Laboratory Report Writing Requirements
Be concise, yet descriptive!!
Short, sweet, and to the point.
An entire lab report must be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font with ½” margins.
(Begin with title)
Lab title
Your name
(listed alphabetically for group report;
authors name on top of the list for individual report)
Group members names
Date of experiment
School
City, State
Be concise, yet descriptive!!
Short, sweet, and to the point.
An entire lab report must be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font with ½” margins.
(Begin with title)
Lab title
Your name
(listed alphabetically for group report;
authors name on top of the list for individual report)
Group members names
Date of experiment
School
City, State
I. Purpose - A brief statement of the purpose of the experiment. It will be composed of at least one complete sentence. Ask yourself, “What did I do in this experiment and how did I do it?”
II. Preparation - A numerical LIST of the materials necessary to carry out the experiment. This list should include all equipment and chemicals. But does not need to include things like pen and paper.
III. Procedure - A numerical LIST of the actual steps you will follow to complete the experiment. This MUST BE in your own words. Don’t just copy from the lab handout. The list does not need to be in complete sentences. Since you already have the materials listed, you may write “Obtain materials listed above” or you can skip doing so. You should discuss setting up the lab as well as cleaning afterward. BE THOROUGH. IF YOUR PROCEDURE CAME FROM A LAB HANDOUT, SUCH AS MOST OF YOU WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH FROM PRIOR SCIENCE LABS YOU HAVE PERFORMED, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE ORIGINAL LAB HANDOUT TO HELP YOU PERFORM THE EXPERIMENT. THE PRELAB WILL BE YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF INFORMATION!
IV. Data and Observations – This section should include rewriting the qualitative and quantitative data collection portion of your procedure with greater detail including visual observations and data collected. It should begin with at least one paragraph that summarizes what your data was in written sentence form. This will be followed by at least one table of data that was collected during the lab, this may or may not include raw data depending on the lab. Include your means ± standard deviations within a table. Tables must be formatted appropriately – for example Table 1: Title of Table. This must be placed at the top of the table. All appropriate units must be used within the column or row headings.
Any appropriate graphs can be included in this section or in the Data Analysis section. Ask your teacher where he/she would prefer to see them. All graphs must be formatted properly – for example: Figure 1: Title of Graph. This must be placed at the bottom of the graph. Axes must be labeled appropriately with units.
Remember: Table title on top; Figure title on floor!
If calculations are necessary, you must show the formula used to complete the calculation. Any calculations or formulas that are necessary should be labeled as an equation. For example, Equation 1 would be first listed as seen below but then only referred to as Equation 1 in the paper:as :
2x + 3y = 22 (1)
V. Data Analysis - This is where you answer all questions. This is the most important section of the entire lab report and will probably be your longest section if everything is explained well. Graphs may be included in this section (see above). If calculations are necessary, you must show the formula used to complete the calculation. Finally, you must have a paragraph that explains WHY you got the results that you did. You will explain this showing that you have a grade-level appropriate grasp of the science needed to explain it. This is your opportunity to prove you understand and can apply the scientific concepts associated with this lab. You take your best shot at the explanation. You have to think about your thinking, in other words be metacognitive.
VI. Error Analysis - In paragraph form, begin by listing the major or most significant error that caused a dramatic change in your data. Describe how the error changed your data. Give a detailed account how you would eliminate or minimize this error next time. Any secondary errors should be in the same format in paragraph form. Only errors that had a direct effect on your results need to be discussed. Discuss only errors you know occurred, not errors that might have occurred.
II. Preparation - A numerical LIST of the materials necessary to carry out the experiment. This list should include all equipment and chemicals. But does not need to include things like pen and paper.
III. Procedure - A numerical LIST of the actual steps you will follow to complete the experiment. This MUST BE in your own words. Don’t just copy from the lab handout. The list does not need to be in complete sentences. Since you already have the materials listed, you may write “Obtain materials listed above” or you can skip doing so. You should discuss setting up the lab as well as cleaning afterward. BE THOROUGH. IF YOUR PROCEDURE CAME FROM A LAB HANDOUT, SUCH AS MOST OF YOU WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH FROM PRIOR SCIENCE LABS YOU HAVE PERFORMED, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE ORIGINAL LAB HANDOUT TO HELP YOU PERFORM THE EXPERIMENT. THE PRELAB WILL BE YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF INFORMATION!
IV. Data and Observations – This section should include rewriting the qualitative and quantitative data collection portion of your procedure with greater detail including visual observations and data collected. It should begin with at least one paragraph that summarizes what your data was in written sentence form. This will be followed by at least one table of data that was collected during the lab, this may or may not include raw data depending on the lab. Include your means ± standard deviations within a table. Tables must be formatted appropriately – for example Table 1: Title of Table. This must be placed at the top of the table. All appropriate units must be used within the column or row headings.
Any appropriate graphs can be included in this section or in the Data Analysis section. Ask your teacher where he/she would prefer to see them. All graphs must be formatted properly – for example: Figure 1: Title of Graph. This must be placed at the bottom of the graph. Axes must be labeled appropriately with units.
Remember: Table title on top; Figure title on floor!
If calculations are necessary, you must show the formula used to complete the calculation. Any calculations or formulas that are necessary should be labeled as an equation. For example, Equation 1 would be first listed as seen below but then only referred to as Equation 1 in the paper:as :
2x + 3y = 22 (1)
V. Data Analysis - This is where you answer all questions. This is the most important section of the entire lab report and will probably be your longest section if everything is explained well. Graphs may be included in this section (see above). If calculations are necessary, you must show the formula used to complete the calculation. Finally, you must have a paragraph that explains WHY you got the results that you did. You will explain this showing that you have a grade-level appropriate grasp of the science needed to explain it. This is your opportunity to prove you understand and can apply the scientific concepts associated with this lab. You take your best shot at the explanation. You have to think about your thinking, in other words be metacognitive.
VI. Error Analysis - In paragraph form, begin by listing the major or most significant error that caused a dramatic change in your data. Describe how the error changed your data. Give a detailed account how you would eliminate or minimize this error next time. Any secondary errors should be in the same format in paragraph form. Only errors that had a direct effect on your results need to be discussed. Discuss only errors you know occurred, not errors that might have occurred.