A laboratory report has three main functions:
(1) To provide a record of the experiments and raw data included in the report,
(2) To provide sufficient information to reproduce or extend the data, and
(3) To analyze the data, present conclusions and make recommendations based on the experimental work.
Cover Sheet:
This page has the title of the experiment, your name, your lab partner’s names, the date that the lab was performed.
Introduction:
The purpose or problem states the reason(s) why you are doing the experiment. Write down exactly the problem that will be investigated or experimented. Purposes can be stated as a question.
Hypothesis, Theory and Assumptions:
You should write all mathematical equations for a particular experiment as well as all definitions for specific terms. E.g., if you are going to use the term velocity in the experiment, you must write the definition for the velocity form your text book.
Assumptions are also very important for explaining the theory. In first experiment we assume that the friction form air and the wooden board is negligible.
What do you expect to find? The hypothesis can be stated as an "If..., then..." statement. The 'If' part of the statement is based on related facts that you know to be true. The 'then' part of the statement is an educated guess on the outcome of the experiment. The hypothesis does not have to guess the correct outcome, but the experiment must be set up to test the hypothesis.
Apparatus:
This is a list of all equipment and chemicals used to do the experiment. Please include quantities.
Procedure:
The procedure tells exactly what you did. Make statements in the passive voice in past tense. Be specific. The procedure you use affects the results. So, it is important to be accurate in explaining what you did. The procedure is written in paragraph form.
Data and Calculation:
The observations tell exactly what happened when you did the lab. An observation is measurable information that comes to you through your senses. Results include experimental (raw) data in the form of well-labeled tables, graphs, drawings and other observations. Place your observations and data in this section without discussion or comment. This is where you include any calculations made during the experiment. Show calculations in a neat and orderly outline form. Include a brief description of the calculation, the equation, numbers from your data substituted into the equation and the result.
Typing the equation into the lab report is not required; it is easier and faster to print these calculations neatly by hand. If you wish to type this section, then use the equation editor in Microsoft Word.
Conclusion:
Conclusions explain your observations and describe how your data relates to the problem. It is written in paragraph/essay form and should include why you did this experiment (restate the purpose/problem). You should explain in your own words what you found out or discovered. Your conclusion should state whether or not the data confirms or rejects your hypothesis. Discuss any errors as well as any patterns you see. Part of the conclusion may be a new hypothesis based on your findings and suggestions for testing the new hypothesis in a different experiment. You may also make any predictions you would expect based on what you discovered. You must also address “What would you do to improve the experiment?”.
- Do draw a picture of the experiment, if appropriate.
- Don’t say that the purpose was accomplished and then say nothing substantially more. You must include data from the lab results to demonstrate that the purpose was accomplished.
- Don’t give the procedure again.
- Don’t list the data again. It was already listed in the data (chart, table, etc.). You are to discuss and draw conclusions from the data.
- Don’t forget to break up your ideas with more than one paragraph, if necessary.
Note:
- No student should copy data from anyone who is not his or her lab partner.
- You may discuss the experiment with your lab partner and other classmates, but the lab report that you turn in must be your own work. Lab reports are subject to all the rules governing academic honesty.