LAB REPORT GUIDELINES

Technical Paper - General Tips

  • The Technical Paper should notbe written in the first person. (No “I” “me” or “you)
  • The paper should be DOUBLE SPACED (anything in paragraph form) SINGLE SPACE (lists) using Times New Roman.
  • Font size should be 12 pt

Title Page

  • In the center of the middle of the page: Title of the Project or Lab
  • In the lower right portion of the page include: Your name, Period , Date, Teacher, School

Table of Contents

This should include each section title of the paper and the page number on which it begins. The sections are:

  • Introduction
  • Problem
  • Hypothesis
  • Materials
  • Procedure
  • Data and Results
  • Analysis/Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Application to Society
  • Bibliography

Introduction

  • It should be written in present tense and in third person. (He, she)
  • This presents the research or background information. The length will depend on the nature of the topic. Relatively new topics may have less information than older ones. Be sure and include any other prior research that has been done.
  • Include the following:
  • The rationale (why is the experiment being conducted?)
  • The purpose (what will be determined? what will you learn?)
  • The hypothesis (what do you think the outcome will be?)
  • Current research or background information on the topic

Problem/Purpose

In 1-2 sentences, describe precisely the reason for the experiment and what the expectations are.

Hypothesis

This indicates the predicted outcome of the experiment based on the background information. The results of experimentation will support or refute the hypothesis. (Written in “If….then…”)

Materials (bulleted list)

The items, equipment, chemicals, anything that is used during experimentation are listed in detail. Be sure and include measurements. It should be such that, if one is trying to duplicate the experiment, the exact materials can be purchased.

Procedure (numbered list)

  • In recipe fashion, the steps in the performance of the experiment are listed. These must be exact - such as including the amounts of each item to be used. The procedure must be written in such a way that the experiment can be duplicated.
  • It is essential that this be accurate and precise.
  • You must identify the:
  • Independent variable(s)
  • Dependent variable(s)
  • Constant variable(s)
  • Control Group
  • Experimental Group

Data/Results

There are two types of data (always include BOTH in your lab report):

  • Quantitative - numerical measurements
  • Qualitative - based on the senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, sound)

These observations should be organized into tables, when possible. If possible, graphical presentations should be made. Please remember the following points:

  • Tables and graphs need a title.
  • Be sure and include units of measurement.
  • Label the x and the y axes of the graph.
  • The independent variable should be on the x-axis
  • This includes data tables, graphs, pictures and calculations.

Analysis

This is a discussion of the results of the experiment and the MOST IMPORTANT PART of your lab report. The following are some guidelines for these discussions.

Discussing quantitative data:

  1. Write a topic sentence regarding the data in the tables that includes the independent variable(s), the dependent variable(s) and references to the appropriate tables and/or graphs.
  2. Discuss all calculations.
  3. Describe how the data supports the hypothesis or how it does not support the hypothesis (if applicable).

Discussing Qualitative data:

  1. Write a topic sentence that includes the independent variable(s), the dependent variable(s), and references to the appropriate tables and/or graphs.
  2. Describe how the data supports the hypothesis or how it does not support the hypothesis (if applicable).

In addition to the explanation of the graphs, this should include the following:

  1. Explain how the data supports or refutes the hypothesis.
  2. State whether the hypothesis is accepted or rejected based on supporting or refuting data.
  3. Experimental errors should be discussed in detail!
  4. If the project is repeated, what should be done differently
  5. Suggest future experiments.

Conclusions

This summarizes the entire report. It should be about 4-5 sentences long. You should summarize the purpose and background of this lab, and restate whether you accepted or rejected your hypothesis and WHY.

  1. Restate the purpose of the experiment
  2. Discuss the major findings.
  3. Show the support/nonsupport of the hypothesis. Offer explanations of the reasons the data did not support the hypothesis, if this is the case.

Application to Society

In this section the importance of the research is discussed. Why is it beneficial? How will the findings affect the world we live in? How will this research and knowledge make you more globally aware?