Lab Report Writing Grade 11/12 BC Curricular Competencies: Questioning and Predicting Planning and Conducting

Section of Lab Report Level Command What does this mean? Things to consider for student Example
Term
Variables 4 Explain Give a detailed account, with the Include a Control Group IV:  Handedness (L/R) and its relationship to sensitivity to cold.
goal of clarifying or making your DV:  How long the hand can be kept in cold water, measured in seconds using a stopwatch
variables complete, clear and easy to CG: One Left and One Right hand, put in Room Temp water
understand Constant Variables:
Tell me how to Age: All test subjects will be 14 years old.
manipulate the Temperature: The temperature of the water will be 5 oC maintained using a thermometer
variables including the and adding ice cubes when needed
of collection of Time of Day: The tests will be done between 1-2pm
sufficient and relevant Size of tub: A 4L beaker will be used
data 3 Describe Give a detailed account to show your Are there enough IV to draw a
clear understanding of the line of best fit on your graph?
experimental process How do you achieve this?
2 Outline Give a brief account with some Include equipment used, specific IV:  Handedness and its relationship to sensitivity to cold. 
explanation measurements and units for each DV:  How long the hand can be kept in cold water. 
variable Constant Variables:
Age: All test subjects will be high school students.
Temperature: The beginning temperature of the water will be the same.
Time of Day: The tests will be done at the same time of day.
Size of tub: The same size and shape of container will be used for each test
Please include this on 1 State Give a specific name of equipment Include the IV: Right hand and left hand. 
the cover page of your and value of measurements without Independent Variable DV:  Which can stay in the cold water longer. 
report along with the explanation Dependent Variable
title, name, date and Constant/Control Variables
class
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Purpose 4 Explain Give a detailed account, including Use scientific reasoning and There are many differences between a person’s dominant and non-dominant
context, with the goal of clarifying or make connections between sides.  For example there are differences in strength and coordination.  Most studies on hand
making your purpose clearer to situations, events, patterns and strength show that right-handed people have 10 percent stronger right hands than left
understand processes   hands, (Michel, Andrew). This makes sense since we know that if you exercise muscle it will
increase in size (Mader, 2000).  We also know that the hands receive instructions from nerves
Tell me a problem or coming from the brain or spinal cord and then execute these instructions using
question to be tested by muscles (Hildreth, Gertrude, 1947).   However, it is not clear whether the sensitivity to cold or
a scientific investigation pain is different between the hands. These sensory receptors are part of the nervous
system.   (Nelson Biology, 1996).   Since we are using our dominant hand more, it seems
logical that along with the muscles, the nervous system, (which also includes the sensory
receptors), would also be more developed.  Therefore, this experiment will test the
hypothesis that the dominant hand is more sensitive to cold temperatures than the non-
dominant hand.  To do this, we will observe how well test subjects are able to manage
discomfort when submerging their dominant and non-dominant hands in icy cold water.   
3 Describe Give a detailed account or picture of Consider making connections to Right-handed people have stronger right hands than left hands and the opposite is true for
your purpose, including some real world so the relevance of the left handed people. We call this the dominant hand. Our hands also sense things like
scientific explanation, linking the experiment is addressed. temperature and pain.  Since one hand is stronger we think that the same hand will be more
experiment to what we have learned You may include an overview of sensitive.  This experiment will test whether the dominant hand is more sensitive to cold
in class or what goes on the in the your procedure without including temperatures than the non-dominant hand.  To do this, we will observe how
world around us. too many specific details. long teenagers are able to keep their dominant and non-dominant hands in icy cold water.  
How does different handedness affect the time that people can keep their hand in cold
water? 
2 Outline Give a brief account of what you are In 2-3 sentences tell me the Right hands are used more often and work better than left hands. So, my right hand must be
trying to solve or hope to find reason for doing the experiment more sensitive to cold water so that it can keep working. We will observe how
out with some explanation including IV, DV and the units. long people are able to keep their right and left hands in icy cold water.  

