SNC 2D

How To Write a Lab Report

Scientists use experiments as a key part of their scientific work. It is essential that scientists are
able to perform experiments, draw conclusions, and to clearly communicate both their results and
the meaning of those results. Lab reports are the primary communication tool for experimental
results.

A quality lab report will be precise, accurate and well organized.

A lab report should thoroughly explain the following (as if the reader doesn’t know anything about the lab):
 Why the experiment was conducted  The results
 How the experiment was done  What the results mean (possible inferences
& conclusions)
Title Page
The title of the lab in large font in the upper middle section of the page.
At the bottom of the page, centered and in smaller font, you should list your name, your teacher’s
name, the course code, the due date for the lab report.

The breakdown of a lab report may vary slightly. In this class these are the sections we will be using:
(These sections should be included in the order they are listed in)

Purpose
The reason you conducted the lab and are writing the report.

Hypothesis
The hypothesis predicts the results and is an answer to the purpose.
** ‘I think…’ Should never be part of the purpose or hypothesis, always write in the third person.

Materials
A list of all materials used in the experiment. This should include all of the equipment as well as any
required chemicals.
(When a materials list is provided on a hand out, write “refer to lab handout” in this section)

Procedure
Numbered steps clearly written in full sentences to describe how the experiment was done. Each
step should begin with a command verb like a recipe (e.g. Measure the…, Place the… Weigh the…)
**The reader should be able to reproduce the lab from these instructions**
(When a procedure is provided on a hand out, write “refer to lab handout” in this section)

Observations
 Observations should be as complete and accurate as possible.
 Include only what you observed or experienced (no inferences).
 Your observations section should be as organized as possible – paragraphs, tables, diagrams, etc.
 Give all tables, graphs, charts and diagrams meaningful titles
 Use units where necessary (write them once in the table heading or on the axes of graphs).

Conclusion
State the results and whether your results support your hypothesis or not.
Indicate any sources of error or any interesting things that were noted.
 Discussion Questions
Answer any questions that accompanied or were assigned with the experiment.
Overall Appearance
 Your lab report should be typed
 The text should be 1.5 or double-spaced for easy marking
 The title of each section should be underlined
 Your report should be neat and organized in the proper order
 You should attach work you did during the lab to the back of your good copy.
 Your report should be stapled in the top left corner (no fancy folders or paperclips please!)
 Make sure to check spelling and grammar before you hand in your report (have someone else
proof-read too!)

Never
 Use personal words like “I”, “we”, or “you”—Lab reports are always impersonal. (third person)
 Write in point form (except in the Materials section)
 Forget to put titles on any table, graph or diagram
 Use fonts that are difficult to read

Example Marking Scheme:

Title Page: 0 1 2
Purpose: 0 1 2 3
Hypothesis 0 1 2 3
Materials 0 1 2 3
Procedure 0 1 2 3 4 5
Observations 0 1 2 3 4 5
Conclusion 0 1 2 3 4 5
Discussion Questions (marks will depend on questions)
Grammar
Spelling
Quality and Appearance
Note: on some labs you will not be required to re-copy materials and procedure from a handout, in
those cases, provide the heading and say “please refer to lab handout”. Those sections will be
worth 1 mark each.
Lab Report Communication Rubric
Level (%) R (0-49%) 1(50 – 59%) 2(60 – 69%) 3(70 – 79%) 4(80 – 100%)
Report does not use Impersonal third Report is consistently Report is written in
third person. person somewhat written in impersonal third past passive third
Titles and labels of consistent person person.
Style diagrams/tables are Diagrams/tables are All diagrams/tables have Titles and labels on
missing. present but titles and are labelled diagrams/tables
inconsistent titles and correctly exceed expectations
labels
Not all main Main points are Main points are Report is written without Main points are fully
points are partially explained. explained but not in assumption of prior explained without
explained or Examples and/or reproducible detail. knowledge. Examples assumption of prior
included. diagrams are Examples and/or and/or diagrams are knowledge. Examples
Content
Examples somewhat lacking. diagrams are included included where and/or diagrams are
and/or where appropriate/required. included where
diagrams are appropriate/required appropriate/required
missing.
Parts of the Disorganized eport is Report neat and Report is typed and Organization and
Structure &
report are and/or illegible but mostly organized organized according to structure exceed
Organization
missing. has all parts according to handout. handout. expectations.
Grammar, Grammar and Frequent errors in Grammar and spelling Grammar and spelling Grammar and spelling
spelling & spelling errors grammar and spelling are somewhat correct. are mostly correct. are mostly correct.
mechanics impede are present. Most Use of scientific Scientific terminology is Scientific terminology
understanding scientific terminology terminology is mostly used correctly. is used frequently and
of all or is used correct. correctly.
portions of the inappropriately.
text.