Unknown Microorganism Report
Format is very important in scientific writing therefore, it is absolutely imperative that these procedures are strictly followed. Report will be due exactly 2 weeks following completion of the experiment and will be graded based on accuracy, format, sentence structure, grammar, clarity and organization of writing. Tables must be done digitally and cannot be hand drawn also; they must be inserted into the data section of the report, not attached at the end of the paper. Do not write in the first person, no I, we or me statements, instead use the third person throughout the paper. The report must be typed and double spaced. There is no minimum or maximum on the size of the report as it really depends on your personal writing style however, too little information will result in lost points.
Name:
Date:
Section or Class:
Instructor:
Title: The title of the study/experiment
Introduction: (2-4pages approx.): This section and the materials and methods section is written in pre-tense (prior to conducting the experiment). The first paragraph should be an introduction of the experiment that will be performed and why. The last sentence of the introduction should list the name of the tests that will be done (this acts as an introduction to the rest of the section)
For each test that will be performed (not necessary to write about the tests that you didn’t do) include as much background information as is relevant. I would like a paragraph description of each test with detail of all possible outcomes, their meanings, biochemistry (substrate, enzyme, and end product), pH, pH indicators, added test reagents, ingredients that allow for selectivity etc. The more detail you can give on each test the better. Do not give actual test results from the experiment those are included in the results and conclusion section only.
Materials & Methods: (a few sentences to 1 paragraph) Only a citation of the lab manual or source of experimental procedure is necessary with any changes to the procedure, if any, noted (ex. swabs were used on plates instead of loops). The exercises used from the lab manual should be referenced by exercise number or page number for each. Also, a mention of the flow chart which was provided by the instructor should be included. If a test was not found in the lab manual then a reference to published test methods should be provided, with full citation at the end of the paper (ex. BHIA incubated at 45°).
Observations/ Results: (approx. 1 pg.) This section and the conclusion should be written in past tense as they are generally done after the experiment is complete. First write a paragraph describing the overall data results, do not provide an explanation of why the results occurred yet, you will do that in the conclusion section. Next include a table of the collected data. Tables must be labeled top, left with a short description. Pictures can be included in the data table or following it. If added separate of the table they should be labeled as figures and labeled bottom, left (ex. Figure 1, Figure 2 etc.).
Conclusion: (approx. 1 pg.): This section should be 2-4 paragraphs with the first sentence of each section stating the unknown number and the name of the identified organism (Genus and species, italicized). The remainder of the paragraph details the test results that support that identification and WHY. In other words what makes that organism capable of a positive result but not the other organisms, what does it have that the others lack? These explanations should also include references to the tables and/or figures from the Data and Observation section. You may need to do additional research to determine the relevance of the tests to the identification of your particular organism and provide citations of such information.
Final paragraph state possible errors or issues with the procedure or materials and methods that may have affected data outcome (i.e. you added the wrong reagent to a tube negating its results etc.). In addition, the researcher could state additional steps that could have been done to improve on the results obtained. Ex. Rapid strep test in addition to the blood plates etc.
Works Cited (separate page): I would like a minimum of 4 sources to include the lab manual and flow chart, Wikipedia and MicroWiki should not be cited as they are open to public modification. Follow MLA or APA format on citations.
