Experimental Laboratory Reports in Engineering A Template For Level 4
Experimental Laboratory Reports in Engineering A Template For Level 4
Most scientific reports use a similar structure designed to reflect a form of thinking, a
particular logic in the applied sciences, known as the scientific method. This structure is often
referred to as IMRaD, which stands for the different sections:
Introduction
Methods
Results
and
Discussion
The IMRaD structure has been in use for over 50 years and is a simple and straightforward
way of organising either lab reports or research papers in the sciences. It is worth noting that
sometimes different terminology is used and, depending on the experiment or purpose of
the report, different sections may have more or less emphasis; or other sections are also
required, such as: a title page, an abstract, a contents page (you will need to check the
precise requirements with your tutors and/or in the assessment brief).
Below is a more detailed template for writing experimental laboratory reports in engineering.
(At different sections/stages, the writing has different functions: DESCRIBING, EXPLAINING,
and/or DISCUSSING. You should keep these in mind when writing each section/stage).
RESULTS SECTION
1. Processed data, tabulated and labelled in this section (raw data is usually in the appendix and
cross referenced in the text)
2. Explanation of how the processed results were obtained from raw data
3. Processed results presented in tables and figures
4. Ensure results section flows and develops logically in an appropriate engineering style
DISCUSSION SECTION
1. Brief discussion of problems in the experiment, and how they affect the analysed results and
conclusions
2. Estimation and quantification of the uncertainties in the raw and analysed results
3. Qualitative and quantitative comparison of the observations with the theory
4. Exploration of any difference between theory and experiment (relation of the discrepancy to
the experimental uncertainties and assumptions behind the theory)
5. Discussion of whether the research question or problem has been addressed.
6. Ensure discussion section flows and develops logically in an appropriate engineering style
CONCLUSIONS SECTION
1. Conclusions: a concise summary of the key outcomes of the experiment
2. The implications of the results in relation to the problem stated in the intro.
3. Future research: Does the experiment need to be run again (because the results are
unsatisfactory) or if the results are satisfactory what research should be done next
4. Ensure conclusions section flows and develops logically in an appropriate engineering style
OVERALL PRESENTATION
1. Correct format of equations
2. Correctly formatted references and reference list
3. Accurate spelling/punctuation/grammar
4. Professional layout/format of the report
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Resource revised 2019.