Conclusions in Science

Writing a Conclusion

Five areas you can discuss in your conclusion of a lab report.

1. Restate the overall purpose of the experiment (include IV and DV in this sentence) 

One format: The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effect of the (IV) on the (DV) 

Example: The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effect of stress on the growth of bean plants by comparing the growth of bean plants subjected to stress for 15 days with a control (non-stressed plants.)

Multiple Choice

What is the first area you can discuss in your conclusion?

• Rewrite the hypothesis

• Discuss the research

• Restate the purpose

• Identify the variables

Multiple Choice

In class we will study how chewing gum impacts test scores: What is the IV

• Gum

• Students

• Test scores

Multiple Choice

In class we will study how chewing gum impacts test scores: What is the DV

• Gum

• Students

• Test Scores

Multiple Choice

In class we will study how chewing gum impacts test scores: What must remain constant?

• GUM

• STUDENTS

• TEST SCORES

2. What were the major findings? (Summarize your data and graph results) 

Example: No significant difference existed between the height of stressed plants and 

non-stressed plants. As the graph shows, the average height of all the stressed plants was 10.2 cm and the average height of all the non-stressed plants was 10.4 cm.

Multiple Choice

The second are you can discuss in your conclusion is:

• the areas of concern

• the major findings

• the hypothesis

• the procedure

3. Was the hypothesis supported by the data? 

One format: The hypothesis that (insert your hypothesis) was (supported, partially supported, or not supported.) Please do not ever use the word “prove” – we do NOT prove hypotheses true in science. 

Example: The hypothesis that stressed plants would have a dramatically lower mean height was not supported.

Multiple Select

Check all the words you could use to describe how the data relates to your hypothesis:

• supported

• proven correct

• proven wrong

• not supported

• partially supported

4. How could this experiment be improved? 

Example: This experiment relied on an artificial source of stress – just digging out the plants at one time and replanting them. Perhaps this experiment could be improved by simulating real-life stressors, including drought and lack of nutrients in soil. 

NOT acceptable: This experiment would have been better if we had done it correctly we did sloppy work and made careless measurements.

Multiple Select

It is good to discuss any mistakes you made in the experiment in your conclusion?

• True

• False

5. What could be studied next after this experiment? What new experiment could continue study of this topic?

Example: Additional investigations using various sources of stress at more frequent intervals would be a good additional experiment. Also, other crops could be subjected to the same experiment, such as corn and squash. Perhaps scientists could find a chemical that the plants release during stress.