MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MALAWI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

APPLIED STUDIES DEPARTMENT
PHYSICS SECTION

LAB REPORT FORMAT

Overview

The goal of laboratory reports is to document results and communicate their significance.
A good laboratory report does more than present data; it demonstrates the writer's
comprehension of the concepts behind the data, and the significance of the results. The
following is a format for a Physics lab report that you will use to report your work and
document your results.

 Title Page
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods and Materials (or Equipment)
 Experimental Procedure
 Results and Discussion
 Conclusion
 References
 Appendices

1. The Title Page

The Title Page must contain the name of the experiment, the full names of lab
partners, and the date. Submittal information (course name, number and instructor)
must also be provided. Titles should be straightforward, informative, and less than
ten words (i.e. Not "Lab #1" but "Effect of Temperature on the Resistance of a Piece of
Wire").
 MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MALAWI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

APPLIED STUDIES DEPARTMENT

PHYSICS SECTION

LABORATORY REPORT

FROM: Group Membe 1 Reg#

Group member 2 Reg#
Group member 3 Reg#

Submitted to: Course Lecturer/Tutor/Lab Technician

Course name: Electricity and Magnetism, Vibration and Waves

Course Code: PHYS-122

Experiment Title: Effect of temperature on the resistance of wire

Experiment Date: 26/05/2017

Submission Date: 01/06/2017

2. The Abstract

The Abstract summarizes four essential aspects of the report: the purpose of the
experiment, key results, significance and major conclusions. The abstract often also
includes a brief reference to theory or methodology. The information should clearly
enable readers to decide whether they need to read the whole report. The abstract
should be one paragraph of 100-200 words. The abstract is often written last.

3. The Introduction

The Introduction states the objective and scope of the experiment (or report) and
provides the reader with background to the experiment. The relevance and
importance of the experiment should be explained. The Introduction provides a
preview of the content of the full report. From the Introduction, the reader should
understand why the study was performed.

Note on Verb Tense

 The experiment is already finished. Use the past tense when talking about the
experiment.

"The objective of the experiment was..."

 The report, the theory and permanent equipment still exist; therefore, these get
the present tense when referring to these:

"The purpose of this report is..."

"The Ideal Gas Law is ..."
"The Spectrophotometer measures ...

4. Background (or Theory)

This section explains the scientific principles that apply to the experiment and are
relevant to the analysis and interpretation of results. The background or theory
section should explain relevant equations as well.

5. Methods and Materials (or Equipment)

This section provides the source (company name and location) of all materials used,
and the model and manufacturer for all specialized laboratory equipment, and a
 description of all methods of measurement. If a standard published method is used, it
must be referenced appropriately.

6. Experimental Procedure

This section describes the process in chronological order. Using clear paragraph
structure, explain all steps in the order they were performed. If the procedure is
properly described, another researcher should be able to duplicate the experiment.

The procedure is always written in past tense and passive voice.

Correct: Ground coffee was weighed on an analytical balance.

Incorrect: We weighed ground coffee on an analytical balance

You weigh coffee on an analytical balance
Weigh the coffee on an analytical balance

It should not be written in the same format as a laboratory handout, which instructs
the experimenter to perform a series of steps.

7. Results and Discussion

This section presents the findings and interprets their significance. All results should be
explained, analyzed, and interpreted.

Analysis and Interpretation

 What do the results indicate clearly?
 What is the significance of the results?
 Compare expected results with observed results. What ambiguities exist
between the expected and observed results? Logical explanations should be
provided.

 Analyze experimental error.

Was it avoidable? Was it a result of equipment? If an experiment was within

the tolerances, there can still be a deviation from the ideal. If the flaws result
from the experimental design explain how the design might be improved.

 Explain results in terms of theoretical issues.

When comparing observed results to expected results, the expected results

should always be based on sound scientific principles. These principles, along
with relevant equations, should be provided in the Theory (or Background)
section of the report.
  Compare your results to similar investigations.

It is desirable to compare your results to published results of related studies. If

published information is unavailable, you may compare your results to those
of other teams in the class.

 Analyze the strengths and limitations of your experimental design.

This is particularly useful if a new or original design has been used.

 Use Graphs and Tables to provide a visual summary of results

The results are often conveniently expressed using graphs, figures, and tables,
but must always be explained in the text.

It is never acceptable to present data in a graph or table without explaining

them. Results must always be explained and analyzed in the text.

It is never acceptable to simply present a table without specifically directing the

reader to it in the text.

 Put Sample Calculations and Raw Data in Appendices.

Sample calculations and raw data should be put in an Appendix. Refer to

these Appendices in the report by directing the reader to them for the specific
information provided (never just leave it up to the reader to discover the
appendices).

8. Conclusions

In this section the significance and implications of the findings are summarized. The
conclusions must be consistent with the stated objectives and with the results. The
conclusion might also be a place to discuss weaknesses of experimental design, and
what future work needs to be done to extend the conclusions.

All recommendations for future work should be positive, relevant, constructive,

useful, and practical.

9. References

References must be included if information from outside sources is included in the

report. Any material or information taken from another source must be specifically
cited (footnoted) in the text, and the references should appear at the end of the
 document in endnote format. The References section is not simply a reading list of
books and articles on the subject.

10. Appendices

The Appendices should include such elements as raw data, calculations, graphs
pictures or tables that have not been included in the report itself. Each kind of item
should be contained in a separate appendix. Each Appendix should have a letter
designation (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) and a descriptive title. For example, the
results section might begin by noting: "Laboratory Data for Electrical Resistance as a
Function of Temperature." Make sure you refer to each appendix at least once in
your report.

Format Requirements

It is important to prepare a laboratory report that reflects a high degree of

professionalism. Keep in mind that this is a written record and is a reflection of your
professionalism and competence. Every course instructor, boss, company, and agency
that you work with throughout your career will have different format requirements, but
you must follow them! All format guidelines are established to produce readable,
visually appealing, clearly structured documents.

Freshman Clinic Laboratory Report Format

- Prepare all documents using a word processor, and print on a high quality printer.
- Use standard fonts: either Times New Roman or Arial or Maiandra GD.
- Use 12 point font.
- Paragraphs should be double spaced with the first line indented 0.5 inches.
- Use headings to provide structure and enhance readability. Headings should be in
the same font, with bold format.
- Skip one line above and below headings.
- Use page numbering (pages before the Abstract should not be numbered. The
Abstract starts on page 1). Pages should be numbered at the bottom of the page in
the center.
- Figures and Tables must be numbered.
- Equations must be centered in the line and numbered, with the equation number
right-justified.
- References cited should be provided as endnotes. All references should be
complete, and in standard bibliographic format.
Books
Author, Title, Edition, Volume, Publisher,City, Year.
Cole, P.J., Haiku of Philadelphia, 2nd ed., William C. Brown, New York, 1996.
Edited Books
Editor (ed.). Title, Edition ed, Volume. Publisher, City, Year.
Bergey, D.H., J.G. Holt, and N.R. Kreig (ed.), Bergey's Manual of Determinative
Bacteriology., Williams and Wilkins, New York, 1984..
Reference format for Lecture Notes and Handouts
Author, Title, Course, Institution, City, Year.
Sheil, J, Laboratory Handout: Determination of Paint Composition, Experimental
Methods in Egyptology, Columbia University, 1986.
Reference format for Journal Articles
Author, Title, Journal, Volume(Issue) Year, Pages.
S. Farrell, J. A.. Newell and M. J. Savelski, Introducing Chemical Engineering Students
to Product Design through the Investigation of Commercial Beer, Chem. Eng. Educ.,
36(2) 2002, 11-20.