SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION - LABORATORY REPORT FORMAT

TITLE
The title should be a brief and concise question about the main point of the experiment or
investigation

INTRODUCTION
Background:

A description which identifies and explains the science involved in the

investigation and the reason for undertaking the investigation.

Aim:

A clear and relevant statement indicating what is to be investigated and why.

Hypothesis:

A prediction about the results of an investigation based on previous knowledge.

Ideally written as an if, then and because statement which identifies the
independent, dependent and controlled variables.
Reminder:
Controlled: quantity that remains constant or unchanged throughout the
experiment - What I keep the same
Independent: quantity changed by the Scientist - What I change
Dependent: quantity observed or measured by the Scientist - What I
observe or measure

METHODOLOGY
Materials:

A list of the chemicals and equipment used in the experiment.

Quantities/sizes/volumes should be mentioned eg. 250mL beaker

Method:

A list of the steps you followed to do the experiment.

Scientific diagrams can be used to show how equipment was set up.
The method must be clear enough so that anyone reading the report would
be able to repeat the experiment.

Risks / Safety:

A list of Safety precautions, including the management of relevant risks, eg

students must wear a lab coat and safety glasses.

RESULTS
Presentation of accurate measurements and observations made during the investigation.
Graphs and tables should be used to appropriately display data - according to scientific
conventions.
Observations must be recorded as complete sentences.
Raw data should be included as an appendix.
Ballarat Grammar Science Department: April 2015

DISCUSSION
A comprehensive and accurate analysis and evaluation of the results and what they indicate.
This section can also include;
An explanation of the data, including the identification of any outliers
Any difficulties experienced during the investigation, including an evaluation of the
procedure
Sources of error
Ideas for improving the experiment
Explanation of the link between the investigation findings and relevant scientific concepts
Discussion sections often contain guided questions. Responses to these questions should
include;
A statement which answers the question
An explanation of any science ideas and concepts
An explanation of the relationship or link between the science concept and the question
Relevant data from the investigation
The discussion should be written using complete sentences and appropriate scientific language
and conventions.

CONCLUSION
The conclusion is a statement providing a justified response to the question being investigated
(what you found out during the experiment based on the results you collected). It must relate back
to the aim and state whether your hypothesis was accepted/supported or rejected/unsupported.

REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A list of references used throughout the investigation.

THINGS TO NOTE:
Laboratory reports should be presented in the order above.
Ideally, reports should be written in the third person (NO me, I, they etc.)
Descriptive responses should be detailed BUT concise

Ballarat Grammar Science Department: April 2015