1 State Give a specific, brief account of what 1 sentence with IV and DV To determine which hand – right or left, will last longer in icy water?
 you hope to find; no explanation included
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Hypothesis 4 Explain Give a detailed account, with the Use scientific reasoning and If you submerge both hands in ice cold water, then the dominant hand will be unable to
goal of clarifying or making your make connections between endure the cold for as long as the non-dominant hand.  Due to increased use, dominant
hypothesis clear to understand situations, events, patterns and hands tend to be stronger and more coordinated than non-dominant hands.  Since they are
processes   used more it seems reasonable that the dominant hands are exposed to more sensory
Formulate tell me a stimuli, making them more sensitive.  As a result they will respond more quickly.  
testable 3 Describe Give a detailed account or picture of Consider making connections to If you submerge both hands in ice cold water, then the dominant hand will be less able to
hypothesis using your Hypothesis, including scientific real world so the relevance of the endure the cold than the non-dominant hand. Since dominant hands are used more they are
scientific language vocabulary of process  experiment is addressed usually stronger and more coordinated than non-dominant hands. Therefore, the dominant
hand is also more sensitive and will not be able to withstand the cold water as long as the
non-dominant hand. 
2 Outline Give a brief hypothesis with some Tell me what you think will If you put both hands in ice cold water, then the dominant hand will be less able to stay
explanation happen and why in 2-3 sentences in the cold than the non-dominant hand. Since dominant hands are more sensitive,
they will not be able to stand the cold water as long as the non-dominant hand. 
1 State Give a specific brief hypothesis Tell me what you think will If you put both hands in ice cold water, then the right hand will not be able to stay in the
without scientific reasoning happen in 1 sentence including cold as long as the left hand.  
specifics
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Procedure 4 Logical/ Give a detailed numbered step by Give details relevant to the task. Put on goggles
appropriate step process of your procedure in Think about your audience as you Fill the tub ¾ full with cold water.
/ Explain/ the most efficient sequence possible. consider the amount of detail to Add 2 cups of ice cubes. 
Sufficient & The goal is not be wordy, but clear include Let sit for 5 minutes. 
Design a method in relevant and easy to follow. Add one more cup of ice cubes. 
which they selects Record Water temperature 
materials and Fill out the following information in data table for test subject:  age, gender and dominant
equipment, hand.  
and tells how data will Instruct the test subject to place both hands in the bowl as long as possible. 
be collected  Remove each hand when the discomfort becomes too much. 
Record how long the subject is able to keep each hand in the water. 
Record water temperature at end.  
Repeat steps 2 to 5 for all subjects between 8:00 and 9:00 am in the morning.  This will take a
number of days.  
Have test subjects come back on another day and repeat the experiment.  
Dispose of water down the sink
3 Complete/ Give a detailed albeit a numbered Are there enough IV to draw a
appropriate step by step instructions of how to line of best fit on your graph?
/ Describe/ recreate your prodedure, including Include equipment used,
Sufficient & proper name and sizes of all pieces numbers and units of
relevant of equipment used measurements
2 Safe/ Give a brief list of steps including A numbered point form list of all Fill each tub with cold water.
Outline/ some explanation and all safety the steps you will take to Add 2 cups of ice cubes to each tub.
relevant precautions including disposal complete the lab.  You must Instruct the teenagers to
include all safety notes.    Put both hands in the tub as long as possible.
Be sure to include how you will Remove each hand when they can’t stand it anymore.
be manipulating (changing and
controlling) your variables and
how you will get reliable data

1 Design a method with limited

success
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Lab Report Writing Grade 11/12 BC Curricular Competencies: Questioning and Predicting Planning and Conducting

Section of Lab Level Command What does this mean? Things to consider for student Example
Report Term
Results 4 Transform to change in form, Sample calculations included Sample Calculations: Subject 1: (235+239)/2 = 237
appearance, and or
Give data in structure 
numerical and/or 3 Organize put ideas and information All trials and averages included in Subject Age  Gender  Dominant Time 
into a proper or systematic table Number 
visual forms
order (years)  Male (M) or (seconds) 
Female (F)  Day 1  Day 2  Average
1.  13  F  235  239  237
2.  15  F  228  232  230
3.  17  M  191  189  190
4.  13  M  236  233  234
2 Present Offer for display, Create a data table with headings and
observation, examination or units listed
consideration
1 Collect
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Analysis 4 Evaluate Based on what you discussed Originally we believed that the dominant hand would be more sensitive since the nervous system of this hand would be m
developed.  This was based on the fact that most studies on hand strength and coordination show that right-handed peop
a final judgement is made have stronger right hands than left hands, (Michel, Andrew).  Coordination is controlled by the nervous system and our se

