Introduction to Experiments

and Report Writing

Experimental Method SEMM 1911

Izhari Izmi Mazali

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 Contents

• Introduction to Experiment in Engineering

• Experimental Stages
• Log Book
• Experiments for engineering students.
• Report Writing.

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 Introduction

Definition of experiment:
• Systematic and scientific activities/procedures to validate hypotheses
or theories.
• Cause-and-effect; demonstrating outcome(s) by manipulating certain
factor(s).
• Controlling other variables to minimize their effects on the outcomes.
• Logical results analysis to produce clear conclusions.

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 Introduction
Why experiments are important in engineering?

Categories of experiment in engineering (Koto and Nasir, 2018)

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 Introduction
Why experiments are important in engineering?

Sources: Wikimedia (concrete testing, engine dyno and wind tunnel).

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 Experimental Stages

1. Stating the
2. Preparing and 3. Conducting
experiment
planning the preliminary
objective
activities properly. experiment.
clearly.

7. Writing report 5. Repeating the 4. Performing the

6. Analyzing the experiment for
or other experiment for
data. measuring data.
documentations. sufficient data.

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 Log Book

Info recorded; objective, Proper and organized

list of tools, proper tables recording method.
for results/data, Must include
comments/discussions on timeline (date,
results/data, required hours, months etc.)
information for
Log book
experimental errors.
(lab journal)

Tool for arranging and

Required since every run completing the
of experiment has slight experimental report
variations.
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 Log Book
Example of log book:

Categories of experiment in engineering (Koto and Nasir, 2018)

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 Experiments for Engineering Students

Purposes for experiments in the context of engineering students:

• To justify some theory in the textbook.
• To perform standard experiments.
• To determine the performance of some machine.
• To determine some physical constant.

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Experiments for Engineering Students
Designing an experiment:
Objective

Data
Reduction Planning

Data Methods
Gathering Valuation

Cost Analysis Uncertainty

Analysis

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 Report Writing
• No fixed page numbers, should be concise (short and precise).
• Typical number of pages; 7 (short report) to 15 (long formal report).
1. Title 5. Theory Explanation 8. Conclusion
2. Abstract 6. Experimental procedures 9. References
3. Preliminary pages a) Equipments 10. Appendices
a) Content b) Methods
b) List of Diagram c) Observations and
results
c) List of Tables
d) Experimental error
d) Symbol
assessment
4. Introduction 7. Discussion
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 Report Writing
1. Report Title or Heading:
- The report title or heading should at least contain:
- Experiment title
- Names of student or reporter
- The date of experiment.
- Note that:
- Experiment title should be brief but informative.

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 Report Writing
2. Abstract
- An overview, synopsis or summary.
- Often written last as its purpose is to provide a summary of the
report’s essential information.
- All material in the abstract will also be in the report, particularly
the Introduction.
- On a separate page after the title page, usually about 100–200
words.

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 Report Writing
• Questions to be answered to write an abstract:
- why? background problem and purpose of the report
- how? brief details of the approach/procedure/methods
- what? important results / findings
- so what? major conclusion(s) and recommendation(s)

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 Report Writing
3. Preliminary pages (Contents)
- The heading for the list of contents is Contents. The list should
clearly include:
- all major section / subdivision headings; numbered and
worded exactly as in the text of the report (minor headings
are optional)
- page numbers for each section/subsection

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Report Writing

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 Report Writing
3. Preliminary pages (Figures)
- The heading for the list of figures is Figures.
- The list is only necessary if more than a few figures appear in the
main text of the report.
- The list includes the figure number, caption, and page number,
ordered as in the text.

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Report Writing

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 Report Writing
3. Preliminary pages (Tables)
- The heading for the list of tables is Tables.
- The list is only necessary if more than a few tables appear in the
main text of the report.
- The list includes the table number, caption, and page number,
ordered as in the text.

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Report Writing

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 Report Writing
3. Preliminary pages (Symbols)
- A list of definitions should appear at the beginning of the report (if more
than ten symbols used).
- If there is no list, symbols should be defined in the text when first used.
- The heading for the list is Symbols.
- The list of symbols should include appropriate information such as the
symbol, definition, quantity to which the symbol refers, and the unit of
measurement.
- Use an appropriate number of significant figures or level of accuracy
when presenting measurements.
- The symbols are normally group and arrange in the following order
(Roman alphabets, Greek alphabets, Subscripts) 21
 Report Writing

• Measurements are in SI units for the List of Symbols.

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 Report Writing
4. Introduction
• The Introduction gives the reader the necessary background
information.
• It can include:
- a description of purpose(s) and objective(s) / topic(s)
- a statement of the problem(s)
- a survey of background information
- a review of previous work/research and the relationship to the
current project the method(s) of approach
- an indication of the scope and limitations of study
- an outline of material presented in the rest of the report
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 Report Writing
5. Theory
• A theory written in a report can be quickly understood when it is
written using a set of familiar symbols used in corresponding field
of study.
• In every engineering field there will be a set of symbols that is
used to describe theories.
• The usage of symbols in the theory must be consistent to avoid
confusion and wrong interpretation.
• In a mathematical analysis, all equations must be written clearly
and on separate line and numbered.

