Biotechnology Lab Reports and Research Paper Writing Guide

What is the primary purpose of writing laboratory reports and research papers in biotechnology?

To communicate scientific findings and make them available to others.

What are two key reasons for writing laboratory reports?

To allow instructors to evaluate student work and to prepare students for future scientific research articles.

What is the difference between scientific research papers and lab reports?

Scientific research papers present original findings of longer studies in academic journals, while lab reports are short reports on experiments performed in class.

What are term papers and review papers in the context of scientific writing?

Term papers are literature reviews for a course, while review papers are literature reviews published in academic journals.

What are the initial steps to take before writing a laboratory report?

Understand the procedure, obtain background knowledge, organize and analyze data, and target presentation to peers.

What is the IMRAD format used for in academic research articles?

It is the order of core sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

List the core sections of a laboratory report in the IMRAD format.

Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References.

What should the introduction section of a laboratory report include?

Context for the hypothesis, connection to previous research, and the purpose of the experiment.

What is the purpose of the methods section in a laboratory report?

To describe how the hypothesis was tested and the rationale behind the study design.

What type of information is typically found in the results section of a laboratory report?

Evaluation of data, calculations, and tables/figures supporting the results.

What does the discussion section of a laboratory report interpret?

It interprets the results, discusses implications, and states potential limitations of the study design.

What are key characteristics of a good title for a laboratory report?

The title should be succinct, clear, and complete, avoiding nonstandard abbreviations.

Provide an example of a revised title for a laboratory report.

From 'Effect of light on cacti' to 'Effect of ultraviolet light on the growth and drought resistance of saguaro cacti.'

What is the significance of communicating scientific findings?

It serves as an indication of expertise and productivity in the scientific field.

What should be done with references before writing a laboratory report?

Collect, organize, and study the references.

What is the role of the abstract in a laboratory report?

To provide a brief summary of the report's content.

Why is it important to follow instructions when writing a laboratory report?

To ensure that the report meets the required standards and expectations.

What does the results section typically contain in terms of data presentation?

It contains most tables and figures that support the results.

What is a literature review in the context of term papers?

A comprehensive overview of existing research related to a specific topic or course.

What should be the focus when organizing ideas in a laboratory report?

The overall question or hypothesis of the study.

How does writing laboratory reports prepare students for future scientific endeavors?

It equips them with the skills needed to communicate research findings effectively.

What is the importance of coherence in writing laboratory reports?

Coherence ensures that ideas are expressed clearly and logically, facilitating understanding.

What is the function of an abstract in a lab report?

To summarize the contents of the paper.

What is the typical word count for an abstract in lab reports?

50-150 words.

What are the components of an abstract?

Highlights from each section, optional short background, question/purpose, experiments, results, conclusion/answer/implication, and optional significance.

What should be avoided in the content of an abstract?

Nonstandard abbreviations, figures or tables, references, and general overview sentences.

What is the purpose of the introduction in a laboratory report?

To interest the audience, provide sufficient context or background, and be informative.

What structure should the introduction of a lab report follow?

A funnel structure: Known, Unknown, Question, Approach, and optionally Results/Conclusion and Significance.

What is a key characteristic of the writing style in abstracts?

It should be written as one paragraph.

What is a sample purpose statement for an abstract?

We tested the hypothesis that an increase in temperature results in faster development of tadpoles into frogs.

What experimental approach was used in the sample abstract provided?

Bullfrog tadpoles were kept at different temperatures and their development rate was evaluated.

What results were observed in the sample abstract regarding tadpole development?

Tadpoles in warmer water developed limbs faster than those in cooler water.

What significance was suggested by the results in the sample abstract?

Tadpoles living in warmer climates might turn into frogs sooner due to more favorable living conditions.

What are some example phrases to signal results in an abstract?

'We found...', 'These results suggest that...', 'Our results show...'.

What should be included in an abstract to enhance clarity?

Important key terms related to the study.

What is the maximum word count for an abstract in scientific papers?

100-250 words.

What should be included in the title page of a lab report?

Title, author names, course information, instructor name, and date.

What is the recommended format for the title page of a lab report?

Correctly formatted with all necessary information clearly presented.

What is the role of the 'question/purpose' in an abstract?

To state the main inquiry or hypothesis being tested.

What should be avoided in the results section of an abstract?

Figures or tables.

What is the implication of the results in the sample abstract?

The findings may indicate that environmental conditions affect the developmental rate of tadpoles.

What is a common mistake to avoid in writing abstracts?

Including nonstandard abbreviations.

What is the significance of the 'approach' in the introduction of a lab report?

To outline the methods used to address the research question.

What is the purpose of signaling phrases in abstracts?

To clearly indicate the different parts of the abstract.

What is an example of a research question related to seed germination?

To determine if increasing amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere affect maize seed germination.

What are some commonly used signals in the introduction of a research paper?

Examples include 'X is...', 'We hypothesized that...', and 'To determine whether...'.

What should the Materials and Methods (M&M) section include?

Sufficient details about materials, subjects, methods, and procedures.

What types of materials should be listed in the M&M section?

Drugs, culture media, buffers, gases, or apparatus.

What is the recommended structure for the M&M section?

Divide into subsections organized chronologically or from most to least important.

When should literature references be provided in the M&M section?

If previous reports exist, provide references; if not, describe the entire procedure.

