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Electrical and Computer Engineering Lab Report Guidelines2

The document provides guidelines for writing lab reports at the University of Utah. It outlines the typical components of a lab report which include a title page, table of contents, abstract/summary, introduction, body, conclusion, and references. The body section describes the methods/procedures, results, and discussion sections. The purpose of a lab report is to document findings, communicate their significance, and enable others to understand and replicate the work. Lab reports should be written objectively in the third person.

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Della Nur Ika Saputri
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70 views

Electrical and Computer Engineering Lab Report Guidelines2

The document provides guidelines for writing lab reports at the University of Utah. It outlines the typical components of a lab report which include a title page, table of contents, abstract/summary, introduction, body, conclusion, and references. The body section describes the methods/procedures, results, and discussion sections. The purpose of a lab report is to document findings, communicate their significance, and enable others to understand and replicate the work. Lab reports should be written objectively in the third person.

Uploaded by

Della Nur Ika Saputri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Electrical and Computer Engineering Lab Report Guidelines

University of Utah
Prepared by April A. Kedroic!" #irector" Center for Engineering Leadership
Lab reports
$
are one of the most fre%uently ritten documents in engineering. &he
purpose of lab reports is to document findings and communicate their significance. Good
lab reports represent data" demonstrate comprehension of concepts" and enable
individuals to understand and replicate the or' ithout difficulty. &he typical
components of a lab report include(
&itle page
&able of Contents
Abstract or )ummary
*ntroduction
+ody
o ,ethods or Procedures
o Results
o #iscussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
References
Appendices
Title Page - &he title page should include the name of the e.periment in caps" the names
of all lab partners ith the name of the leader underlined" and the date. All information is
centered on the page.
Abstract /)ummary0 - &he abstract is typically one paragraph /1223 ords0 that
summari!es the purpose of the report" the methods employed" the 'ey findings" and the
significance or ma4or conclusions. &his section should include concise statements and
contain specific information.
Introduction - &he introduction should include the purpose /hat as tested0" problem
/hy as the e.periment conducted0" and scope /hat as analy!ed0 of the report. *n
addition" introductions can sometimes include 4ustification of the e.periment5s
importance. *t can also refer to relevant theory and important previous studies. &he goal
is to supply sufficient bac'ground for readers to understand and evaluate the e.periment
and its results ithout having to read previous publications.
Body &his section describes and demonstrates in detail the ,ethods" Results" and
#iscussion generated by the report.
$
Lab reports in industry can ta'e many variations including pro4ect reports" feasibility reports" or
laboratory reports intended to present e.perimental results.
Methods /Procedures0 - &he methods section should include a description of the
apparatus or e%uipment used" and a description of the process or procedures
folloed in chronological order. &his section should include enough detail so that
another researcher could duplicate the e.periment /graphs" diagrams" or
spreadsheets should be included0. Also include any calculations used to conduct
the e.periment.
Results - &he results are the data that the e.periment yielded. Although results
should be stated in verbal form" also include tables" charts" graphs" or calculations.
Remember to label them6 A clear statement draing attention to the results ill
help readers interpret any figures. #o not include all of your ra data in this
section. E.tract that hich is important and put the rest in an appendi..
Remember to reference any appendices as necessary. &ip( )tate results in clear
language and in past tense.
Discussion - &he discussion presents an interpretation of the data. &his is the
most important part because it is here that the e.perimenter/s0 demonstrate
understanding of the e.periment and related concepts. &he purpose of the
discussion section is to e.plain" analy!e" and interpret. &he significance or
meaning of the results should be communicated. 7ocus this section as appropriate
by( comparing e.pected results ith actual results" analy!ing e.perimental error"
e.plaining results in terms of theoretical issues" relating results to the
e.perimental ob4ectives" comparing results to similar investigations" and
analy!ing the strengths and limitation of the e.perimental design. &ip( )ummari!e
the degree to hich the e.periment achieved its goals.
Conclusion and Recommendations - &his section should present overall conclusions
relating to the original purpose of the study. List conclusions in order of importance and
lin' them to information in previous sections of the report. &he conclusion should include
a statement of hat is 'non 8for sure9 as ell as any recommendations" including ho
to improve performance if redesigning the product. )tate hat actions should be ta'en
based on the results of the study.
References - Appropriately document any te.tual research" fieldor'" and primary
sources /intervies" observations" surveys0.
Appendices - &he appendices include any data" calculations" graphs" pictures" or tables
that ere not included in the report. Each item should be contained in a separate
appendi.. Remember" if an appendi. is included" it must be referenced in the report at
least once.
:)tyle tips( Lab reports are ritten using an ob4ective stance or third person point of
vie. All ma4or headings are in caps and centered on the page.
Checklist for lab report peerre!ie" process(
*s the purpose clearly e.plained;
*s the problem clearly stated;
*s the scope of the e.periment stated;
*s the apparatus or e%uipment clearly described;
Are the procedures detailed in chronological order;
Are the results stated in verbal form;
Are figures labeled;
Are the results properly interpreted;
*s the significance of the results clearly stated;
#oes the conclusion state hat is 'non for sure;
Are relevant recommendations included;
Are outside references properly documented;
Are appendices referenced in the report;
*nformation for this handout as compiled from several sources(
<$= Alred" G." +rusa C." and >liu" ? /122@0. Aandboo' of &echnical ?riting. Be Cor'( +edfordD)t.
,artin5s.
<1= Engineering Communication Center at the University of &oronto" &echnical ?riting in the )chool of
Engineering at the University of #ayton.
<@= 7in'elstein" L. /$EEE0. Poc'et +oo' of &echnical ?riting for Engineers and )cientists. Be Cor'(
,cGra3Aill.

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