How to Write a Microbiology Lab Report
Review the RUBRIC., Gain BACKGROUND INFORMATION about the experiment., Obtain materials needed to execute the experiment as directed by your instructor., In your notes RECORD materials or techniques used during the experiment that isn’t included in...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Review the RUBRIC.
It’s essential to understand how you will be evaluated on your report because each instructor has a different set of standards for grading.
An instructor may:
Add/subtract/merge certain structural elements of a report.
Focus on one part of a report more than another.
Require reports to be typed out.
For typed reports focus on REVIEWING and EDITING.
Require reports to be handwritten in a research notebook.
Written Lab Report Preview -
Step 2: Gain BACKGROUND INFORMATION about the experiment.
You are more likely to execute the experiment successfully and save time during lab by obtaining a clear understanding of the experiment before entering lab.
To do this:
READ the lab manual for the experiment ahead of time.
Lab Manual Example , Items that maybe required:
Lab Manual Lab Research Notebook Notebook (For Notes) Research Notebook Notebook (For Recording Notes During Experiment) , Sometimes your instructor may deviate from the original experiment., This is vital to constructing an effective lab report.
ACCURATELY and DESCRIPTIVELY record ALL of your results and observations.
Even if your experiment didn't go according to plan RECORD your observations and results.
In addition RECORD where you think you made a mistake.
Record Your Observations & Results , The structural components of microbiology lab report typically contains:
Purpose Introduction Materials Methods Results Observations Discussion References , The purpose can be to practice or learn a new technique, test, or characteristic of a microorganism. , This information can be found in the lab manual or related microbiology textbook.
State all TECHNIQUES or TESTS used.
Include an explanation of any new technique or test that was used.
State a HYPOTHESIS.
This is an educated guess about the outcome that you expect to reach by conducting the experiment. , If you have an unknown microorganism RECORD the number, letter, or identifying characteristic of the microorganism.
Example:
If agar was used list the type, if a KNOWN microorganism was used list the name, or if a test tube was used list the size. , If the procedure for the experiment is found in your lab manual SUMMARIZE the steps in this section.
If your instructor deviated from the original experiment make ADJUSTMENTS as needed.
An instructor may require you to do this in a paragraph or a list form. , Include drawings (if beneficial).
Include charts and tables (if beneficial). , Focus on trends, differences, and unique characteristics that you notice.
Be CONCISE!! This IS NOT where you elaborate/explain your results.
This section is frequently combined with the results section for consistency. , Interpret the results and determine if this data is consistent with the experiment.
Does it make sense? Why does it make sense? State if you have FULFILLED the purpose of the experiment.
State if your results SUPPORT your hypothesis.
If your results DON'T SUPPORT your hypothesis, why don’t they? Was there any error during the experiment? Did you miss a step? Did you use proper techniques? Was your results accurate? This is usually the MOST IMPORTANT section of the lab report. , -
Step 3: Obtain materials needed to execute the experiment as directed by your instructor.
-
Step 4: In your notes RECORD materials or techniques used during the experiment that isn’t included in the lab manual.
-
Step 5: In your notes RECORD your results and observations.
-
Step 6: Upon completing the experiment you're ready to construct your lab report in your lab research notebook.
-
Step 7: Purpose State the MAIN OBJECTIVE of the experiment.
-
Step 8: Introduction Include BACKGROUND INFORMATION about the experiment.
-
Step 9: Materials State ALL MATERIALS used in the experiment.
-
Step 10: Methods State ALL STEPS you've performed during your experiment.
-
Step 11: Results Include ALL DATA acquired from the experiment.
-
Step 12: Observations Describe ALL RESULTS.
-
Step 13: Discussion Explain your results & observations in DETAIL in this section.
-
Step 14: Reference Include references to ALL documents and text you've used to construct your report.
Detailed Guide
It’s essential to understand how you will be evaluated on your report because each instructor has a different set of standards for grading.
An instructor may:
Add/subtract/merge certain structural elements of a report.
Focus on one part of a report more than another.
Require reports to be typed out.
For typed reports focus on REVIEWING and EDITING.
Require reports to be handwritten in a research notebook.
Written Lab Report Preview
You are more likely to execute the experiment successfully and save time during lab by obtaining a clear understanding of the experiment before entering lab.
To do this:
READ the lab manual for the experiment ahead of time.
Lab Manual Example , Items that maybe required:
Lab Manual Lab Research Notebook Notebook (For Notes) Research Notebook Notebook (For Recording Notes During Experiment) , Sometimes your instructor may deviate from the original experiment., This is vital to constructing an effective lab report.
ACCURATELY and DESCRIPTIVELY record ALL of your results and observations.
Even if your experiment didn't go according to plan RECORD your observations and results.
In addition RECORD where you think you made a mistake.
Record Your Observations & Results , The structural components of microbiology lab report typically contains:
Purpose Introduction Materials Methods Results Observations Discussion References , The purpose can be to practice or learn a new technique, test, or characteristic of a microorganism. , This information can be found in the lab manual or related microbiology textbook.
State all TECHNIQUES or TESTS used.
Include an explanation of any new technique or test that was used.
State a HYPOTHESIS.
This is an educated guess about the outcome that you expect to reach by conducting the experiment. , If you have an unknown microorganism RECORD the number, letter, or identifying characteristic of the microorganism.
Example:
If agar was used list the type, if a KNOWN microorganism was used list the name, or if a test tube was used list the size. , If the procedure for the experiment is found in your lab manual SUMMARIZE the steps in this section.
If your instructor deviated from the original experiment make ADJUSTMENTS as needed.
An instructor may require you to do this in a paragraph or a list form. , Include drawings (if beneficial).
Include charts and tables (if beneficial). , Focus on trends, differences, and unique characteristics that you notice.
Be CONCISE!! This IS NOT where you elaborate/explain your results.
This section is frequently combined with the results section for consistency. , Interpret the results and determine if this data is consistent with the experiment.
Does it make sense? Why does it make sense? State if you have FULFILLED the purpose of the experiment.
State if your results SUPPORT your hypothesis.
If your results DON'T SUPPORT your hypothesis, why don’t they? Was there any error during the experiment? Did you miss a step? Did you use proper techniques? Was your results accurate? This is usually the MOST IMPORTANT section of the lab report. ,
About the Author
Mark Freeman
Brings years of experience writing about crafts and related subjects.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: