Definition

A lab report is written to describe an experiment that a student performed or a process that a student has observed. Usually the lab report will be tailored to a specific audience.

 A typical lab report will contain a great deal of experimental information and data. A lab report examines your work in relation to the work of others in the same field.

 A lab report should examine:

(1) the purpose of the experiment, (2) the procedures of the experiment, (3) the expected results of the experiment, (4) the actual results of the experiment, (5) any conclusions drawn from experimental findings.

Parts of the Laboratory Report

I. Title Page II. Title III. Introduction / Purpose IV. Materials V. Methods VI. Data VII. Results VIII. Discussion / Analysis IX. Conclusions X. Figures & Graphs XI. References

Title Page
The title page is the "face" of a report. Properly designed, it not only allows the reader to grab the main topic of the lab or project quickly, but also gives the report a professional look.

The Title Page is a single page that states: 1. Title of the experiment 2. Name and the names of any lab partners 3. Instructors name 4. Date the lab was performed or the date report was submitted.

Title
Brief and describe the main point of the experiment or investigation. If possible, begin the title using a keyword rather than an article like The or A. Example: Effects of Ultraviolet Light on Borax Crystal Growth Rate

Introduction / Purpose
States the hypothesis. May contain background information. Briefly summarizes how the experiment was performed. States the findings of the experiment. Lists the conclusions of the investigation. A good introduction also provides whatever background theory, previous research, or formulas the reader needs to know.

Materials
List everything needed to complete your experiment.

Methods
Describes the steps you completed during the investigation; this is the procedure. Be sufficiently detailed. May be helpful to provide a Figure to diagram your experiment setup.

Data
Numerical data is usually presented as table. Encompasses what you recorded when you conducted the experiment. Its just the facts, not any interpretation.

Results
This section presents the data and results obtained from the experiment. The results can be summarized in table forms, plotted in to graphs or described in narrative forms. Sometimes it is combined with the Discussion (Results & Discussion).

Discussion / Analysis
Contains any calculations you made based on the numbers from the Data. Interpret the data and determine whether or not a hypothesis was accepted. Discuss any mistakes you might have made while conducting the investigation.

Conclusions
A single paragraph that sums up what happened in the experiment, whether your hypothesis was accepted or rejected, and what this means. It reviews the purpose of the lab and summarizes the implications of the experimental results.

Figures & Graphs

Labeled with a descriptive title. Label the axes on a graph; including the units of measurement. Independent variable (x-axis), Dependent variable (y-axis). Refer in the text of your report.

References
If based on someones work, or if you cited facts that require information, then you should list these references.

Making a Laboratory Report

At the beginning of your report, create a title that suggests what the investigation is about. Begin by introducing your investigation. Include any specific knowledge that the reader may need to know to understand your report.

Also in the introduction, explain to the reader why the investigation has been done and what question you were trying to answer by doing it.

Write your laboratory design by explaining in detail the procedure, enumerating the materials and apparatus, and identifying the variables.

In your observations, include all qualitative and quantitative observations. Make the analysis by explaining what the observations show. Make statements about the patterns or trends observed. Conclude the analysis by answering the question that initiated the investigation.

Judge the investigation overall. Reflect on the procedure and consider how well it worked. Explore sources of error.

Summarize the results of the lab investigation and what had been learned.