Plants & Human Affairs (BIOL106) - Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe |
Checklist for the Preparation of BIOL 106 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: | |
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Type manuscripts on "8� x 11" paper. Double-space throughout. |
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Assemble manuscript in this order: Title, text (introduction, methods, results, discussion), acknowledgments, literature cited page, tables, figures, raw data, completed checklist. |
II Title Page: | |
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Center title |
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Capitalize first letter of each word |
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Descriptive |
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Below title include your name, affiliation (school) and unabbreviated complete address, date |
IV. Introduction: | |
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Provides a background to the work. |
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Cites appropriate references |
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Cites references as necessary |
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Includes a statement of purpose/hypothesis |
V. Materials/Methods: | |
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Gives an indication of the procedures followed. |
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Written paragraph style. |
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Materials are not listed. |
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Includes the scientific and common name of the species used in the study |
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Identifies the source, treatment, condition, etc., of the material used in the study |
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Gives lighting, growth, etc. conditions |
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Provide a sample calculation if necessary |
VI. Results: | |
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Describe, in words, the data collected in the experiment |
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Tables, graphs, figures, and raw data are not included in the text; they are appended at the end of the report |
VII. Discussion | |
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Describes the significance of the findings and any conclusions drawn from the work. |
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Refers to other published work |
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Explains how results "fit into" our current knowledge of the topic |
VIII. Literature Cited: | |
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Cite references in alphabetical order by the first author's surname. |
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Use MLA or other format, and use it consistently |
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Each reference cited in the text is listed in the Literature Cited section; and vice versa. |
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Double check for spelling and details of publication |
IX. Tables: | |
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Each table, regardless of size, is placed on a separate page. |
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The tables are sequentially numbered (Table 1 ... Table n). |
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Use the word "table", not "chart". |
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Each table must have a descriptive caption that makes the general meaning understood with reference to the text. |
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The caption should be placed on top of the table |
X. Figures : (Graphs, photographs, drawings, etc. are called figures) | |
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Each figure is placed on a separate page. |
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Each figure is sequentially numbered; Figure 1 ... Figure n. |
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Each figure has a descriptive caption that makes the general meaning understood with reference to the text. |
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The caption is placed at the bottom of the page |
XI. Graph Preparation: (click here for more information on graph preparation) | |
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Each graph is placed on a separate page. |
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Graph uses entire paper. |
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Dependent vs. independent variable is plotted. |
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Axes of graph are labeled, including units. |
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Graph has a caption that makes the general meaning understood with reference to the text. |
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The caption, as with all figures, is placed beneath the graph |
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Data points are connected by lines when appropriate - or, the best fit line is drawn. |
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Minimum and maximum values for x and y axes are appropriate. |
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Each graph is sequentially numbered (Figure 1 ... Figure n.) |
XII. General Rhetoric/Writing: | |
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Use "Figure" only to start a sentence; otherwise "Fig." if singular, "Figs." if plural (e.g., Fig. 6; Figs. 4-7). |
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Use these abbreviations without spelling out: hr, min, sec, yr, mo, wk, d, diam, cm, mm; designate temperature as 30 C. |
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Write out other abbreviations first time used in the text; abbreviate thereafter: "Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used..." |
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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. |
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Use metric system (SI units when possible). |
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Scientific names (including family) should be given first time species is mentioned. |
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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.) |
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Use active voice (I weighed the leaf; Not - the leaf was weighed by me). |
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Proper use of significant figures |
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The word 'data' is plural (i.e., data are reported ... or, these data show ... ). |
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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. For more information about correct usage of many words. |
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Refer to data treatments by name, not "Tube #3" or "Sample A" |
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Use the word "prove" carefully. It's easy to "support" or "confirm" a hypothesis, but nearly impossible to "prove" it. |
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When appropriate, include statistical analysis. Identify the number of replications of the experimental treatment and the number of times the experiment was duplicated. |
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Use appropriate headings and subheadings |
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Headings are centered & capitalized |
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Secondary headings are underlined |
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Information is summarized to avoid plagiarism |
Last updated: 10/05/2008 � Copyright by SG Saupe