The Lab Report format

•Lab reports are the primary form of communication between scientists.
•It is how you as a scientist represent yourself professionaly
•The record of data may also be useful to future scientists
•Unless otherwise directed use the metric system
•Note that data is plural and datum is singular
•Use formal language. Avoid using the first person, I or we, in writing. Keep your writing impersonal, in the third person. Instead of saying, "We weighed the frogs and put them in a glass jar," write, "The frogs were weighed and put in a glass jar."
•If a procedure is provided you can attach it instead of rewriting it.
•If you are writing a procedure, be as specific and detailed as possible. Can your procedure be repeated by just reading it?
•Some people use title pages. I DO NOT.
•Reports can be worth anywhere from 20 to 50 points.
•Most students lose points on incomplete results and conclusions. The reasons for this are two-fold; 1. they are the most difficult part and 2. students are finishing reports at the last minute.


•All Lab reports are to utilize this format (discreet sections, labeled as below) •When writing Conserve Paper!Use both sides and eliminate unused white space.
INTRODUCTION
• A title, your names, the date, and class period
• Provide all appropriate background information for reader. If you don't know how to do this, start by looking at the vocabulary words in the lab and paraphrase what your textbook says about those words. If you are savy enough to use the intertube then google the lab you're doing and see if someone else has done something similar. Also use wikipedia.
• Clearly state the purpose of the investigation. I look for this sentance: “The purpose of this investigation is…”
• State the hypothesis or hypotheses. I look for this sentance: “The hypothesis is that if... then...”
• Why is this lab being done? (Not cause we have to) Why is this an important study? What useful applications does this affect?
• Use third person. No I, We, Our, ect. “this experiment” not “our experiment. “the investigators thought” not “we thought”


MATERIALS,METHODS,AND PROCEDURES
•List the materials (be as specific as possible) used in the investigation
•List (and describe, if appropriate) the procedures employed
•If the procedure was provided prior to your investigation you may attach it to your report. It is important to note any deviations which may have occurred from the protocol.
•describes the process in chronological order. Using clear paragraph structure, explain all steps in the order they actually happened, not as they were supposed to happen.
•If you've done this right another researcher will be able to duplicate your experiment
•This part is like giving directions to a driver, or writing a recipie, if the driver ends up in the wrong place or the food tastes wrong, you need to improve this.


RESULTS
•Present all data in clear and concise forms (at times, graph paper or other materials may be provided for this purpose)
•Label and give titles to all charts, graphs, table, diagrams, ect.
•Note trends or significant results for the reader. Add a sentance or two in order to draw the readers attention to what is significant.


DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS
•Evaluate data in light of your hypothesis. Rewrite your hypothesis and say if the data supports it or not and why. Avoid the word "Prove"
•Interpret and analyze the data for the reader. Offer possible explanations or reasons for your obtained data.
•In light of your materials and procedure, evaluate the experiment. Suggest improvements or further possible studies. Statistical analysis of your data belong here. Other calculations belong here.
•Include an error analysis. Describe sources of possible error or the limitations of your materials or procedure. Suggest means of reducing these errors. There are always errors.
•The instructor may supply additional questions, the answers belong here.