(title, e.g. A Local Ecosystem Field Study) (medium, e.g.

Biology
Assessment Task)

(title, e.g. A Local

Ecosystem Field
Study)
(year, e.g. Year 11) (medium, e.g.
Biology Assessment Task)
(your name)

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(title, e.g. A Local Ecosystem Field Study) (medium, e.g. Biology

Assessment Task)

(title of greater specificity)

Abstract : [[the abstract can be skipped in most cases. only include it if youre
asked to by the teacher]] [[NOTE: the cover page can be omitted altogether if
this is going to be a non-marked report]]
Quick Abstract Reference
Must have:
1. Purpose
2. Key result(s)
3. Most significant point of discussion
4. Major conclusion
Summarize in a concise paragraph the purpose of the report,
data presented, and major conclusions in about 100 - 200 words.

Aim : What do you want to test or prove? OR What do you want to learn or
discover?
-What you are doing
-To (verb) is the standard beginning of an aim

Hypothesis : This is your prediction of the effect one variable will have on
another.
-What you think will happen/your predicted answer
-Justify your hypothesis
-Future tense

Equipment : List the equipment you need to conduct the experiment. Draw a
labelled diagram clearly showing what the equipment is and how it is used,
preferably large and easy to understand.

Procedure : List the steps you follow to conduct the experiment.

-Every. Single. Step.
-No pronouns
-Present tense
-Commands (Burn the Prepare the Record any) always start
with a verb
-Exact measurements with the appropriate units

Safety Precautions : What danger could there be in doing this experiment?

Consider electric shock, burns, chemical contamination etc.
-Hazard; Consequences; Probability; Damage Control and Prevention
E.g.:
Hazard
Consequenc Probabi Damage
Control
and
es
lity
Prevention
Slipping
or Scrapes and Unlikely
Utilise a basic first aid kit in
falling off the infections
treating the wounds.

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(title, e.g. A Local Ecosystem Field Study) (medium, e.g. Biology

Assessment Task)
boardwalk

Avoid running on the boardwalk,

do not push and shove and
exercise caution.
Alternatively, you could use this for non-serious reports that arent being marked:
Risk
Factor
Bromine
water

Hazard

Control

Eye damage,
serious skin
irritation, lung
irritant (toxic by all
routes of exposure
i.e. eyes, skin,
inhalation),
corrosive

Wear protective gloves, protective clothing,

eye protection, facial protection/safety
glasses, open in a fume cupboard to rid of
most of the bromine vapour. If you come into
contact with bromine water, rinse the
affected area with water. Use small quantities
of this chemical.

Results : Draw up a TABLE to record results, if numerical data is obtained.

Results may include written observations in a list or table, sketches, diagrams,
photos, etc.
-You could possibly find the average of your results + percentages
-Make sure you include calculations, etc. if youve included any
processed information in the table. Yes, I know theyre a pain to type up. Do it
for practice & revision purposes
-Include graphs (if appropriate)
-Date; Time; Location; Method (of gathering data e.g. quadrat sampling)
[optional]

Discussion : How did you ensure that the measuring was accurate? What
mistakes were made? How could this improve? What did you observe? Is the
result what you expected? Compare to published information. Were there any
hazards (dangerous things/situations)?
-Was your hypothesis correct? Make reference to the data gathered
-Mention and account for any trends or outliers (explain them properly,
referencing variables) AKA Describe + Explain observations
-Mention average in discussion (if appropriate)
-Could add further calculations here (depending on the experiment)
1. Assess:
a. Reliability
i. A general statement (e.g. There was a low level of
reliability) which is accordingly justified when discussing
the later points
ii. Sample size
iii. Repetition
iv. Improvements
b. Validity (Food for thought: are you testing what youre setting out
to test?)
i. Variables

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(title, e.g. A Local Ecosystem Field Study) (medium, e.g. Biology

Assessment Task)
1. controlled variable (e.g. area of the quadrat kept at
1m2)
2. dependent and independent variables (e.g. distance
from the creek and no. of crabholes respectively)
ii. Assumptions made during the course of the experiment
include: (e.g.
The testing area was not subject to any man-made
contaminants prior to the investigation (i.e. no littering or
disposal of hazardous chemicals, etc.). Such aspects would
have affected the distribution of seedlings and crabs.
The distance from the creek was a sole and determining
influence apropos the placement of crabholes and seedlings
sunlight, soil nutrients and other factors notwithstanding.
The seedlings were distributed as uniformly as naturally
possible along the distance, in the sense that there were no
clusters in certain areas.
The quadrats were placed entirely randomly. Such would
have been impaired, considering the travel restrictions
placed by the boardwalk.
1. And then finish off with an evaluation e.g. As such,
the investigation possessed moderate validity, hedged
by a number of fallacies in scientific method
iii. Improvements (could refer to the assumptions section)
c. Accuracy (Could include a graph in the accuracy section, depending
on the experiment)
i. Make reference to the relevant apparatuses (e.g. beakers,
plastic pipettes, measuring cylinder) in evaluating their
accuracy, whilst mentioning their accuracy to
1. Half of the smallest measuring unit. (e.g. 25ml for a
solution in a 50ml measuring cylinder [with 1ml
increments on the side] making it accurate to 0.5ml,)
2. Step one can be skipped if you obtained a digital
reading (i.e. digital scale, ph meter)
ii. General statement whilst considering the prior points
iii. Improvements (e.g. alternatives to the equipment used; e.g.
digital scale)
KEY/LEGEND: [[general paragraph (s)]] [[reliability paragraph (s)]] [[validity
paragraph (s)]] [[accuracy paragraph (s)]].

Conclusion : Have you tested or proved what you had as your aim? Say that
you have done so in a clear, logical statement. Make an assessment of the
reliability and validity* of your experiment.
-Answer aim and then hypothesis
-Basically a two sentence response, although this is only a guidelinefeel
free to expand upon your response to the aim and hypothesis if absolutely
necessary. No waffling, or else you chance the wrath of a thousand science
teachers

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(title, e.g. A Local Ecosystem Field Study) (medium, e.g. Biology

Assessment Task)
OVERALL TIPS:
-Use formal language
-Do not use contractions
-Use relevant scientific terminology/jargon (possibly refer to your
textbooks glossary)
-Add endnote references if you searched something on the net, etc. Proper
format if youre handing it in for marking
-Check the marking criteria (if youre handing it in for marking)
-Edit the header if you havent already done so
-GET RID OF EVERYTHING IN COMIC SANS + REMOVE ALL COLOUR
CODING BEFORE PRINTING (see: abstract, discussion, key/legend, and overall
tips)

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