Lab Report Guidelines

In General:

A Lab Report explains to the reader why, what, and how you experimented shows the measured data, calculations and the conclusion that you’ve drawn.

Rules:

1. Lab reports are done on a separate sheet of tablet or graph paper.

2. Demonstrate neatness and organization of your thoughts. What you give is what you get.

General Format: The format below should be contained in all reports and IN THIS ORDER!

Bold display indicates to write exactly as shown.

Title

Names

Date

I. Purpose:

II. Procedure: (See lab)

III. Analysis

A. Data and Observations:

B. Calculations:

C. Graph: (include only if applicable)

IV. Conclusion

Explanations:

Title; Is always given with the lab. Write the title here.

Names and Date; Include members of your group who ARE PRESENT for the lab.

I. Purpose; This is always given in a lab. You may paraphrase. Write the objective or purpose here.

II. Procedure; Only need to write “See Lab”. Although reports require you to include this, I avoid it to save you precious time. Just don’t forget that it is a part of a report.

III. Analysis; write “Analysis”

A. Data and Observations; Measurements belong here. You will need to rewrite data tables, charts, etc. here. Questions are always given. Measurements always have correct units and sig figs - Much more to be said about this later!

Example: Mass of dish and cover: 18.36 g

Mass of dish, cover, and salt: 18.90 g

B. Calculations; Questions are always given. You must show all of your calculations, with correct units and sig figs.

Example: Mass of salt: dish, cover, and salt = 18.90 g

dish and cover = 18.36 g

mass of salt 0. 54 g

C. Graphs, tables, etc; These belong in analysis. Include only when needed. Insert these at this point. Usually a separate sheet goes here. Do not attach at the end.

IV. Conclusion; Once again these questions are given. Answer all questions in complete sentences.

Example of a conclusion question:

1. Why should hot objects not be massed?

Good response: 1. Hot objects should not be massed because the heated air rises causing an artificially lower mass.

Poor response: 1. It makes it lighter.