St. Lawrence University

Geology Department

Laboratory Manual

GEOLOGY 103 Dynamic Earth

2nd Edition
2007

Introduction

In Dynamic Earth (GEOL 103) you will be asked to submit laboratory reports summarizing the observations you have made and data you have collected on several field trips to local sites. The Geology Department has a standard format we ask you to follow and it is outlined below. The format is conservative of space and follows all of the rules of the written word you are familiar with (i.e. grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure). Typically scientific reports and papers differ from papers in the humanities in their brevity, directness, and organization. Verbose styles or the excessive use of adjectives are unneeded and strongly discouraged.

Basic Format of the Laboratory Report

A laboratory report for Dynamic Earth will have the following format:

Ø Title Page/Section

Ø Introduction

Ø Methods

Ø Data and Observations

Ø Interpretations

Ø Conclusion

Ø References Cited

Ø Map, Figures, Tables, Charts, if any

A Short Description of Each Section of Your Report

TitlePage/Section - Your title should concisely convey the subject of the report to the reader. The title must contain enough information to be an effective representation of your work. The title page must also include the author, the names of any lab or field partners, your laboratory instructor’s name, your lab session, and the date of submittal. To conserve paper you may begin the introduction of your report on the title page. An example of a typical title section is shown below:

Laboratory Manual for Dynamic Earth

Jeff Chiarenzelli

Lab Partner - George Stone

Instructor - Dr. Stephen Robinson

Monday Lab Session – GEOL 103A

August 29, 2006

Introduction - Your introduction section will provide the background information needed to orient the reader. It will acquaint the reader with the topic, describe the location and problem, and, in some cases, provide essential information you may have learned in class or from the literature or even from your textbook in preparation for the laboratory. It never contains data that you have collected or conclusions. A location map or figure is often a useful addition.

Methods - The methods section provides a summary of how the information you are about to describe was collected and any equipment or materials (maps, aerial photographs, etc.) you may have used. For most of the Dynamic Earth field labs this section will be brief as it will primarily involve observations of the features pointed out by the instructor or teaching assistants and the use of simply tests (scratching, dilute HCl, observation with a hand-lens).

Data and Observations - This section is the “meat” of your laboratory report. Data includes facts and observations. If data is collected then graphs, tables, and figures are often used to help organize and present it. All figures and tables used have captions and are referred to in this section. Most geology laboratories will require careful observation and description and this will be presented in this section. Save your interpretations for the next section.

Interpretations – You should use this section to discuss what your data and observations indicate in terms of the problem at hand. For instance if the site you are describing contains a layered sequence of sedimentary rocks containing rippled and mud cracked surfaces you might suggest that the area was once covered by shallow water necessary to form the ripples. During periods of drying, the mud cracks formed by desiccation of the exposed surface. This all happened, of course, before the entire rock section was buried and lithified.

Conclusions – The concluding section of your report is reserved for emphasizing the most important conclusions of your report in a clear and concise manner. From the discussion above you might conclude that the locality you visited was once intermittently covered by shallow water.

References Cited – If you use information from another source in your report, perhaps your textbook or a geological map, you must cite it in your references. This may or may not be needed in your reports, although everyone is highly encouraged to do some investigation on their own related to the laboratory assignments. For example, it would be very useful to consult a geological map to determine the name and approximate age of the rocks you visit!

Logistics

When do I hand in my lab? - The Geology Department will not accept late labs. You must turn in the laboratory prior to the start of next week’s laboratory.

Where do I hand in my lab? - Boxes for each laboratory section are located outside of Room 144 in the Geology Department. Please put your lab in the appropriate slot, there is one for each of the lab instructors.

Does everyone have to hand in a lab report? - Even if you work in a group or with a partner you are responsible for turning in your own lab. The lab reports will be similar but each one must be in the author’s own words. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and the best way to avoid it is to do your own writing and cite any references utilized.

Geez, I need an example and additional information? - The complete laboratory manual for geology courses and sample lab report is available on my “T” Drive and on the ANGEL course site for this class. It has numerous examples, tips, and information related to laboratory reports.