N GUAGE

A RTS
A

L
EXPLORER
JUNIOR

How to
Write
a Lab
Report by Nel Yomtov

Cherry Lake Publishing • ann arbor, michigan

 Published in the United States of America by Cherry Lake Publishing
Ann Arbor, Michigan
www.cherrylakepublishing.com

Content Adviser: Gail Dickinson, PhD, Associate Professor,

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia

Photo Credits: Page 4, ©Rob Marmion/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 5, ©Lisa

F. Young/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 6, ©Ijansempoi/Shutterstock, Inc.; page
7, ©Markus Mainka/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 14, ©Pavel L Photo and
Video/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 16, ©karelnoppe/Shutterstock, Inc.; page
20, ©Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock, Inc.

Copyright ©2014 by Cherry Lake Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in
any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Yomtov, Nelson.
How to write a lab report / by Nel Yomtov.
pages cm. — (Language arts explorer junior)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-62431-185-7 (library binding) —ISBN 978-1-62431-251-9
(e-book) 1— ISBN 978-1-62431-317-2 (paperback). Technical writing—
Juvenile literature. 2. Report writing—Juvenile literature. 3. Science—
Experiments—Juvenile literature I. Title.

T11.Y66 2013
808.06'6—dc23 2013007047

Cherry Lake Publishing would like to acknowledge the work

of The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Please visit www.p21.org
for more information.

Printed in the United States of America

Corporate Graphics, Inc.
July 2013
CLFA1

2
Table of Contents
c ha p t er o ne

Be a Super Scientist! . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
cha pt er t wo

The Scientific Method . . . . . . . . . . . 6

cha pt er t h r e e

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
cha pt er f o u r

Describing Your Experiment . . . . . 14

cha pt er f i v e

Getting Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
cha pt er Si x

Wrapping Things Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

3
 c ha p t er o n e

Be a Super Scientist!

Have you ever d

one a
science experim
ent?

Do you want to learn about the world around

you? Studying science is one of the best ways
to do it. It gives you a chance to figure things
out through exciting hands-on exploration.
There’s nothing like the thrill of conducting
your own experiments. You can do them in a
laboratory at school. You can even do
experiments at home!

4
 But how do scientists keep track of their
experiments? They write a document called a
lab report. A lab report describes the
findings of your research. It explains what
you’ve discovered. It also details the
conclusions you’ve made based on your
findings. There is a method all scientists follow
to conduct scientific experiments. It is called
the scientific method.

s is an important
Writing lab report
ting.
part of experimen
5
 c ha p t er t wo

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a way to ask and
answer questions. Scientists research and make
observations. They also do experiments. There
are generally five steps in the scientific method:
1. Make an observation. What things
make you curious to learn more? You
may have observed that plants grow
toward sunlight. Do you want to know why?
Have you ever lo
oked closely at
a plant?

6
 ion you know
Use the informat
othesis.
to think up a hyp

2. Ask a question. This narrows the

focus of your observation. Why does
the stem of a plant grow upward?
3. Make a hypothesis. A hypothesis is
your best guess for an answer to your
question. It is based on what you already
know. You know that plants need sunlight to
survive. Your hypothesis could be that plants
grow upward to reach toward sunlight.

7
 ER

A
LO R
EXP NIOR
JU

c tivity
A

Make a List
Write down at least three hypotheses you would
like to test. Think about what you already know.
What do you want to learn about? Be creative!
Here are some examples:
• Eating a good breakfast makes you more alert in
the morning.
• Tomato plants grow faster when they receive
more sunlight.
• Sugar dissolves more quickly in a hot liquid
than in a cold liquid.
sit
this activity, vi
To get a copy of ctivities.
ublishing.com/a
www.cherrylakep

4. Run an experiment. Design an

experiment. It will test your hypothesis.
You could set up plants in different positions
around light sources. Then you could see if
the plants grow toward the light.

8
 Make an
observation

The Scient
Ask a ific
question
M et h o d
Form a
Hypothesis

Conduct an
experiment

Accept the Reject the

Hypothesis Hypothesis

5. Analyze your findings and draw a

conclusion. Study the results. Do they
support your hypothesis?

