This lab proforma (in 12-pt. font) should be used to complete all lab reports.

Delete all of
the instructions in blue & use all of the writing in black as your section headings.
Don’t alter the margins – I need some room to write comments
Name:
Date:
TITLE – Title should summarize the investigation, including the independent & dependent
variables & if appropriate, essential control variables. (For example: if your research question
was to investigate the relationship between change in pH & enzyme activity, it would be essential
to control temperature as temperature is known to have a significant impact on activity of
enzymes).
BACKGROUND THEORY
What do I already know about the topic of the experiment (any prior knowledge and or reference
to text or other resource material)?
● Include any scientific terms relevant to the investigation (in text).
● Explain any relevant theory/equations/measurement techniques that you are using as a
basis for the experiment.
● Should aim to include referenced accepted values / findings from other similar
experiments.
● Content must be referenced using in-text citations and included in the bibliography (refer
to the citation guide on: https://www.mendeley.com/guides/harvard-citation-guide).
Aim (a brief statement, 1-2 sentences, statement of the purpose of experiment, in own words)
RESEARCH QUESTION
a. Select a clear & focused research question that explicitly identifies the independent &
dependent variables. Make sure that the IV actually causes a change in the DV through biology.
b. Research question must investigate a relationship that has not been previously investigated.
A) Focused Research Question- BE DETAILED AND SPECIFIC!! Make it scientific, correct
units, scientific names of species, bio terms (eg. respiration, concentration)
 How does ____________________________affect ______________________?
(independent variable with units and range) (dependent variables with units and description
of sample group / if the DV is a calculated value, identify what will be measured)
 Is (are) ____________as effective as ________?
 To what extent ____________ ?

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 HYPOTHESIS
c. State a hypothesis that clearly predicts the relationship between the independent & dependent
variables.
Use an If…then…because…format. The hypothesis should be justified, either directly, or by
referring to aspects of the background research section. Explain why you expect this result?
Table 1: Experimental Variables (does not have to be in one table)

Units Range

Independent Variable (this is the

variable you change or manipulate) +
(must be quantitative)
1. State your independent variable (must
be quantitative).
2. What are the units of measure for your
Independent Variable independent variable?
3. What are the settings/treatments you
are using for this experiment should
have at least 4 settings?
4. Why/How did you select these
settings?
5. How will you obtain/measure this?
Dependent Variable (this is the
resulting outcome of your settings or
what you measure at the end of the
experiment) + (must be quantitative)
1. State your dependent variable(must
Dependent Variable nothing here
be quantitative).
2. What are the units of measure for
your dependent variable?
3. How will you obtain the
measurements for this variable?

Method for Control

Control Variables Units Possible effect on results
(Explained in procedure)

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Identify all relevant controlled / fixed variables that can reasonably be expected to affect the
outcome (i.e. those that must be kept constant to ensure a fair test that will produce valid results,
where changes measured in the dependent variable are a true reflection of manipulating the
independent variable)
 Identify a minimum of 4 (these are the factors that could impact your results if not kept the same
throughout the experiment) with units
 Explain why it is important to keep each of the identified fixed variable the same
 How did you ensure that the variables were the same throughout the testing?
Think: are there any uncontrolled variables (if the answer is yes, include relevant
information).
MATERIALS
a. Select appropriate apparatus.
Be explicit e.g. number/amount required,
precision of measuring instruments,
size/ volumes of equipment,
concentration of solutions,
brand names for commercial products, etc.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (Record any relevant safety information)
PROCEDURE (written in third person and could be repeated by another person)
Clear numbered steps, be explicit & pay attention to all minor details (the goal is to facilitate
accurate replication by other scientists – should always ask yourself the Q “Could another
scientist replicate this procedure and expect to get the same results”).
1. b. If necessary, state how equipment will be calibrated.
2. c. Explicitly state how control variables will be kept constant, including values & units
where appropriate.
d. If control of variables is not practically possible, explain how control variables will be
monitored during the experiment.
3. Note: use a separate number for all control variables.
4. Clearly explain how equipment will be set up. Reference to Figure 1: Experimental Setup
may be useful for more complicated arrangements.
5. e. Explicitly state how the independent variable will be manipulated (changed) including
all values that will be used with units.
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Note: a. Choose a range (min – max) for the independent variable that is sufficient for the
investigation. (Does the range of the independent variable make sense eg is it realistic
in comparison to what would be expected in living systems? If unsure, choose the
largest possible sensible range using the time & equipment available – you can always
recommend increasing the range in the Conclusion & Evaluation section.)
b. You must select at least 5 levels of treatment for the independent variable within the
range specified to enable sufficient data to establish a relationship between the
variables. (More data points should be collected if time permits – this should be
addressed in Conclusion & Evaluation section.)
6. c. Explicitly state how the dependent variable will be measured including operation of the
measuring instrument/s, how many readings should be taken and over what
duration.
7. c. If a standard measurement technique is used it must be referenced eg use of a potometer
to measure transpiration; set-up and operation of gel electrophoresis; aseptic
techniques when working with microorganisms etc
9. d. Repeat data collection at least 5 times e.g. Repeat steps 6 to 8 five times. (The number of
trials/replicates/repeat-measurements depends on the time & equipment available – this
should be addressed in Conclusion & Evaluation section.) The number of replicas or
repeats must be clearly specified as part of the procedure.

Figure 1: Experiment Setup – optional: should be included if the set-up is complicated or if

(Note: figure titles usually appear underneath the diagram)
- A fully labelled diagram or photograph that is at least ⅓ of an A4 page in size.
- All diagrams should be 2-Dimensional (not 3-D) and in proportion.
- All containers should be open (e.g. beaker – do not draw a line across the top).
- Diagrams of electric circuits should use the correct circuit symbols and leads should be
represented by straight lines.
- If drawn by hand, a sharp pencil should be used with ruled lines where possible.

Additional Questions in regards to your procedure

1. Explain how your fixed variables were checked to ensure that each remained constant
throughout the experiment.

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 2. How did you change the independent variable and ensured that it was kept constant on
your predetermined setting?
3. How will your dependent variable be measured and recorded and what units will be used?
4. Are both your independent variable and dependent variable quantitative?
5. How many trials are you running? (minimum of five at each predetermined independent
variable setting)
6. How was your sample group chosen?
7. What is your comparison group/controlled group?

Design a table to record RAW DATA.

BIBLIOGRAPHY / RESOURCES
 List all sources used in alphabetical order.
 citation guide on: https://www.mendeley.com/guides/harvard-citation-guide (you
can download the application: https://www.mendeley.com/download-desktop-new/ )
 At least 3 credible sources used for Background Theory section. Use the library page
to access EbscoHost; Opposing Viewpoints; Science bank. Don’t rely on open source
reference material such as wiki/yahoo answers.
 Note: all sources must also be correctly referenced in text using the proper format.

Final steps before attaching to MB

 check spelling (at least two times )
 add page numbers
 name the file:
FULL NAME_ LAB_BIOLOGY_MONTH_YEAR

 send in pdf and doc/docx format