BIOL 203 Lab Report Grading Rubric
Item
Possible points Your score
Introduction
(9 pts total)
Purpose
– statement of overall purpose of study
1
Background
Name the 12 cranial nerves and explain their overall function
1
Identify the cranial nerve(s) that carry sensory information from the
eyes to the brain
1
Identify the cranial nerve(s) that carry motor commands from the
brain to the eye and identify the muscles that are innervated by each nerve
2
Explain how these nerves operate together to allow proper
function of the eye
2
Hypothesis
– Predict which cranial nerve is malfunctioning in Zoe’s case
2
Procedures
(2 pts total)
Explain how the function of each of the nerves identified above was
tested in the lab (only the eye-related tests)
2
Results
(2 pts total)
Report data in table format (include the control data collected in the lab
1
and compare it to the data from Zoe’s examination)
Give proper labels and titles for tables and graphs
1
Discussion
(8 pts total)
Summary and interpretation of data
For each test performed, compare the results between the control and
experimental subjects
2
Relate the results to the background information in the Introduction
2
Analysis of results
Explain how the results support the hypothesis
– OR – Explain how the results contradict the hypothesis
3
Describe any points of uncertainty or further questions
1
Conclusion
(1 pt total)
give a brief overview of the study and the conclusions that can be made
from it
1
Literature cited
(2 pts total)
APA style list of references and in-text citations
2
Use of correct format
for report
(see page above)
1
Total points for assignment
25
Format:
Your paper must follow the format outlined below. The format of this
paper follows the APA research report format. An example of this format can be
found at: http://www.thewritesource.com/apa/apa.pdf
Title Page
: The title page should be on a separate sheet of paper and contain
the title of the report, your name, the name(s) of your lab partner(s),
the course number and the date that the report was submitted.
The body of the paper should contain the following clearly labeled sections:
Introduction
: An introduction provides a concise statement, in paragraph form, of the
purposes or aims of the experiment/test. Although the introduction varies with the
style of the author and tests performed, it should only contain information that is
relevant to the case. The introduction should be
no more than one typed page in
length.
You must include a hypothesis based on the case study and the
background material. Give a reason for your hypothesis that is based on what is
known about the function of the facial nerve. Make sure to cite all references
properly in the body of the paper
Procedures
: This section explicitly describes the details of the tests performed. Do not copy
from the lab manual. Describe in your own words the procedures you used to test
the functions of cranial nerves.
Results
:
This section is used to present your results. You should not report raw data. It
should be tabulated and presented in the form of tables and graphs. Make sure
that all tables and graphs are labeled appropriately.
Discussion
: The data is analyzed and discussed in this section. It is important to interpret the
data, not simply restate it. Try to relate your results to existing knowledge of the
function of the cranial nerves. Are your results in agreement with your hypothesis?
Discuss this, and try to explain any discrepancies. What are the main points of
uncertainty in interpreting your data? You may speculate, but acknowledge that
you are doing that. Include suggestions that you may have for improving the
design of the tests. If you use material from other sources to support your
discussion, you must cite the reference.
Conclusion
: In this section, you will make a brief summary of the main results, along with any
uncertainties.
Literature Cited
:
Use the APA format for citations within the paper and in your reference list.
Consult
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
if you are unfamiliar with this format