What verb tense is preferred in the M&M section?

Passive voice is often preferred, using past tense for methods.

What is the function of the Results section in a laboratory report?

To state the results of the experiments and direct the reader to figures or tables.

How should findings be reported in the Results section?

Main findings should be reported in the first paragraph, with subsequent paragraphs structured by experimental parts.

What is the appropriate format for reporting results?

Include purpose/question, experimental approach, and results in a structured format.

What tense should be used for data presentation in the Results section?

Present tense for data presentation and general rules.

What is a key component of the introduction in a research paper?

A super-topic sentence that encapsulates the main research question.

What should be included in the experimental approach of the M&M section?

Details on independent and dependent variables, as well as experimental and control groups.

What is the significance of stating the purpose of an experiment?

It clarifies the objective and rationale behind the experimental design.

What is the recommended approach for organizing the M&M section?

Organize chronologically or from most to least important, ensuring all items relate to results.

What should be done if a method has been modified from a published report?

Provide a reference to the original method and describe the modifications made.

What is the importance of the first paragraph in the Results section?

It should report the main findings of the experiments conducted.

What is a common phrase to introduce a hypothesis in a research paper?

'We hypothesized that...'

What should be done if there are no previous reports on a procedure?

Describe the entire procedure in detail.

What is a common format for stating the results of an experiment?

'We found that...'

What is the role of figures or tables in the Results section?

To visually present data and findings for clarity.

What should be included in the results section of a laboratory report?

Only results pertinent to the question, results whether or not they support the hypothesis, experimental and control results, and other important findings.

How should data be presented in a laboratory report?

Main results should be in the text, while data should be presented in figures and tables.

What is the difference between data and results?

Data are facts, often numbers from experiments, that cannot stand alone without interpretation, while results are general statements that interpret the data.

What is an example of raw data?

Phospholipid concentrations.

What is an example of summarized data?

Mean and standard deviation (SD).

What is an example of transformed data?

Percent of control.

What does a results statement typically include?

General statements interpreting the data, such as 'Propranolol given during normal ventilation decreased phospholipid concentrations.'

What is an example of data without results?

'Among the 785 obese mice, we found 522 males and 163 females.'

How can the data about obese mice be revised to include results?

'We found that 3.8 times as many male mice (79.2%) as female mice (20.8%) were obese.'

What is the correct verb tense for reporting results in a laboratory report?

Results should be reported in the past tense.

What is a sample results paragraph structure?

Background, Purpose/Question, Experimental approach, Results, Interpretation.

What was tested regarding Nocardia in the sample results paragraph?

Nocardia's permeability to growth inhibitors.

What were the results of the Nocardia experiment?

Two out of five molecules tested inhibited growth, with NB22 demonstrating 100% growth inhibition at 15 μg/ml.

What indicates that Nocardia's cell wall is permeable to growth inhibitors?

The results showed that NB22 fully inhibited growth while NB20 only partially inhibited growth.

What is the purpose of using specific signals in the results section?

To clearly convey the purpose, question, experimental approach, and findings.

What is an example of a signal for stating results?

'We found ..., indicating that ...'.

What is a signal for stating the experimental approach?

'To determine ... we did ...'.

What is a signal for stating observations in the results section?

'We observed ..., consistent with ...'.

What is an example of a signal for testing in the results section?

'Z was tested ... By/using ...'.

What does the phrase 'we detected ..., which indicates that ...' imply?

It implies a conclusion drawn from the results of the experiment.

What structure should the Discussion section of a laboratory report follow?

Organize into first, middle, and final/concluding paragraphs with a pyramid structure from specific to general.

What should the first paragraph of the Discussion answer?

It should answer the research question posed in the Introduction and explain how the conclusion was reached.

What elements should be included in the first paragraph of the Discussion?

Key findings interpretation, theoretical implications, and practical applications.

What should subsequent paragraphs in the Discussion summarize?

They should summarize and generalize results, explain non-supporting results, discuss errors or limitations, and indicate potential next steps.

What is the focus of the last paragraph in the Discussion?

Restate the answers to the questions, indicate the importance of the work, and avoid introducing new evidence.

What is an example of a conclusion in a Discussion section?

In summary, fertilization among sea urchins appears intra-species specific due to surface components of both gametes.

What types of signals can be used in the Discussion to summarize findings?

Phrases like 'In this study, we have shown...', 'Our findings demonstrate that...', and 'Taken together...'.

What should be included in the References and Acknowledgements section of a research article?

A references list citing primary and secondary sources, and acknowledgment of organizations and individuals for assistance.

What are the learning objectives for Lecture 2 on Laboratory Reports and Research Papers?

Understand writing laboratory reports, writing research papers, differences between research papers and reports, and define key terms.

What are some key terms to define in the context of laboratory reports?

Abstract, Introduction, Results versus Data, Discussion, Conclusion.

What is the purpose of the Discussion section in a laboratory report?

To interpret results, provide context, and discuss implications of the findings.

What should be avoided in the last paragraph of the Discussion?

Introducing new evidence.

What is the significance of summarizing unexpected findings in the Discussion?

It helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the results and their implications.

How should limitations be addressed in the Discussion?

Discuss possible errors or limitations that may have affected the results.

What is the role of supporting evidence in the Discussion?

To back up the answer and conclusions drawn from the research.