Science Lab Report Unit2 Summative Seismograph
Science Lab Report Unit2 Summative Seismograph
Follow the format below for all of your lab reports in science. Words in italics are instructions to you. They do not
need to be copied. The headings should be copied and underlined exactly as this format shows. Use this format as
a reference for all inquiry labs in science.
Title:
INQUIRINGANDDESIGNING(Criterion B)
The first part of any inquiry will be deciding on what question you will try to answer, and then how you will
answer the question.
Defining the Problem or Question: What question(s) are you trying to answer? Write one to two sentences
explaining why we are doing this lab- what we were trying to find out, what question we were trying to answer, or
what problem we were trying to solve.
Question:
Variables: Variables are the part of your experiment that you will change and measure. In a scientific inquiry you
will change only one type of thing, and only measure one type of thing. The independent variable is the one you
purposely change and the dependent variable is what changes and is measured.
Variables:
Independent–(x-axis):
Dependent– (y-axis):
Hypothesis: Write a possible solution for the problem, this is your prediction. This is written as a complete
sentence. Make sure the statement is testable. A typical hypothesis is an “If ….then” statement. The statement
should reference the independent and dependent variables: such as “The plant group receiving
fertilizer(independent variable) will produce more fruit (dependent variable) than the plants that did not receive
fertilizer(independentvariable)
Hypothesis:
Materials:Make a list of all items used in the lab,including quantities (do not include safety materials).
Procedure: Write a numbered list which explains what you did in the lab. Your procedure should be written so
thananyoneelse couldrepeat the experiment.
Procedure:
PROCESSINGANDEVALUATING(CriterionC)
After you have properly planned your inquiry, you may conduct your investigation! You will collect your
data,then process it to create graphs and tables.This will help you evaluate your hypothesis by finding
patterns in the data.
Observations and Raw Data: This section contains a summary of your data in the form of graphs,
tables,diagrams, calculations, etc. All of these should be labeled appropriately. This section can also include
written observations.
Representing data. (Quantitative) – this could be any type of table or chart you choose that represents your data
properly. Be sure to include a title, labeled boxes, and use proper units. The data table you make to is to
organizeandrecordmeasurementsduringyourexperiment.
Written observations. (Qualitative) – descriptions such as sights, sounds, smells, etc. you have observed during
your experiment
Collecting Raw Data – Make a table to collect the information. Think about what you are collecting and how to
organize the data BEFORE you make a table. Add a title and identify the data collected (units belong in title boxes
of table).
Title:
Graphs All graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately. Graphs can be any type that is appropriate
(bar,line, circle). Think about what type of graph is the most appropriate for this lab. Refer to the “Graphing
Rules”hand out if needed.Be sure to include a title and label axes and data for the graph correctly.
Patterns: Explain what your data is describing using words like “increase” or “decrease”, and phrases such as “the
data shows…”or“the dependent variable…”.
Conclusion-Writing it!
A conclusion paragraph contains a description of the purpose of the experiment, a discussion of your major
findings, an explanation of your findings, and improvements to the experiment. Do not number the sentences, but
include the answers to the below questions:
1. Restate the overall purpose of the experiment (include Independent Variable and Dependent Variable in this
sentence.)
2. What were the major findings?(Summarize your data and graph results)
4. Don’tgivetheprocedureagain,butdopointoutpossiblesourcesoferrorthatmayhaveoccurredinthecollection
of data and suggest improvements.
Conclusion: