Laboratory report

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Laboratory reports, commonly referred to as lab reports, are scientific papers that enable researchers to communicate their findings with others, e.g. findings such as results of scientific experiments. Another important function of lab reports is the record-keeping of experiments. This allows other researchers to examine or to duplicate the experiment.

Researchers and scientists often use the lab report format to publish their accomplishments. However, they are not the only ones to write these documents; most reports are done by students of high schools and colleges for schoolwork, and when they are competing in science fairs.

The format and rules of lab reports are very complicated and must be strictly followed for easier communication. However, these rules may vary in different fields or even to different people. For example, in a school, each teacher may have different preferences of format and style for lab reports from their students.

Contents

[edit] History

Further information: History of science, sociology of science, and sociology of scientific knowledge.

[edit] Format

Using the format as a guideline when composing a report will help one avoid leaving out important aspects of an experiment, making the report logical and easier to understand. Although there is not a standard format or style for such a document, most lab reports contain basic elements as listed below.

[edit] Title page

Title page is the cover for the document. On the title page, there should be some general information that helps others to identify the experiment. For example, if this lab report is a group assignment in a high school, then the title page should provide: the name of the experiment, full name of the student and his/her lab partners, and the date on which the experiment was conducted.

[edit] Abstract

Abstract is a miniature of the report of about 100–200 words. It summarises the whole report. Therefore, it is the part to be written last. A smaller and more informal lab report may not require an abstract.

[edit] Introduction

Purpose

Explains what the experiment is trying to find out, as well as the experiment's significance. Sometimes there is also a brief mention of the method used in the experiment.

Theory

Explains the theory or principles on which the experiment is based and past findings by other researchers and scientists. Any symbols or variables used in the report must be defined here. A diagram may be needed.

[edit] Equipment, materials or apparatus

Equipment, materials or apparatus itemises the setup of the experiment. A lab report in psychology, for example, will not involve the use of equipments, hence this section would not be present in a psychology lab report. However, in other fields of research such as physics, this section usually contains a diagram and explanations of how the equipments are assembled, as well as a list of materials used.

[edit] Experimental procedure

Experimental procedure is a narrative of how the experiment was conducted. It should be written in past tense and third person. The author should describe each step of the experiment in great details in this section. Another scientist should be able to read this and use it to conduct the experiment.

[edit] Results

The data obtained through the experiment is presented here in tables with descriptions. Graphs are used when they are appropriate. Also include any calculations.

[edit] Discussion

Here, the significance of the results is explained, and a conclusion is reached. The author will then list possible sources of systematic and random error, and will suggest ways to improve the design of the experiment.

[edit] References

This section provides an alphabetised list of books or other published resources cited in the report. For more information, see citation and plagiarism.

[edit] Appendices

The appendices are sections of data, diagrams, and other related items that are not included in the above sections. Each appendix should be referred to at least once from other sections of the report. For example, at the beginning of the results section, one might add: "See Appendix A: Raw Data Chart".

[edit] See also

[edit] References


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