Limnology Lab Reports
Biology 3371; Dr. Dirnberger;  Kennesaw State University

General overall advice:  Do not attempt to explain every bit of the data we collect.  Focus on the central question/hypothesis/prediction and first decide what data will be most useful in addressing these.  As you analyze this data and develop your argument, try to use other parts of the data set to support your argument.  Some of the data we collect are likely to be irrelevant to your argument, so don't report these in your Result and don't disucuss these in your results.

In the Results, state overall trends that are important to your conclusions.  Cite specific data to support these trends.  The focus of your Results (both text and graphs) should be to make it as easy as possible for your reader to grasp the data trends important to supporting the conclusions you draw in the Discussion.

In your Discussion, do not focus on how you think the world ought to be, but instead on how the actual data support or do not your predictions and hypothesis.

Don't assume our data are going to support our hypothesis.  Again, look at the data first.  The whole point of a scientific investigation is that prior to the study one does not know whether the hypothesis is valid.   If the data do not support the hypothesis, that's important to know and science is still advanced (i.e. if we convincingly reject that hypothesis, that's one less alternative hypothesis to worry about).

Double space your report.  Be concise.

If you need or would like help with your writing, contact the KSU Writing Center, a free service offered to all KSU students.  Experienced writing assistants work with you throughout the writing process (on concerns such as topic development, revision, research, documentation, grammar, and mechanics) although assistants cannot edit or proofread your paper for you.  Appointments are strongly encouraged.  For more information or to make an appointment, visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter, or stop by Room 242 in the English Building.


Lab #1 - Physical/Chemical; Lake Allatoona

For this lab, turn in three sections (length should be no more than 7 pages not counting graphs, please double space):

For your data analysis and graphs, you may work in groups. However, each person must write his/her own results and discussion sections.

Observations:  
Based on historical data sets, water entering Lake Allatoona differs in numerous physical and chemical parameters from water discharged from the dam. The lake some how greatly influences water as it moves through. Surface water at the dam also differs from discharge water, indicating that at least some of these differences are due to differences among depth in processes that affect water quality.


Central Question:
 

What factors explain the vertical distributions of physical and chemical parameters?


Hypothesis:
 

Light influences the vertical distributions of other physical and chemical parameters.


Predictions:
There are two generals ways that you all suggested we test this hypothesis, and you should take advantage of both.  One involves examining the general vertical distribution of parameters and determining whether they can be explained by vertical patterns in light.


The second involves comparing stations that vary in light properties.  Light is likely to vary among stations due to suspended solids, but you should first establish this by comparing light data (use photometric profiles, turbidity data, and secchi data).

 
Related questions you must address: