaning understood with reference to the text. |
q | The caption should be placed on top of the table |
X. Figures : (Graphs, photographs, drawings, etc. are called figures) |
|
q | Each figure is placed on a separate page. |
q | Each figure is sequentially numbered; Figure 1 ... Figure n. |
q | Each figure has a descriptive caption that makes the general meaning understood with reference to the text. |
q | The caption is placed at the bottom of the page |
XI. Graph Preparation: (click here for more information on graph preparation) | |
q | Each graph is placed on a separate page. |
q | Graph uses entire paper. |
q | Dependent vs. independent variable is plotted. |
q | Axes of graph are labeled, including units. |
q | Graph has a caption that makes the general meaning understood with reference to the text. |
q | The caption, as with all figures, is placed beneath the graph |
q | Data points are connected by lines when appropriate - or, the best fit line is drawn. |
q | Minimum and maximum values for x and y axes are appropriate. |
q | Each graph is sequentially numbered (Figure 1 ... Figure n.) |
q | Graphs are called "figures" NOT "charts" |
XII. General Rhetoric/Writing: | |
q | Use "Figure" only to start a sentence; otherwise "Fig." if singular, "Figs." if plural (e.g., Fig. 6; Figs. 4-7). |
q | Use these abbreviations without spelling out: hr, min, sec, yr, mo, wk, d, diam, cm, mm; designate temperature as 30 C. For a list of other abbreviations visit the Plant Physiology web site |
q | Write out other abbreviations first time used in the text; abbreviate thereafter: "Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used..." |
q | Numbers: Write out one to ten unless a measurement (e.g., four petals, 3 mm, 35 sites, six yr). Use 1,000 instead of 1000; 0.13 instead of .13; % instead of percent. |
q | Use metric system (SI units when possible). |
q | Scientific names (including family) should be given first time species is mentioned. |
q | Scientific names are written properly. They should be written out fully the first time used. They can be abbreviated in successive uses (i.e., Quercus alba then Q. alba.) |
q | Use active voice (I weighed the leaf - not, the leaf was weighed by me). |
q | Proper use of significant figures |
q | The word data is plural (i.e., data are reported ... or, these data show ... ). |
q | Correctly use the terms: measure vs. calculate; analytical vs. preparative; error vs. mistake; qualitative vs. quantitative; accuracy vs. precision; fact vs. inference; affect vs. effect; than vs. then; to vs. too vs. two. For more information about correct usage of many words, click here. |
q | Refer to data treatments by name, not "Tube #3" or "Sample A" |
q | Use the word "prove" carefully. It's easy to "support" or "confirm" a hypothesis, but nearly impossible to "prove" it. |
q | When appropriate, include statistical analysis. Identify the number of replications of the experimental treatment and the number of times the experiment was duplicated. |
q | Use appropriate headings and subheadings |
q | Headings are centered & capitalized |
q | Secondary headings are underlined |
q | Information is summarized to avoid plagiarism |
q | References are cited in the text by author (date). Example: Apples grow on trees (Saupe, 2000). Saupe (2000) said that apples ...... |
| Top | SGS Home | CSB/SJU Home | Biology Dept | Biol 327 Home | Disclaimer | |
Last updated:
01/07/2009 � Copyright by SG
Saupe