Laboratory writeups in the course should follow the so-called IMRAD (Introduction - Methods - Results - And - Discussion) format described in Lobban & Schefter (1992). This is the standard format for manuscripts submitted for publication to scientific journals, and should contain the following sections:
INTRODUCTION: What is the background to the experiment? What hypothesis is being tested? How will the experiment test the hypothesis? [2 typewritten pages, 500 words maximum]
MATERIALS & METHODS: How were data collected? By what means (statistical or otherwise) were they analyzed? Do not include lists of apparatus, rather describe how the apparatus were used. This section should allow the experiment to be repeated exactly by anyone who reads your report. [1-2 pages]
RESULTS: Present an appropriate summary of your data: do not present raw data. All of your tables, figures, graphs, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, etc.), and statistical tests belong here. Label your tables and figures. All graphs must be drawn on graph paper (except MINITAB graphs), with axes properly labelled, and including a key to symbols. The results should include a very brief text (not more than one or two sentences) that points out similarities or contrasts between different experimental treatments, or calls attention to major features and trends in each table or figure. This section should not contain your interpretation of the data: you should let the data speak for themselves. [No specific page limit, but no longer than necessary to present the data.]
DISCUSSION: What do the results mean? How do they relate to each other? Do they support or refute the hypothesis? What is your interpretation of their biological meaning? Cite specific numbers wherever possible to support your claims: especially, note and interpret statistically significant test results. [4 typewritten pages, 1000 words maximum]
REFERENCES CITED: This is not
a bibliography: list only the reference works you actually cite
in the report. List these alphabetically, in the format that is used in
the handout, or in Lobban and Schefter (1992).
General notes. Laboratory results should be as concise as possible: reports that exceed the length guidelines will be returned for revision. Remember that "data" is plural, "datum" singular. Genus (plural, genera) and species (singular and plural the same) names are always underlined, separately (for example, Homo sapiens); if you use a word processor, they should be italicized. In your calculations, be consistent in the use of significant figures. In using scientific notation, include the same number of digits after the decimal: write 1.23 x 103 and 4.56 x 10-3, not 1234.56 and .005.