Q General Information Unknown reports in microbiology are written in scientific format. Scientific writing is different from other types of writing in that the results of the exercise or experiment are being showcased, not the writing. The purpose of scientific writing is NOT to entertain, but to inform. The writing should be simple and easy to understand, and it should be written in your OWN WORDS. Copying and pasting work from other students, or any other sources is plagiarism. Citing Work There is a specific style that must be followed when writing scientific reports. To learn more, please read the References and Plagiarism page. Writing Scientific writing is typically written in the passive voice. The pronouns “I”, “we”, and “they” are not used. For example, instead of writing “I used a TSA plate to isolate my unknown….” It is customary to write, “A tryptic soy agar (TSA) plate was used to isolate the unknown.” It is also customary to write in the past tense for most of the report. This includes the summary, introduction, description of materials and methods, and the results. The present tense is reserved for the conclusions and results. Some other general rules that should be followed are: Microbial nomenclature The name of the bacterium should be written out and spelled correctly. The name should be italicized for typed text. For example, Staphylococcus aureus. The genus is capitalized but the species is not. After the full genus name is first used in the paper, it can be written as S. aureus, but still italicized. This is as long as there is no other genus in the paper that starts with the same letter. For example, if you have a Staphylococcus species and a Salmonella species as your unknowns, you cannot abbreviate the name. Formatting The report should be typed using a 12-point with a font such as Arial, and should be 1.5-spaced. The lab report will be graded on content, as well as spelling, grammar, punctuation, and organization. ________________________________________ Sections of the Unknown Lab Report TITLE Identification of _______________________ INTRODUCTION This section introduces the reader to the study and why the study was done. This should only be a few sentences long. For example: “...There are many reasons for identifying an unknown bacterium. The reasons range from…[explain 2-3 reasons why you may want to identify an unknown bacterium]. This study was done by applying all of the methods that have been learned in the microbiology laboratory class for the identification of an unknown bacterium...” MATERIALS AND METHODS (OMIT) This is where the details of the study are listed. Where did the specimen come from and what methods were used to identify it? Be specific but do not rewrite the lab manual. One way is to mention the names of the media and reagents used, and reference the lab manual or notes for the procedure or method, and elaborate when necessary. It is NOT necessary to write out the methods in detail, since this lab report is for the identification of an unknown bacterium and the methods are explained in detail in the lab workbook. RESULTS This is where the results are summarized. The method results should be in a table format Download table format. You can download and use the linked table to type your own data/results or for reference. Record the color changes or the reactions that were observed. Record results appropriately, according to the test. Include a legend for abbreviations or any use of letter. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION There should be 2 parts: 1. 1. This section interprets the meaning of the results. How did the test results lead to identification? When discussing the results, specify which organisms were ruled-out and which were ruled-in by each test result. This provides the logic and analysis for the identification of the unknown. 2. Background information about the identified organism (environment preferred, pathogenicity, interesting cellular structures, an interesting fact, etc.). Example of a discussion: After several differential tests, it was concluded that unknown G was Escherichia coli. After performing the Gram stain to determine that the unknown was a Gram negative rod, the organism was grown on a tryptic soy agar slant for use in inoculating the rest of the biochemical tests. All of the biochemical tests worked well except for the indole test. It gave a false negative result at first. This was determined since it was inconsistent with the rest of the result. It was suggested that the test be repeated and it was repeated. The repeated test gave a positive result, consistent with the other data. Therefore, it was concluded that the unknown was Escherichia coli. THIS CAN BE ELABORATED MORE FOR EACH TEST. E. coli is in the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is typically found in the intestines of humans, as well as other mammals. It can cause disease in the right host. THE REST OF THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE RESEARCHED FROM THE TEXTBOOK, INTERNET RELIABLE SOURCE OR OTHER MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCES. REFERENCES The minimum number of references is 3, which MUST include the lab manual OR textbook, and the CDC website. The other reference may NOT be Wikipedia or sites that end in .com or .net (typically not reliable). References should be listed using an appropriate professional citation and/or reference format (i.e. MLA or APA). You can learn more about them by reviewing a citation guide (Links to an external site.). In-text citations should be used where appropriate. Laboratory handouts should be respectively referenced as such: • o Escudero, L., (2022). Microbiology Laboratory Handouts. Lab 1: Microscopy. West Los Angeles College. ________________________________________ Report Submission The report should be submitted on Canvas as pdf, doc, docx files ONLY. NO PLAGIARISM. Any plagiarism will result in a zero. You can find more information about plagiarism in the Academic Integrity page. The types of file accepted are: .pdf, .doc, .docx The report must be submitted by the due date stated on the assignment. Late reports will ONLY be accepted up to 24hrs late with a 10% penalty. Section Scores 30 pts Introduction 5 Results 5 Discussion: Interpretation of results, Background/Description 15 Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation 2 References 3 Modified from: http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/biology/bio210/lab/demers/Howtowriteanunknownlabrepor.pdf (Links to an external site.) Rubric Unknown Report Unknown Report Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction 5 to >4.0 pts Provides reader with the necessary information to understand the present study. Does not contain superfluous information (background and purpose) and/or is not wordy. 4 to >2.5 pts Contains some superfluous information. Missing some needed background information. Gives too much information. 2.5 to >0.0 pts Contains significant superfluous information. 0 pts Missing a description of the specific purpose and background of the study. 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResults 5 to >4.0 pts All results are presented and presented appropriately. 4 to >3.0 pts One test is missing or result does not correspond to the correct one. 3 to >0.0 pts More than one missing or incorrect results. 0 pts No results or too many missing. 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiscussion: Results Interpretation 7.5 to >6.0 pts The results are interpreted clearly without describing the methods and results in details. In lab project: The problems encountered are described and explained. 6 to >4.5 pts The results are interpreted clearly but the methods and results are described in too many details. In lab project: Problems encountered are described and explained. 4.5 to >0.0 pts Several results are not interpreted clearly or properly. In lab project: Some problems are not described. 0 pts The interpretation of the results is confusing and no proper conclusion can be stated. 7.5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiscussion: Bacteria Background/Description 7.5 to >6.0 pts The background of the identified species is correct. 6 to >3.75 pts There is one mistake or an important fact missing about the species. 3.75 to >0.0 pts The background contains too little details about the identified species. 0 pts No relevant background provided. 7.5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSpelling, Grammar, Punctuation 2 to >1.0 pts Few grammatical errors, typos and misspellings. Appropriate word selection. Correct scientific notation. Passive voice used. 1 to >0.0 pts Several grammatical errors, typos, and misspelling written. 0 pts Many grammatical errors, misspelled words, usage errors (e.g., effect vs. affect). Many improper scientific notations. No passive voice(use of I, we, etc.). 2 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReferences 3 to >1.5 pts All cited sources present - All references cited in the body. Used required format. References all highly relevant. 1.5 to >0.0 pts Most cited sources used. Required format used for most. Not all references relevant and appropriate. 0 pts Many sources absent. Inappropriate format. References are not relevant/appropriate. 3 pts Total Points: 30 PreviousNext