EXPERIMENT SUMMARY 

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

LAB REPORT      or
 PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH REPORT

find (or figure out) the hypothesis for the experiment described in the news story. 

(The information in the middle column can help you understand why the hypothesis is so important in this course.)

Note:  the hypothesis is often the headline or an answer to the question in the headline of a news story. 

Question & Observations 

refine the question about how the observations could be connected or explained; use inductive logic or whatever it takes to think up a tentative answer, which scientists call a HYPOTHESIS (general explanation)

then make predictions 
 of what you should observe if your hypothesis is right; in other words, use deductive logic to....

Introduction

May contain a clear, concise discussion of appropriate theory and facts [some or all of this discussion may appear under RESULTS or CONCLUSION below]. This part should make the reader want to read the rest of the report--make it seem globally important 
or at least make it interesting! 

THE HYPOTHESIS MUST BE STATED IN THE INTRODUCTION. You must also explain why the hypothesis is reasonable or worth considering.

Predictions of the experiment's results may be here and/or in other sections below.

Sometimes professional scientists do not identify the hypothesis precisely, and sometimes they do not write formal predictions.  Usually, however, the logic is still there, and you just have to read between the lines to find it.  

• what was measured
• who/what were the experimental group
• who/what group was used for comparison or controls
• sample size

Writers often omit some of the details that scientists need to know.

Design Experimental Test of the Hypothesis

(a very specific test which measures or counts something, comparing at least two sets of subjects)

perform experiment

Rule-of-thumb: another scientist should be able to repeat your experiment. Either cite the reference you followed or describe what you did clearly and concisely. Use active [not passive] verbs and declarative [not imperative] sentences.

Try to find the results for the main experiment in the news story.

Writers often omit some of the details that scientists need to know.

The ideal scientific process is like a spiral--  new observations lead to a new beginning of the hypothesis-testing cycle-- and eventually the spiral tightens on a hypothesis worthy of promotion to a theory.

So, once you have results....

then compare specific results to specific predictions deduced from general hypothesis. general hypothesis. 
   This will help you come to a logical....
CONCLUSION (Hypothesis rejected
or not rejected.)

You should remember that the whole point of the scientific method is to disprove hypotheses. 

refer to Chapter 1 study guide.

Describe the results in sentences or in titled and labeled tables and/or figures [such as graphs or charts].

If you use tables or figures, this section must contain at least one sentence referring to them. You may include discussion or explanations or excuses about the results.

• What is your judgment about the hypothesis?  See the info in the two columns at the right.

• The last box on the experiment summary form asks why the story was important.  
  This information is sometimes in the "Conclusion" section of a research report and sometimes in the "Introduction" section.  In a news story this information may be at the end, the beginning,  or anywhere throughout the story.  Your own opinion can be important, once you include the writer's main claim.

Conclusion
"I reject [or do not reject] this hypothesis because . . ."

Use words like "proof" and "true" to get an F.

This is another good section for clear and concise discussion. Examples: how this experiment compares with other scientific works, why these results are important, what biological or ethical consequences this experiment could have, other implications or applications of your results, excuses about why your findings are so inconclusive.

Sometimes professional scientists have their "reject" or "not reject" conclusion at the beginning or end of a "DISCUSSION" sections, or sometimes even in the "RESULTS" or even just between the lines or paraphrased somehow.  Then their "CONCLUSION" section may actually contain only consequences or implications or recommendations for further research or for actions people or societies should make.  Students, however, must include a conclusion with a formal statement about whether or not they reject their hypothesis.   Use words like "proof" and "true" to get an F.

Put the bibliographic information in the box near the top of the experiment summary form. Use any standard style of documentation like in the "References and Notes" instructions at the right.  For electronic sources, just add to the end of the citation this item:
[online] URL: http://www.whoever.edu/etc 

NOTE:  Biology 460 (Seminar) students should use a standard biology editorial style, like
www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite8.html.    Emulate the "Literature Cited" at the end of this article: http://www.consecol.org/vol6/iss2/art5/ but you can omit the boldface and italics 

List standard bibliographic entries for EACH and EVERY citation (if any) for procedures or discussion.

Any standard style of documentation is fine.   www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite8.html is good for biology majors, or just use your handbook from English Composition class.
For electronic sources, just add to the end of the citation this item:
[online] URL: http://www.whoever.edu/etc 

You may include endnotes instead of footnotes for technical details (optional).

SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT (optional; may be at the beginning)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (optional; a student must give credit in the main part of your report if anyone else did any of the work.)