The first thing we learn about in our elementary science classes is the scientific method. The scientific method fosters a way for us to think about a certain problem and what methods can be done to combat it through experimentation. We think about the independent, dependent, and controlled variables which we set in an experiment in order to properly test something.
The lab report is a way for scientists and researchers of all kinds to display their findings and hypotheses to an audience, convincing them of accepting their findings and conclusions to be true in the field.
In most science classes lab report assignments are present in order to teach you about theories and findings that have been universally accepted and how they can be tested. In those elementary lab reports, you are learning to gain skills imperative for when you are doing research about a completely new topic or idea that has not yet been proved.
The structure of a lab report displays how you will structure your argument and convince the audience your findings are valid. Lab reports usually conform to a certain structure of title, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. However it is not necessary that they follow any structure. This paper focuses on an analysis of the structure of Dyson et al. ’s research on “Coupling remote sensing and eDNA to monitor environmental impact: A pilot to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon.”
Element 1: Title
A title should be informative and easy to understand. Researchers must keep their audience in mind and use terms and language that is familiar to their audience. Dyson et al. ‘s title, Coupling remote sensing and eDNA to monitor environmental impact: A pilot to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon, is extremely informative and to the point. Those who are searching for research papers pertaining to this topic of environmental science, will most likely understand terms such as sustainable agriculture and have a good idea what the paper will be about based on key words such as “impact” and “sustainable”, which implies that a certain agricultural practice and its implications are going to be tested in the paper. The title is a little long, but with good reason as it is very specific.
Element 2: Abstract:
An abstract is a short synopsis of the entire lab report as a whole. Usually each element of the lab report is explained in the abstract with no more than two sentences. Abstracts provide readers a glimpse of the entire lab report, allowing them to make the decision of whether the content will be relevant to them and their own research. Abstracts can either be quite descriptive or very straightforward and succinct. Dyson et al. ’s abstract is informative and to the point, giving a clear outline of the lab. The abstract also mentions that this lab is being done in order to better understand how environmental monitoring practices can be improved as a “growing interest in environmental monitoring practices” is present (Dyson et al. , 2024).
Element 3: Introduction:
The introduction section is where the researcher establishes the importance of their research. This section allows for the researcher to argue why the specific topic that their research aligns with is imperative.
The introduction also describes previous research and gaps within the previous research that their own lab report is going to fill this gap. The weaknesses and limitations of previous studies are explained as well.
Dyson et al. explains how environmental monitoring is essential as it ensures the impacts of sustainable agriculture are being achieved (Dyson et al. , 2024). The researchers bring up issues such as biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, and climate change as issues they are trying to combat using such monitoring techniques.
Although the importance and relevance was briefly described in the report’s abstract, the introduction goes more into depth on issues present, while explaining key terms and ideas. For instance, the term ‘eDNA’ is explained as genetic materials which are retrieved from water, air or soil, directly from the environment in order to observe the organisms themselves (Dyson et al. , 2024). The researchers recognize their audience as having a good idea of having some background in what environmental monitoring is and what sustainable agriculture means.
Additionally, Dyson et al. ’s paper lacks any mention of previous studies with a similar proposal and goal to their own report, therefore the lab does not identify any weaknesses and limitations of any old studies. This choice may have been made as the use of eDNA with remote sensing and using ‘eDNA’ in general is a relatively new practice. There could have been the possibility that this experimental model present in the lab report is new and has never been a part of previous studies.
Element 4: Materials and Methods
This section is where the procedure and tools used for the experiment conducted is present. Methods are supposed to be described in such great detail that it can be replicated. All organisms, tools, measuring devices, and technologies used are supposed to be described in this section. When writing this section the goal is really to convince readers that the approach used to test the hypothesis was credible and valid.
Due to the lack of mention of any old studies and methods used previously in the introduction, this can possibly make readers question the methods and weaken the approach used.
Dyson et al. ’s methods were described in great detail with different subsections explaining why the area that the experiment was conducted in was chosen as well as multiple sections discussing every method of data collecting such as eDNA extraction and all means of mapping. Specific types of mapping used such as disturbance mapping and regeneration mapping were described in great detail.
Although there is a very descriptive procedure present, some devices needed to record data were not mentioned or really explained. This can contradict the replicability element that must be present in this section.
Element 5: Results
The results section is the supporting body to the argument or hypotheses present in a lab report. In order to display the data, quantitative forms of data such as graphs, trendiness, and other calculations are usually present. These visuals of data should be explained in great detail as at first glance they can look intimidating and hard to break down.
Researchers may also include or exclude certain data to better support their hypotheses, but should indicate why they have decided to omit it. Understanding why will allow the hypothesis to come off stronger and well supported.
