How to Write a Lab Report

In all aspects of this class you will be investigating the nature of science. I believe that the best way to do this is through hands on experience and laboratory activities. The lab is a place for you to actively engage in the process of “SCIENCE”. Along with this goes the importance of writing a laboratory report. The lab report is not only a time for you to share the results discovered during experimentation, but it is also an opportunity for you to analyze your procedure, and evaluate any mistakes you may have made. Remember that science is imperfect … we learn new information by trying new things and continuing to ask questions outside of class. 

In this class, lab reports must always be word processed. Figures and graphs should be generated on the computer and must include a title and units. Your lab reports are the most accurate and helpful record of what goes on in science class this year. Keep them … the information may prove useful in your subsequent science courses!  P.S. - You may e-mail your lab reports to Miss C the morning they are due instead of bringing them into class.

Every lab report must consist of: 

1)     Title: The title should indicate what the laboratory report is about. it should be brief, start with a key word, and indicate the nature of the investigation.

2)    Introduction / Purpose: In one paragraph, explain the objectives, or purpose of the investigation. In one clear sentence, state your hypothesis. You may also briefly summarize how the experiment was conducted, the findings of the experiment, and the conclusions of the experiment.

3)     Materials: This is a complete list of everything you needed to complete your experiment.

4)     Methods: This section is a detailed narrative describing the steps you completed during the lab. It is your procedure. Any random person should be able to read this section and duplicate your experiment. Write it as if you are writing instructions for someone else to complete the lab.

5)     Results: In this part of the laboratory report, you organize and summarize the data generated by your experiment. You should discuss your data table in words.

 ü  Data Table: often times, a data table is used to represent the results of an experiment.  Any numbers entered into the data table must be complete with units. Your table must also be labeled with a descriptive title. 

6)  Discussion / Analysis: In this section you must discuss and interpret the results of your investigation. It is important to reflect back on your hypothesis in this section - Can you support your hypothesis? Must you reject it? Also, use this section to discuss any mistakes you may have made while performing the experiment. If your data is "weird" try to figure out where you went wrong. Finally, suggest how the investigation might have been improved.

7)    Conclusions: This section should be one good paragraph. It is the most important part of the report. For every report you must answer the following questions in the conclusion section:       

ü      What does your data tell you about the experiment?

ü      What happened in the experiment?

ü      What did you learn from completing this experiment?   

8)  Figures & Graphs: Graphs and figures must both be labeled with a descriptive title. Both axes on a graph must be labeled with specific units of measure. The independent variable should always be recorded on the X-axis. The dependent variable is recorded on the Y-axis.

P.S.: Lab reports are to be submitted as professional documents. For this reason, points will be taken off for spelling and grammatical errors.