Biology 302 Lab Report Rubric

1. INTRODUCTION (20)

Context (8)

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the big picture; why is this question important/ interesting in the field of biology?             
• Provide at least one explanation of why others would find the topic interesting and some relevant context for the research question(s).
• Details to include:
  • What are HL-60 cells? Where do they come from? Describe the cells.
  • Differentiation
  • PMA
  • DMSO
  • Monocytes
  • Granulocytes
  • MMP-9 and it’s signal transduction pathway

        Accuracy and relevance (6)

• Content knowledge is accurate, relevant and provides appropriate background for reader including defining critical terms.  
• Background information is specific to content.
• Primary literature references are not critical, but if cited, done accurately (Xie paper should probably be cited).

        Hypothesis (6)

• Hypotheses are clearly stated, testable and consider reasonable alternative explanations              
• At least one relevant, testable hypothesis is clearly stated.
• The hypothesis may be compared with a “null” alternative which is usually the absence of the expected result.
• Details to include:
  • Cell viability with treatments
  • Differentiation experiments
  • MMP9 expression

• MATERIALS & METHODS (10)

        Procedure, Controls & Replication

• Procedure is clearly explained.
• Appropriate controls (including replication) are present and explained and represent all variables being tested.  
• Student demonstrates a reasonable sense of why controls/ replication matter for this experiment.
• Details to include:
  • Trypan Blue Viability Assay
  • Cellular staining
    • May-Grunwald/Giemsa
  • RT-PCR
    • RNA isolation
    • RT reaction
    • PCR
  • Zymogram

• RESULTS (20)

        Data Selection (8)

• Data are comprehensive, accurate and relevant.
• Reader can fully evaluate whether the hypotheses were supported or rejected with the data provided.
• Details to include:
  • Trypan Blue data
  • May-Grunwald data
  • Agarose gel image for RT-PCR
  • Zymogram gel image

        Data Presentation (12)

• Data are summarized in a logical format with appropriate table or graph types. Properly label the data including units.
• Graph axes are appropriately labeled and scaled with informative and complete captions.
• The figure’s meaning is clear without requiring the reader to refer to the text.
• Details to include:
  • Descriptive figure title for all figures.
  • Figure caption with appropriate detail.
  • Labels on gel lanes, bands, etc.

• DISCUSSION (40)

        Conclusions based on the data selected (20)

• Conclusions are clearly and logically drawn from data provided.
• A logical chain of reasoning from hypothesis then to data and finally to conclusions is clearly and convincingly explained.        
  • Make sure to clearly define conclusions from all experiments. Tie it all together.
• Conclusions take limitations of the data into account.

        Alternative explanations / Limitations of data (10)

• Alternative explanations include possible hypothetical outcomes that may support conclusions drawn.
• Alternative explanations may be modifications of the original hypothesis and present corresponding conclusions.
• Conclusions take limitations into account.
• Details to include:
  • Use specific details on alternative explanation and limitations of the data, just saying human error is inappropriate.
    • Think critically about what may have happened in our experiments.

Significance of research (10)

• Paper gives a clear indication of the significance of the research and its future directions
• Suggests work that would fill knowledge gaps and move the field forward.
• Writing quality (10)
• Spelling and use of grammar are mostly correct (you can still tell the meaning).
• Word usage makes reader’s understanding easier.
• A clear organizational strategy is present with a logical progression of ideas.  The information is presented in an easy to read format.