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 Report Writing
5. Theory
• Assumptions made in the theories must be firstly questioned if the
experimental did not confirm the predicted results
• Any conclusion resulted from that assumption must be
reexamined in detail.
• For presentation purposes, the main theory statement must be
highlighted but the detail mathematical development is better to
be placed in appendices.

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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Equipments)
• Students must describe and explain clearly and detail all the
experimental procedure to the extend that a reader can repeat the
experiment without requiring further study.
• The operating principles of an experiment apparatus should be
described clearly. It is recommended that when describing an
apparatus it is better to include a clear diagram or photograph of
it. (as the saying: a picture worth a thousand words)

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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Equipments)
• e.g. (describing an apparatus):
- “Diagram 5.8 shows the principle operation of Doppler ultrasonic
flow meter. It consist of a piezoelectric transmitter A and a
piezoelectric receiver B. Transmitter A transmit a small vibration
on to a block of wage E ……”
- Do not describe an apparatus by merely giving the physical
appearances/dimensions such as:
“ …… 18 mm diameter relieve valve is placed at the outlet of a 3.5
m3 capacity tank….”
- Simple and well known laboratory apparatus do not need further
description such as stop watch, mercury thermometer etc.
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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Equipments)
• For a special function apparatus, a special subsection describing
the functionality of the apparatus can be written.
• E.g.5.1 Apparatus
………
5.1.1 Doppler Ultrasonic Flow Meter
………
• If an apparatus description is too long, it can be placed in an
appendix.

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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Methods)
- All experimental steps and procedure must be described clearly
and arranged in a logical order.
- Any precautionary step taken has to be described clearly and given
the reason on why it is necessary.
- Experimental observation means:
• Recording data such as: pressure, Temperature, Speed etc.
• The difficulty in operating the apparatus
- All generic results and raw data must be neatly arranged in table.
- Each measurement dimension must be stated clearly and the
layout of the table should relay the differences between generic
result and raw data
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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Methods)
• All table must be labeled and numbered.
• A sample of specific calculation must be written in the report.
• A typical calculation carried out during reducing the raw data into
generic result such as averaging and calculating dimensionless
parameter should be written in log book only.
• If for some reasons, the author is compelled to show the
calculation in detail, it can be referred from the main text through
appendix that contains the calculation in great detail.

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 Report Writing

6. Experiment procedure and Result (Methods)

• The accuracy given should corresponded with the accuracy of the
apparatus etc.
• All experimental results should include the range of accuracy they
are subjected to.
• The accuracy given should corresponded with the accuracy of the
apparatus etc.

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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Observations and Results)
• All results/finding are explained typically through graphs, diagrams
etc.
• Consideration should be given as to whether the data is better
communicated to the reader by a table or a figure.
• Using tables or bulleted lists will focus the reader on relevant and
needed information.
• This technique is easier for the reader than reading another
paragraph.
• For example, write an introductory comment and then list
advantages and disadvantages of two types of dwellings in a table.

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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Observations and Results)
• Also consider that sometimes a figure will demonstrate a
numerical trend more effectively than a table.

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 Report Writing
6. Experiment procedure and Result (Observations and Results)
• If the raw data have intrinsic significance on the experiment other
than their influence on the calculated result then two graphs; one
for raw data and the other for the calculated result, should be
presented.
• Do not include any graph without giving any explanation or
describing its trend.
• All result must be discussed in detail and interpreted with the aids
of existing relevant theory.

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 Report Writing
7. Conclusions
• The conclusion(s) of a report must be related to, and resulting
from, the material which appears in the report.
• The content of the Conclusion will be linked to the Introduction.
• The Conclusion places findings in perspective without introducing
any new material, and it may include:
• a clear and concise summary of the main points
• the context and significance of the information
• a reference to the original aim(s) / purpose(s) of the report
• the application(s) of the results
• the limitations and advantages of the findings
• the student’s judgment/evaluation 35
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 Report Writing
8. Recommendations
• If they are required recommendations should emerge from the
conclusions of the report.
• This section is important to those who must act on the findings.
• Student may include a brief, persuasive statement before
presenting the recommendations clearly listed in numbered or
bullet points.
• A series of recommendations may be worded in instructional
language; for example, each beginning with a verb.
• Recommendations may involve:
• strategies, procedures or techniques for solving the problem(s)
• an indication of further work which needs to be completed
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 Report Writing
9. References
• A reference list (not to be confused with a bibliography) must
appear at the end of a report, listing all sources that have been
referred to in the text.
• The heading for this list will be References. (Students should
ensure that all sources are referenced in the text as well as in the
reference list at the end of the report.)
• There are two different types of reference lists system used in
engineering:
• alphabetical reference list according to author – used with the
author-date (Harvard) system
• numbered reference list in order of their appearance in the
text – used with the numerical (endnote) system
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 Report Writing
9. References

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 Report Writing
9. References

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 Report Writing
9. References

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 Report Writing
9. References
• The reference list only includes the sources referred to in the
report.
• A bibliography is a wider list of all texts that have been read in
preparation for writing.
• A bibliography is not usually included in an engineering report

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