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Lab Report Form

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2 views

Lab Report Form

Uploaded by

myimadrid7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PREPARING A LAB REPORT

A SCIENTIST MUST BE ABLE TO REPORT WHAT HE OR SHE


LEARNS IN AN ORDERLY MANNER. A LAB REPORT IS A
PIECE OF WORK OF YOUR FINDINGS ORGANIZED INTO
SEVERAL
SECTIONS ACCORDING TO A FORMAT THAT REFLECTS THE
LOGIC OF A SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT. THE PAPER BEARS THE
FOLLOWING:

1. Title
This should be specific and informative. The title should tell
exactly what you are studying.

2. Abstract (summary)
Summarize the major points of the paper.
The Abstract is a short passage (usually 250 words or less) that appears just after the
title and author(s) and summarizes the major elements of the paper: objectives, methods,
results, and conclusions. It is typically written as a single paragraph.
Although readers see the Abstract first, it is easiest to write it last, once you have a
good overview of the paper. One way to write an Abstract is to list, one by one, all the
important points covered in each section of the paper. Write complete sentences if you can.
Make successive revisions, paring the list down bit by bit, omitting peripheral topics and
details, until you have revealed the "skeleton" of the study.

Be specific and concise.


As a summary, an Abstract must be both informative and brief. Avoid general,
descriptive statements that merely hint at your results or serve only as a rough table of
contents. Consider every sentence, every word. Could you say the same thing more
economically?

3. Introduction
The Introduction of a research paper sets the stage for your scientific argument. It places your
work in a broad theoretical context and gives readers enough information to appreciate your
objectives. A good Introduction "hooks" its readers, interesting them in the study and its
potential significance. Thus you, as a writer, must have a firm grasp ofthe aims, principle
findings, and relevance ofyour research. You may find that the Introduction is easiest to write
after you have drafted the Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion sections and have a
clearer understanding ofjust what you are introducing.
PREPARING A LAB REPORT

4. Materials and Methods


Include enough information so that your study could be
repeated.
Materials: List all equipment used and all materials used.
Methods: Describe the procedure in detail. Describe how
you did the lab by explaining the steps you used to set up
and use the equipment and materials.

5. Results
Summarize and illustrate your findings.
The Results section should (1) summarize the data, emphasizing important patterns or
trends, and (2) illustrate and support your generalizations with explanatory details, statistics,
examples of representative cases, and tables and/or figures. To convey the results clearly, your
writing must be well organized. Present the data in a logical order, ifpossible in the order in
which you described your methods. Use the past tense. Do not interpret the data or draw
major conclusions.
The Results section should be a straightforward report of the data. Do not compare your
findings with those of other researchers, and do not discuss why your results were or were not
consist with your predictions. Avoid speculating about the causes of particular findings or about
their significance. Save such comments for the Discussion. Integrate quantitative data with the
text.
Omit peripheral information and unnecessary details.

6. Discussion
Interpret your results, supporting your conclusion with
evidence.
Do not present every conceivable explanation.
Recognize the importance of "negative" results.
Make your prose convey confidence and authority. Use a
coherent, logical organization.

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