Lab ReportFormat
The format for a scientific lab report will most likely
vary from instructor to instructor. What follows is a basic format
that can be used as a guide when composing a lab report. A lab report
usually consists of the following parts: title page, abstract, introduction,
materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
Usually it is acceptable to use the words “I” and “we” in
a lab report as long as statements of feeling or emotion are omitted.
Format Outline
I. Title Page gives the name of the experiment, your name and the
names of other lab partners, the date, and other information as required
by the instructor. The title page is a separate page.
II. Abstract gives a brief summary of the paper
in a concise paragraph of 100-200 words. Remember that the abstract
does not tell about the
actual experiment, but summarizes the report itself. The abstract
should be written last. In a scientific lab report, the abstract is
generally one paragraph long, and this paragraph addresses five questions
about the report. Usually each of these questions will be discussed
in one sentence:
- Why the experiment is being conducted/what problem
is being studied?
- What were the most important steps done to
solve the problem?
- What were the most important results that were
obtained?
- What do these results mean in the future?
III. Introduction presents the background information, statement
of the objective and results to provide readers with a clear picture
of the experiment. The introduction also provides the reader with
an overview of the information, organized sequentially, as it is discussed
in the remainder of the report.
a. Background information emphasizes the recent developments that
have been made which make this lab experiment necessary or important.
Significant material for the introduction may be found in the textbook
or lab manual that you are using, so sometimes a careful paraphrase
of the text will help build the background section.
b. Objective statement gives the hypothesis and purpose for the lab
report, clearly communicates the subject of the report, and familiarizes
readers with the experiment.
c. Summary provides a brief outline of the report and identifies
the independent and dependent variables involved.
d. Results reveals to readers what to expect later on in the report.
*Remember that step-by-step instructions are not discussed in the
introduction.
IV. Materials and Methods is constructed from complete lab notes
that feature data, observations, calculations and any necessary tables,
graphs or illustrations. When composing the first draft of a lab report,
the materials and methods section is usually written first because
it is the section that the rest of the paper is based on.
a. Materials section consists of a simple list of the materials used
to conduct the experiment. If necessary, the materials section may
be subdivided into two separated sections entitled subjects (animals
or people used in the experiment) and apparatus (equipment used in
the experiment).
b. Methods section describes the experiment in complete sentences
with enough detail so that a colleague could repeat it in its entirety
exactly as you have conducted it here. Avoid including information
that is not pertinent to the experiment itself.
Keep in mind that not all instructors prefer the materials to be
listed in a separate list. Some instructors may prefer that the materials
list be omitted and that the materials simply be mentioned in detail
throughout the methods section.
The materials and methods section is written in past tense using
either active (We dissected the frog.) or passive (The frog was dissected.)
voice. The choice of voice may also depend upon the preferences of
your instructor – while passive voice is a more natural approach
to reporting facts, active voice lends a more personal feeling to
the report.
V. Results presents a clear summary of data to the reader in a logical
order. The results section will include all pertinent experimental
data that was gathered during the procedure and that was used to draw
final
conclusions relating to the experiment. The results section will not
attempt to describe the methods (materials and methods section) or
interpret the data (discussion section).
a. Explanation of results highlights important findings that led
to your conclusion, but does not discuss the conclusion at this point.
All information is explained in clear paragraph form first.
b. Figures, graphs or tables display the results in a way that is
easy for the reader to comprehend and internalize. These visuals are
generally used to summarize data.
VI. Discussion section reports, interprets, analyzes and discusses
the significance of the experiment and results. This section is usually
written after the results section and is often considered the most
important part of the report.
a. Review explains the expected findings and why these types of results
were anticipated.
b. Comparison measures and relates your actual results and conclusions
against the expected findings.
c. Support states whether your results backed your hypothesis and
the degree to which they supported (or did not support) it. This section
addresses the question of why your hypothesis was (or was not) supported.
d. Conclusions expresses what conclusions can be drawn from the findings
and results of the experiment.
e. Constructive criticism addresses areas of concern in the experiment
in a positive manner and offers suggestions for future research.
VII. Conclusion summarizes the results and conclusions of the experiment
briefly and mentions some of your personal conceptions about the contribution
of the experiment to the field and future study in the discipline.
a. Summary explains the outline of the report and its final conclusions.
b. Outlook wraps up the lab report by addressing the question of
where future research should begin and what researchers should explore.
Tie this information in with your experiment and/or findings.
VIII. Reference Citations gives credit to sources that were used
when assembling the report and provides enough information for anyone
reading the report to go back and locate these sources. Always list
sources in alphabetical order according to the last name of the author.
Consult your instructor about the appropriate format for the references
section.
REVIEW
List the eight sections of a lab report. What section should be
written first? What section is considered the most important part
of the lab report
Continue to Lab Report: Notes About Tables, Graphs and Illustrations
Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and the
University of Houston-Victoria.
Created 2002 by Candice Chovanec Melzow.
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