It is integral for data present to be honest and not manipulated to better support one’s own hypothesis. Participating in such high level academia and forms of study requires honesty even if the data present goes entirely against one’s hypothesis.
Dyson et al. ’s report contains graphs displaying biodiversity through means of different indexes such as the Shannon and Simpson diversity index, to measure biodiversity. Additionally, graphs showing the similarities in diversity are present, and each component of the graph and what It means is explained. Along with this, the report also shines light on data that is insignificant explaining why it can be ignored because of certain values making it statistically insignificant.
Element 6: Discussion
In this section all the data and calculations present in the results section are explained in great depth. The role of the results section was solely just to display data, visuals, and explain what the calculations and data showed in a very objective sense. In this section, however, data is interpreted problematic or atypical data is examined. The most important findings and trends are analyzed first. All atypical data should be mentioned as it can be a limitation present and put into consideration when future studies of the same caliber are being conducted.
Dyson et al. begins the discussion portion of the lab report by explaining how the novel implementation of TerraBio, a remote sensing monitoring approach, helped revegetate multiple trees and increase carbon sequestration (Dyson et al. , 2024). This indicates that this is one of the most important findings in the experiment and this method of environmental monitoring shows great promise for sustainability in agriculture.
Additionally, the data present in previous studies was mentioned and how similar the results in this experiment were to theirs. This can strengthen the overall hypothesis present in the lab report.
Atypical data was explained in conjunction with limitations and sources of error in the experiment. Specifically, the report explains that some readings of data have many plots missing or an indication of very low species richness, which could have been due to the fact the field sites were very remote (Dyson et al. , 2024).
Element 7:
The conclusion section of the lab report is a summary and review of what was tested in the experiment and the purpose behind testing it. The significance of the study is mentioned once more and no new information is mentioned as this section is really just wrapping up all the sections combined.
Dyson et al. ’s conclusion section emphasized the significance that eDNA testing had on the results of the experiment, displaying how it was one of the more important findings. The methods section and summary of what took place in the experiment was mentioned.
The conclusion ends with explaining how environmental monitoring devices and improving them are crucial for understanding the impacts of deforestation and carbon calculation analysis. The researcher could have ended this way to emphasize the need for such monitoring systems, as they work to protect biodiversity, which is essential for the strength of ecosystems.
Element 8:
This last element lists all resources used in the lab report. All citations are present here and are usually in APA format. Although there is a possibility of text citations present throughout the lab, references can include citations from sources that are not directly stated prior.
Dyson et al. had a references page with all studies they used in APA format and a link was present such that anyone could retrieve that source.
References
Dyson, K., Nicolau, A. P., Tenneson, K., Francesconi, W., Daniels, A., Andrich, G., Caldas, B.,
Castaño, S., de Campos, N., Dilger, J., Guidotti, V., Jaques, I., McCullough, I. M., McDevitt, A. D., Molina, L., Nekorchuk, D. M., Newberry, T., Pereira, C. L., Perez, J., … Saah, D. (2024). Coupling remote sensing and Edna to monitor environmental impact: A pilot to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon. PLOS ONE, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289437
Markel, M., & Selber, S. A. (2021). Technical communication. Bedford/St. Martin’s, a
Macmillan Education imprint. https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/product/Technical-Communication/p/1319245005
Reflection
The structure of a lab report displays how you will structure your argument and convince the audience your findings are valid. Lab report writing and understanding the components of a lab report is essential for anyone in any field of science, technology, engineering, math, economics, and more. Lab reports explain and breakdown experiments, which can uncover new findings and change the way things are. A study conducted in a good, honest manner with utmost integrity can change the world.
This assignment allowed me to explore a lab report that reflects a topic of interest. In this assignment I used the lab from Dyson et al. , “Coupling remote sensing and eDNA to monitor environmental impact: A pilot to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon.” This lab examines the environmental monitoring techniques and its impact on environmental issues. I was assigned to look at the lab report’s structure and how it correlated with what was present in Chapter 19 of the textbook, “Technical Communication”, by Mike Markel and Stuart A. Selber. My task was more so to analyze the structure and rhetoric of the lab report, rather than its content.
From this assignment I have enhanced my ability for reading, drafting, revising, editing, and self-assessment. Prior to this essay I did not really take revising and planning into my process when writing. However, this assignment has shown me it’s important to plan, re-read and revise my work as I can improve my writing overall. I was also able to collaborate with my peers and discuss the elements of a lab report and discuss what topics they had chosen, which helped me understand the multiple uses for a lab report within multiple disciplines of study. Lastly, I had been able to access the materials I used for this assignment through online databases within the school, which I had not previously been familiar with. Now that I am able to easily access resources from the CCNY library database I am going to ensure I use this tool for future projects and endeavors.
