A blank nine-step write-up with the correct table headings. Print it for a real lesson and fill it in by hand. See the specimen lab book
Blank write-up: Field investigations
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Study Hack Lab
RP 9 · Biology
Field investigations
Write-up template
Name
Date
Course
GCSE Biology
Board and specification
AQA GCSE Biology (8461), 4.7.2.1AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464), 4.7.2.1Apparatus and techniques: AT 1, AT 3, AT 4, AT 6, AT 8
Class and teacher
Aim
Estimate the population of daisies in part of the school field using random quadrats, and use a transect to investigate how light intensity affects their distribution away from a tree.
Contents
Plan and risk assessment
Apparatus
Method
Results
Graph
Analysis
Conclusion and evaluation
Make safe and clear up
A blank write-up for use in a real lesson. The headings follow the AQA required practical; the readings are yours to take. Layout v1, practical v2. Original material; not affiliated with AQA, which has not reviewed it.
1 Plan and risk assessment
You cannot count every daisy in a field, so you count them in a sample of small areas (quadrats) and scale up. Placing the quadrats at random makes the sample represent the whole plot. To see how a factor such as light affects where a species grows, you sample along a line across the change (a transect) and measure the factor at each quadrat.
population = mean number per m² × area of the habitat
Variables
Independent (you change)
Dependent (you measure)
Control (you keep the same)
Prediction
How do you think the number of daisy plants will vary from one random quadrat to the next?
Along the transect from the tree out into the open field, where will you find the most daisy plants?
How will the light intensity change along the transect?
Risk assessment
Hazard
Harm it could cause
Control
2 Apparatus
Quadrat, 50 cm × 50 cm (0.25 m²), strung into 25 squares (resolution 0.25 m²) Marks out the same area to count in each time.
Two 30 m tape measures (resolution 1 cm) Laid at right angles along two sides of the plot as the axes of a grid.
A third 30 m tape measure (resolution 1 cm) The transect line from the tree out into the open.
Calculator with a random number key Gives the random coordinates.
Digital light meter (lux meter) (resolution 10 lux) Measures the light intensity at each quadrat on the transect.
Identification card Shows a daisy plant, so it is not confused with dandelion or plantain.
Clipboard, pencil and results table Records each count and reading at once.
3 Method
Write numbered steps someone else could follow. Say what you measure, with which instrument, and how you keep it a fair test.
4 Results
The table is drawn before you measure. Record each reading to the resolution of the instrument, then work out the mean of your repeats, leaving out any anomaly.
Daisy plants in random quadrats · Each quadrat goes down with its corner at the coordinates the random numbers give, measured along the two tapes.
Quadrat
x coordinate in m
y coordinate in m
Number of daisy plants
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Along the transect from the tree · A quadrat every 2 m along the tape, its corner on the tape. Count the daisy plants, then read the light meter on the ground in the middle of the quadrat.
Distance from the tree in m
Number of daisy plants
Light intensity in lux
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Anomalies
Ring any anomalous result. Say what probably went wrong and whether you repeated it.
5 Graph
Daisies along the transect · Draw a bar chart. Distance from the tree in m goes along the bottom.Light along the transect · Choose your axes: the independent variable goes on the x-axis. Label each axis with the quantity and unit.
6 Analysis
Mean per quadrat
mean = total of the counts ÷ number of quadrats
Answer
Median
Put the counts in order; the median is the middle one (or halfway between the middle two).
Answer
Mean per m²
A 50 cm × 50 cm quadrat is 0.5 m × 0.5 m = 0.25 m², so there are 4 quadrats in 1 m².
Answer
Estimated population
population = mean number per m² × area of the plot
Answer
Chance and the number of quadrats
Answer
7 Conclusion and evaluation
Conclusion
Conclusion: what do your results show? Use your own numbers.
Sources of error
For each, say whether it is systematic or random, and how it affected your results.
Placing the quadrats by throwing them or by choosing places
Too few quadrats in a patchy field
Counting every plant that touches the frame
Counting flower heads instead of whole plants
The daisies grow in patches (sampling error)
Light readings taken at different times
Quadrats at random distances along the transect
One transect from one tree
Improvement
How could you improve the method? Say why it would help.
8 Make safe and clear up
Pick up the quadrat
Rewind the tapes slowly, keeping fingers clear of the tape as it goes in
Switch off the light meter and put the kit back in the box