Accurately and included
interpret data
and tell me
about results
3 Discuss Offer a considered and
balanced review based on
multiple POVs that includes
a range of correct
scientifically reasoned
arguments, factors or
hypotheses
2 Outline Give a brief account with
some explanation
1 State Give a specific name, value
or other brief answer
without explanation or
calculation  recognize trends and draw
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Conclusions should be presented
clearly and supported by
evidence in the data
Use the word “because”
Reference your data and/or
Graph and interpret using
knowledge and understanding to
conclusions from collected data
are also controlled by the nervous system so we thought that a more coordinated hand would have a more developed ner
and sensory system.  This led to our hypothesis which was  If you submerge both hands in ice cold water, then the domina
hand will be unable to endure the cold for as long as the non-dominant hand.   Unfortunately, the data demonstrates tha
non-dominant hand is more sensitive than the dominant hand to cold which is the opposite of what our hypothesis stated
of the ways our body stays warm is through the blood that is flowing through it.  So our body can control its
temperature by directing either more or less blood to go to certain body parts. (Mader, 2000 pg 205).  Over time the body
quicker at sending blood to or away from certain body parts to control the temperature.  This is called adaptation, (Discov
Seeker, September, 2013).  This must be what happened in our experiment.  Since we use our dominant hand more we ar
likely to expose it too cold than we are our non-dominant hand. Because of this our dominant hand is better at redirecting
to keep the temperature up for a longer period of time than the non-dominant hand does.   We looked to see if there was
difference between females and males as well.  Even though females seemed to be able to handle the water for slightly lo
than males, it was not by very much.    
Unfortunately, our experiment showed the opposite of our hypothesis.  When people come
from warm countries to Canada, they usually find it really cold.  But after a few years they d
find it as cold.  This must be what happened in our experiment.   If we use our dominant han
more maybe it gets used to the cold which would make it less sensitive instead of more
sensitive.   
Initially we thought that the dominant hand wouldn’t be able to hand the cold for as long as
other hand since we thought that the nervous system of this hand would be more develope
So our hypothesis was: If you put both hands in ice cold water, then the dominant hand will
less able to stay in the cold for less time than the non-dominant hand. Unfortunately, our
experiment showed the opposite of our hypothesis.
Our results showed that right hands lasted longer in cold water than left hands.  Even thoug
use our right hands more and they do a better job, they seem to be less sensitive.  Maybe th
are less sensitive so that they can keep working to help us do a better job with what we nee
do. 
Evaluation 4 Evaluate Based on what you The data in this experiment did not support the hypothesis that dominant hands would be m
(of Method & discussed, a final judgement sensitive than non-dominant hands to cold.   
Hypothesis) is made and included We did not make a note of how many people were left handed or right handed.  Because of
we may have only tested right hand dominant people.  This makes our results
inconclusive.  Also, we only tested teenagers who have not had the time or opportunity to a
to different situations. 
3 Discuss Offer a considered and Validity is a measure of how The data in this experiment did not support the hypothesis that dominant hands would be m
balanced review based on closely a procedure did what it sensitive than non-dominant hands to cold.  We did not make a note of how many people w
Tell me the validity left handed or right handed.  Because of this we may have only tested right hand dominant
of a hypothesis and multiple POVs that includes intended.
people.  This makes our results inconclusive.   
method based on a range of arguments, To evaluate the hypothesis, tell
the outcome of a factors or hypotheses. me if the hypothesis is right or
scientific wrong.
investigation  
2 Outline Give a brief account with To evaluate the method, tell me if We must reject our hypothesis.  Right hands lasted longer in the cold than left hands.  We d
some explanation the scientific method (fair testing) not consider that some people in our experiment may not have been right handed. 
is in fact achieved
1 State Give a specific name, value Evaluation of Method/Hypothesis The results of our experiment did not support the hypothesis.  We did not make a note of h
or other brief answer points out the problems many people were left handed or right handed.  So we think that we should do the experim
without explanation or again. 
calculation 
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Evaluation 4 Explain Give a detailed account, with Improvements to the procedure This experiment was originally designed to test the sensitivity of handedness to cold.  Even
(improvements of the goal of clarifying or can include though the data did not support the hypothesis, it would be interesting to see if the same w
procedure) making your evaluation How to control more variables true for the other receptors in the skin, like pain or pressure.  In addition, we wondered if th
would be a difference in the reactions between people with different handedness.  We also
easier to understand How to improve measurement
wonder if there was a difference in people of different age groups.   
technique
How to increase randomization of
Tell me about  
your sample
improvements or
The adding of a control group
extensions to the
3 Describe Give a detailed account or This experiment was originally designed to test the sensitivity of handedness to cold.  Even
method that would though the data did not support the hypothesis, we wondered if there would be a differenc
benefit the scientific picture of your evaluation
including improvements in the reactions between males and females.  We also wonder if there was a difference in peo
investigation.  of different age groups.   
process 

2 Outline Give a brief evaluation with We wondered if there would be a difference in the reactions between males and females.   
some explanation time we would test this.  
1 State Give a specific brief evaluation Next time we should probably use more people and repeat the experiment for
without explanation accuracy.  Also we should keep track of right and left handed people. 
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