Portfolio of laboratory report writing skills

On successful completion of this assessment, you will have met criteria towards the following module learning outcomes:

Knowledge based outcomes:
Demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful practical techniques, selecting appropriate methods for an investigation
Analyse results against a null hypothesis using statistical tests
Evaluate the impact of scientific processes and findings, making suitable recommendations for future work

Skills based outcomes:
Analytical and problem solving
Carrying out experimental work in a safe, reliable and efficient manner
Expanding the range of scientific skills and techniques, both quantitative and qualitative
Time management, planning and organisational skills
Ability to work competently both collaboratively and independently
Being aware of own strengths and weaknesses and to understand when support is needed

Assessment criteria:
In order to successfully complete this assessment and meet criteria towards the above learning outcomes, you must satisfy the following criteria:

Recognise the importance of safe working practice within a laboratory environment
Explain how to identify potential risks and hazards to an investigation and the environment.
Demonstrate an analysis of safe equipment use and safe methodology procedures of an investigation

Construct a null hypothesis and show understanding of how to use probability to accept or reject the hypothesis
Use the chi-squared test to calculate and analyse the relationship of two variables
Use the student t-test to calculate and analyse a statistical difference between two groups

Critique experimental design and processes within a given experiment
Offer suitable recommendations and improvements that can be implemented in future experimental work

Assignment instructions:
You are required to produce a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of effective laboratory writing skills. The portfolio will consist of 3 assignment tasks which you will work on throughout your Skills for Science module. The final portfolio will be a 2,300 word piece of work, submitted towards the end of your module. Task 2 is specific to your chosen pathway.

Task 1 – Laboratory report writing skills 1 (800 words)
Task 2 – Laboratory report writing skills 2 (800 words)
Task 3 – Laboratory report writing skills 3 (700 words)

Once you have learnt about the topic and gained the required knowledge and skills, you will start each task. Your tutor will go through the requirements of the specific tasks and you may have an opportunity to start working on it during the lesson. You will be given a time scale to complete the task, including submitting completed drafts within the given deadline on Turnitin. You will submit a final portfolio towards the end of the year, including your final submission of all three tasks.

If the task requires you to draw graphs, diagrams or write calculations, these can either be done digitally using Excel/appropriate software, or by hand and included as a screenshot or image as part of your electronic submission. The word count for each task is a recommendation. All tasks will be submitted in one final portfolio document.

Task 1 – Researching and preparing to conduct an experimental investigation
(800 words) – AC1.1, 1.2 and 1.3

Part A – Aim and Introduction:
What do you initially understand the aim and the introduction of a laboratory report should include?
After research and class work, what do you now understand the purpose of an aim and introduction to a laboratory report to be?

Describe the purpose of the aim of an experiment performed in the laboratory.
Provide at least one example of an aim and introduction to a scientific investigation.
Research and describe the main scientific background related to the aim of the investigation.
Highlight the specific areas of evidence of good practice and explain how some areas of the information could be improved further.

Part B – Materials procedures and variables:
What do you initially understand the materials, procedures and variables of a laboratory report investigation should include?
After research and class work, what do you now understand the materials, procedures and variables of a laboratory report investigation should include?

Research and choose a procedure for an A-level standard experimental investigation (this must be agreed with your tutor).
Identify the equipment and materials required to perform the investigation.
Discuss the suitability of the equipment, materials and procedure for the investigation in terms of providing reliable and valid results.
Identify the variables in the investigation and explain the consequences of changes to the variables in terms of valid results.

Part C – Safety:
What do you initially understand should be included in a scientific laboratory report safety assessment?
After research and class work produce a safety poster to demonstrate what do you now understand should be included in a scientific laboratory report safety assessment?

Identify general good practice as expected in a scientific laboratory.
Describe and explain the importance of a risk assessment as used in a scientific investigation.
Provide an example of a suitable risk assessment for an A level standard investigation clearly demonstrating detailed knowledge and understanding of the risks, hazards, precautions and how to safely deal with potential accidents.

Task 2 – Analyse results against a null hypothesis using statistical tests
(800 words) – AC2.1, 2.2, 2.3

You are required to develop a logical and coherent guidance document to demonstrate how to write the analytical sections of a scientific laboratory report.

It should include:

Part A – Results tables and graphs:

Research the different types of results tables used in science to record observations.
Provide examples of the different types of results tables and explain how to choose the most appropriate table to record investigation observations.
Provide an example of a poor and an accurate results table for a scientific investigation.
Compare and contrast the two tables, outlining errors, good practice and the requirements for reliable and accurate recordings.
Describe how to identify anomalies and how to respond to them.

Research the different types of graphs used in science to record observations.
Provide examples of the different types of graphs and explain how to choose the most appropriate graph to display investigation results.
Write the rules to be followed when drawing investigation graphs/charts.
Identify and describe trends in the results, using data from your example graphs.

Part B – Statistical analysis:

Research using statistical tests in scientific investigations
Describe how to choose an appropriate statistical test used in scientific investigations.
Provide examples of using the Chi squared test to support or reject investigation results.
Provide examples of using Students t- test to support or reject investigation results.

Please read the mark scheme for this task carefully as this will state how many examples, as a minimum, you are expected to give (where required) to achieve each grade boundary.

 

Task 3 – Critically evaluate scientific methodologies (700 words) – AC3.1, 3.2

Choose either OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2 below to complete this task. You should only choose ONE option.

OPTION 1:
The rate at which a chemical reaction proceeds depends on several different factors including:

Temperature
Concentration of reactants
Surface area of reactants

If you research the topic, you will find that there are several different practicals that can be carried out to investigate each of these factors.

Part A
Choose an appropriate practical from either a textbook or from the internet which investigates ONE of these factors listed above.

The factor you choose must be different to your Physics or Chemistry lab report and agreed with your tutor.

OPTION 2:
The Gas Laws investigate the relationships between:
Pressure
Temperature
Volume

If you research the topic, you will find that there are several different experimental practicals that can be carried out to investigate the relationship between TWO of the variables listed above.

The variables you choose must be a different to your Physics or Chemistry lab report and agreed with your tutor.

Follow the rest of these instructions once you have chosen Option 1 or Option 2:

You must provide your tutor with a copy of the practical you have chosen – this may be as a link or as a scanned copy / photo from a text and included within your portfolio.

Part B
You are then to write a report which critiques your chosen experiment, highlighting both positive and negative aspects from your chosen procedure:
Choice of apparatus
Procedure outlined
Safety considerations

 

Part C
You should also offer suitable recommendations for improvements that could be made to improve the experiment. This could be using different apparatus / techniques which will improve the quality and accuracy of the experiment and results obtained. Consider the:
Apparatus used
Procedure
Safety considerations

Part D
You also need to include examples of further work / experiments that could be carried out to investigate this topic further. (This is as well as how to improve this experiment which you have already discussed. Just saying repeat the experiment is not appropriate!)

Part E
All work should be correctly referenced, using Harvard Referencing.

Remember:
You are required to develop a logical and coherent document to demonstrate how to evaluate scientific investigation processes.
You will need to use a range of research sources to support your evidence/information.
All references should use the Harvard referencing system followed by a bibliographical reference list.