HOW TO
PRESENT A LABORATORY REPORT
Sections of
the Report
- Title
- Objective
- Hypothesis
- Materials
- Procedure
- Data/Observations
- Analysis
- Conclusion
Title
- This is your
cover sheet.
- Should be in
the center in capital letters.
- Name, number,
period, subject, teacher, and date should be in the top right corner.
Objective
- Indicate the
purpose or objective.
- Sometimes is
indicated in the lab handout.
- If it is not
indicated write what you think the purpose is after reading it completely.
Hypothesis
- Based on prior
knowledge, state which are the expected results for this lab activity.
Materials
- List all the
materials to be used.
- Specify the
characteristics.
- Specify the
amount.
Procedure
- List all the
steps of the experiment in order.
- The lab report
should speak for itself.
- In certain
cases you may omit materials and procedure making a reference to the handout.
Data/Observations
- Display all
data in a neat, clear, and organized manner.
- All data follows
logical order (independent variable increases or decreases).
- Tables, graphs,
diagrams, charts, measurements, and all observations.
- Use graph paper
for graphs.
- All data obtained
must be kept intact in the notebook.
- This data should
never be erased.
- All data must
have units and observe significant figures.
- All graphs
need to have titles, axis labeled with units, proper usage of space, and correct
relationship between the data collected.
- All graphs
have a title with the dependent variable as a function of the independent
variable.
- Graphs follow
one of the following trends: straight line, parabola, hyperbola. Do not play
the connect the dots. Look at the big picture and draw the best-fitted curve
or line.
Analysis
- Compare/contrast
data obtained by the same individual.
- Compare/contrast
data between different individuals.
- Compare/contrast
data for different trials.
- Compare/contrast
results obtained by different groups.
- Try to find
the reasons why those results were obtained.
- Look for sources
of errors (human, instrument, experiment, etc.).
- Explain how
this sources of errors affect the results.
- Look for ways
to reduce or eliminate them.
- Suggest ways
to improve the experiment.
- Suggest follow
up experiments.
- Make references
to literature.
- Make some predictions
based on your results.
- Evaluate the
reliability of the experiment.
- Interpret all
the results.
- Answer all
the questions initially posed.
Conclusion
- It should reflect
what you learned
- It is a summary
of what the experiment demonstrated or was supposed to demonstrate.
- It should state
whether the purpose was reached or not; if it answers the question(s) initially
posed.
- It should state
whether the hypothesis (if there was any) was right or wrong specifying a
percentage of error (wherever possible).
- It must be
proven by the data obtained
- It must state
the reliability of the experiment.
Requirements
- Do not use
personal pronouns. Always write impersonally.
- Typed or neatly
handwritten. No erasures.
- Neat cover
page with a diagram or drawing representing what the experiment was about.
- Papers stapled
in logical order.
- All charts
and tables constructed with a ruler or straight edge.
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