GENERAL LABORATORY NOTES
All laboratory reports will be neatly hand written or typed on 8-1/2” x 11” paper. A one-inch left hand margin should be left on sheets of the report. The report must be securely bounded by assigned formatted cover sheet.
The experiments are performed by groups of several students who share the collected data. Each Lab. Partner must write her/his own report. The only part that is allowed to be common is data. All other work must be done independently. “Working together” does not mean the students to have identical or near identical reports. Identical reports will each receive 50% of earned points.
Laboratory reports must be submitted at the beginning of the laboratory period following the completion of the experiment unless otherwise specified. Two weeks will be allowed per experiment.
The conduct, attitude, approach, and technique of the student in carrying out a laboratory experiment will have a definite bearing on his/her final report grade.
Utmost precautions must be observed in the laboratory at all times. The instructor will give the safety precautions for the laboratory.
Care of Laboratory and Equipment
1. On completion of an experiment, each group or individual shall thoroughly clean and
dry all equipment used. The area in which the equipment was located must also be
left clean.
- Clean, dry, and return all borrowed tools, and instruments.
- Any breakage must be reported promptly.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LABORATORY REPORTS
The laboratory report must be written to conform to the outline listed below: under the headings, and in the order listed.
- Abstract
- Purpose
- Theory
- Apparatus
- Diagram of Apparatus (must cover an entire page)
- Procedure
- Data
- Sample Calculations
- Graphs (each graph must cover an entire page)
- Results
- Conclusions and Answer to Questions
- Bibliography
- Original Data Sheet (last page(s))
The report must be written in the past tense. The followings are the detailed instructions for the above mention items; Points
- Abstract:1
Write the abstract after completion of the entire report. This should include the purpose of the experiment, essential conclusions with final results, recommendations and applications. It should be a summary of the important
results; such that anyone reading the report would have a clear picture of what the report contains. The abstract should be brief, covering not more than half page.
- Purpose: 0.5
Write a concise statement to present purpose and scope of experiment.
- Theory: 1
A summary of the underlying principle on which the experiment is based
should be given. Necessary formulae must be presented without derivation.
- Apparatus: 0.5
Mention all instruments and apparatus used in the experiment.
- Diagram of Apparatus: 0.5
The diagram of apparatus need not be made to scale, but whenever possible,
each unit should be drawn in proportion to other units and proper standard
symbols used for instruments. Each piece of apparatus shown should be
properly labeled and identified. Strive for accuracy and neatness of
presentation. Diagram must be drawn with drafting tools.
- Procedure: 0.5
Describe the steps performed in completing the experiment. Try to be concise.
- Data: 0.5
All data taken from original data sheet should be tabulated neatly.
- Sample Calculations: 1
All calculations should be shown. If the calculations are of repetitive nature,
only sample calculations should be given. Do not mix calculations with Data” and/or “Results”. If graphs are to be plotted, make tables of (x,y) values. A computer print out of (x,y) entries will be accepted.
- Graphs: 1
Graphs are the essence of the work carried out on the table. Microsoft Excel or other graphing computer softwares should be utilized for plotting graphs. Each graph should cover an entire page and should include, title, axes labels, axes units, and equation of the graph.
- Results: 1.5
Perhaps this is the most important part of the report. Your results reflect the
proper understanding and execution of the experiment. Results should be presented in a table. One of the columns will be assigned to the theoretical or accepted values. A second column will represent your measured or experimental values. Finally, a third column will show the percent error by comparison of the theoretical and experimental values.
- Conclusions (and Answer to Questions): 1
A. An analysis and interpretentation of the results obtained, based on the
following suggested items: Discuss the results so that the reader has a
comprehensive understanding of the work.
- Are results in agreement with theory?
- Comparison with published results and reference source.
- Probable deviations and reasons for errors.
B. A criticism of methods employed in the performance of the experiment.
C. A list of where the experiment can be applied in industry.
- Bibliography: 0.5
Acknowledge each source used in writing the report.The following is the sample bibliography presentation:
Lide, David R., ed. 2003. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
- Original Data Sheet: 0.5
The last page of the report should be the copy of the data taken in the lab. including the list of equipment and instruments used in performing the experiment. Students should receive the instructor’s approval for the collected data before leaving the lab. It is possible that some items might not be utilized for certain experiments, therefore instructor applies his/her discretion for grade breakdown. In planning and arranging your report, the following items are important:
Clear Headings Alignment of work
Orderly Arrangement Uniformity in the size of letters,
Proper Margins Symbols and Figures
Neatness
In industry second party will frequently check your work in order to avoid possibilities of errors and subsequent costly mistakes. Also reports are filed for future reference therefore, it is very important that all steps clearly be shown for easy follow up which is crucial and time saver. Good planning and arrangements are important aids to prepare a successful technical report.