Biodiversity and the Scientific Method Laboratory
Biodiversity and the Scientific Method Laboratory
[WLO: 1] [CLOs: 1, 3, 5]
This first laboratory exercise is a virtual one in which you will explore human impacts on the diversity of species present in a longleaf pine forest of the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the US. Along the way, you will also apply the steps of the scientific method in completing the activities. Before you begin, please review SCI207 – The Scientific MethodLinks to an external site. presentation video. When you have finished, please access the Biodiversity & The Scientific Method Laboratory here.
The Process
Complete the virtual lab activities as indicated. Along the way, be sure to print/save all graphs that you generate. When you have completed the lab, print/save your Lab Notebook. Use this Lab Notebook as a resource to complete the Lab Report Template. Transfer any answers and visual elements from your Lab Notebook into the Lab Report Template. For one section of the template, on Sources of Error in the lab activity, you will can simply copy that paragraph directly from your Lab Notebook. You will submit the Lab Report Template only through Waypoint in the classroom.
The Assignment
Make sure to complete all of the following items before submission:
Before you begin the assignment review SCI207 – The Scientific MethodLinks to an external site. presentation video.
Complete all activities in the virtual lab. Print/save all graphs to paste into your lab report. Print/save a copy of your completed Lab Notebook.
Use your Lab Notebook as a resource to complete the Lab Report Template Download Lab Report Template.
You must use at least two credible sources outside of the textbook and lab manual to write your report (as indicated on the Template).
Submit your completed “Lab Report” via Waypoint.
Template
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*Use this template to write your lab report each week. Complete the sections below, pasting in
all completed data tables, graphs, and photographs where indicated. Before you submit your
report, run it through Turnitin using the student folder to safeguard against accidental plagiarism.
Please delete this text along with all other template instructions before submitting your report.
Title of Lab Goes Here
Introduction
Explain the lab topic background (not the lab itself), including the most important terms and
concepts that are covered in it. Why is the subject of this lab important? Use at least one credible
source other than the lab manual or textbook to write this section; cite the source(s) using APA
format. Your background paragraph should be at least 5-7 sentences, not including any quoted
material.
In a separate paragraph, state your hypotheses one at a time, in the order of the activities in the
lab. Provide at least one hypothesis for each lab activity. For each hypothesis, explain your
reasoning behind what you thought would happen. You should have written your hypotheses
before you conducted your experiments. Do not provide any results from the lab here – the
results go later in your report (see below).
Results
Data Tables and Observations
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Copy and paste completed data tables here, in order. Make sure that each table is clearly labeled.
There should be data tables for all lab reports except Weeks Three and Four. For Week Three,
provide your observations from the lab here. For Week Four, there this section will be blank.
Graphs and Photographs
Paste your graphs here (Weeks One and Four only). Paste your photographs here (Weeks Two,
Three, and Five only), in the order they were taken during the lab. Provide captions for each
graph or photograph. Remember that all photos for the labs in Weeks Two, Three, and Five must
include a strip of paper with your name and the date clearly written on it. Lab reports without
photos will be returned ungraded. For the virtual labs (Weeks One and Four only), at least one
graph must be included in this section for the lab report to be evaluated.
Analysis
Based upon the results of each lab activity, explain whether you accepted or rejected each of
your hypotheses, and why.
In one or more well-written paragraphs: 1) Restate your original hypothesis for the lab activity;
2) Communicate the results of the lab, referring back to specific results from your data tables,
photos, graphs, or observations; 3) Compare your hypothesis to your results and decide either to
accept your hypothesis or to reject it; 4) State whether you accept your hypothesis or reject it and
explain with evidence; 5) Move on to the next hypothesis and repeat these steps.
Reminder: this section should be written in paragraph form, not as bulleted or numbered lists.
Discussion
In your own words, how do the results of this lab relate to the scientific literature and/or to real-
world applications? Using a source other than the lab manual or textbook, provide supporting
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facts or concepts that help you make meaning of the lab results. Cite the source using APA
format. Your answer should be at least 5-7 substantive sentences in length, not including any
quoted material.
In a separate paragraph, what challenges and/or possible mistakes did you experience when
completing this lab? Identify at least one. How might those challenges and/or. mistakes have
impacted the accuracy of your results?
References
List the references that you cited in your report, in APA format and alphabetically by author’s
last name. If you did not cite the source somewhere in your paper, do not include it
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