Format for Laboratory Reports
This text describes a general format for lab reports. A good lab report does more than present data; it demonstrates the writer's comprehension of the concepts behind the data. Merely recording the expected and observed results is not sufficient. Bear in mind that a format, however helpful, cannot replace clear thinking and organized writing. You still need to organize your ideas carefully and express them coherently.
Title Page needs to contain the name of the experiment, the names of lab partners, and the date.
Abstract summarizes four essential aspects of the report: the purpose of the experiment (the purpose of the report), key findings, significance and major conclusions. The abstract can also include a brief reference to theory or methodology. The information should clearly enable readers to decide whether they need to read your whole report. The abstract should be one paragraph of 100-200 words
Introduction states the objective of the experiment and provides the reader with background to the experiment. State the topic of your report clearly and concisely, in one or two sentences Introduction also provides background theory, previous research, or expressions (equations) the reader needs to know in order to follow the experiment. You need not repeat the lab manual, but show your own understanding of the problem. If the amount of introductory material seems to be extensive consider splitting in into subsections. The Introduction section must present (1) purpose of the experiment and (2) background information and/or theory. It also May include description of specialized equipment and justification of experiment's importance
Equipment and Experimental Setup This section can be a simple list, but make sure it is accurate and complete. In most cases you need to provide a block diagram or a schematic explaining the measurement setup.
Measurement Procedures (or Methods) discusses how the experiment occurred. Documenting the procedures of your laboratory experiment is important not only so that others can repeat your results but also so that you can replicate the work later, if the need arises. You need to describe 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.
Results and Discussion section contains calculations, tables and figures; however, you still need to state and explain all significant results explicitly in verbal form. The heart of a laboratory report is the presentation of the results and the discussion of those results. In some formats, "Results" and "Discussion" appear as two sections.
Graphs need to be clear, easily interpreted, properly labelled and need to include Figure captions. An important strategy for making your results effective is to draw the reader's attention to them with a
sentence or two, so the reader has a focus when reading the graph. To learn how to do this properly simply analyse a good (well written) experimental journal paper. Your raw data (especially if the size is considerable) can be placed in an appendix. Refer to appendices as necessary.
Discussion is the most important part of your report, because here, you show that you understand the experiment beyond the simple level of completing it. Explain. Analyse. Interpret. You may like to think of this as the "subjective" part of the report. This means that the material you place in the Discussion section is what is not readily observable. This section of the report focuses on a question of understanding "What is the significance or meaning of the results?" To answer this question, use both aspects of discussion the analysis and the interpretation.
●Compare expected results with those obtained.
If there were differences, how can you account for them? Saying "human error" implies you're incompetent. Be specific; for example, the instruments could not measure precisely, the sample was not pure or was contaminated, or calculated values did not take account of friction.
●Analyse experimental errors.
Was it avoidable? Was it a result of equipment? If an experiment was within the tolerances, you can still account for the difference from the ideal. If the flaws result from the experimental design explain how the design might be improved. Starting from the known errors of sensors and instruments estimate the error of the measured quantity.
●Relate results to your experimental objectives.
●Compare your results to similar investigations.
In some cases, it is legitimate to compare outcomes with classmates, not to change your answer, but to look for any anomalies between the groups and discuss those.
●Analyse the strengths and limitations of this particular measurement setup.
This is particularly useful if you need to design a similar measure3ment setup in the future
Conclusion can be very short in most undergraduate laboratories. Simply state what you identified with certainty as a result of the measurement.
References include your lab manual and any additional references you have used including print, electronic and online resources. References have to be presented in an appropriate standard format (IEEE, Optical Society of America, AIP, APS). Make sure you refer to each reference at least once in your report, if you don't, then it is likely you do not need that reference at all.
Appendices One type of appendix that appears in laboratory reports presents information that is too detailed to be placed into the body of the report. Typically they include raw data, calculations, graphs pictures or tables that have not been included in the report itself and manufacturer's Data Sheets. Each group of data should be contained in a separate appendix. Make sure you refer to each appendix at least once in your report, if you don't then it is likely you do not need that data or it should not be in the appendix