9
 c ha p t er T h r e e

Getting Started
You have completed your experiment.
Now it is time to write your lab report.
Take a look at this sample before you begin.

eport
Sample Lab R
omers
Name: Kevin S
y 4, 2014
Date: Februar Grows
Tit le : T e st ing How Mold ):
Project
re a so n fo r my experiment
pose or
Question (pur on most types
of food.
at m ol d gr ow s
I observed th if fe re nt temperature
s or
w wh e th e r d
I wanted to kno want to
m ol d gr ow . T he question I
ions make
weather condit m ak e mold grow best
?
at cond it io ns
answer is: Wh st in w ar m , moist, and dar
k
old grows b e
Hypothesis: M
conditions.
s
Materials: b re ad • 2 paper bag
w h it e
• 4 slices of • 2 weeks of
• Water e
experiment tim
w ra p
• Plastic food
Methods: wrapped
t p ie ce of b read in half. I
e firs
1. I sliced th ra p. I le ft the other h
alf
stic fo od w op.
one half in pla on m y k it chen countert
en I put th e m
unwrapped. Th
10
 2. I sliced t
he second pie
ce of bread
in a paper ba in half. I put
g and closed one half
windowsill in it up. I left
sunlight. t h e second half
on a
3. I sliced t
he third pie
ce of bread
on one half e in half. I spr
very day. I le inkled water
4. I sliced t ft the other
he fourth pie half dry.
ce of bread
in a closed p in half. I put
aper bag. I le half
refrigerator f t t h e bag on the
. It is warm top of my
refrigerator t h e r e . I p ut the other
. It is dark a half in the
5. I examin n d c o ld there.
ed all eight
samples eve
recorded all ry day for t
the changes wo weeks. I
Results (the in the slices
findings of o f bread.
1. First pie my experim
ce of bread: e nt):
The wrapped
more slowly bread develo
than the unw ped mold
2. Second p r a pped bread.
iece of brea
d: The bread
bag grew mo in the darke
ld more quic ned paper
sunlight. k ly than the bre
ad left in th
e
3. Third pie
ce of bread:
The wet bre
quickly than ad developed
the dry brea mold more
4. Fourth p d.
iece of brea
d: The bread
top of the r in the closed
efrigerator paper bag on
the bread in d eveloped mo
the refriger ld more quickly
ator. than
Conclusions:
1. Mold will
eventually d
2. Mold gro evelop on all
ws best in w of the samp
arm, dark, a les.
nd moist con
ditions.

11
 Begin your report by explaining
the purpose for your experiment.
Write the question you want
to investigate in this section. You can
also explain why you want to conduct
the experiment. This can be something
you observed. It could also be something you
read about.
State your hypothesis in the next
section. Remember that a hypothesis
is a guess. It predicts what you expect
to happen. You should always include your
original hypothesis in your lab report. Include
it even if it is proven wrong by your experiment.
An incorrect hypothesis can help
provide you with new
questions. You can
use them in another
experiment.

12
 c tivity
A

The First Steps!

Begin writing your lab report by filling in what you
are studying.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Notebook paper
• Pen
• Computer (if you want to type your report)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Write your name and the date at the top of the
paper.
2. Write the project title of the experiment.
3. Write the question you want to answer.
4. Fill in your hypothesis.
visit
t h is a ctivity, ities.
f
o g e t a copy o h in g .c o m/activ
T epublis
w w .c h errylak
w

13
 c ha p t er f o u r

Describing Your
Experiment

Keep careful tra

ck of the suppli
es you use.

The next step is to describe your experiment. This

information explains the process you used. It
includes the materials you used. It also includes
the steps you took to carry out your experiment.
List all of your materials. Record how much
of them you used. Be specific. Describe the

14
 amount in weight, length, or any other
measurement you need. Include the brand
name of the materials as well.
Now describe the steps you used to conduct
the experiment. They should be listed in the
U A E
GYour
exact order you did them. instructions
NG TS
should be clear enough R to help others conduct
LA

RERInclude many
A

your experiment just as L

you
P O did.
EX NIOR
JUthe experiment took.
details. Explain how long
This section should also detail preparation
work, such as labeling your materials.

c tivity
A

Keep at It!
Continue to write your lab report. Add the list of
materials you used. Also include the steps you used
to conduct your experiment.

To get a
copy of t
www.cher his activit
rylakepub y, visit
lishing.co
m/activit
ie s.
15
 c ha p t er F i v e

Getting Results
e e t so ft w a re will help you
Spread sh
a te c h a rt s o n your computer.
cre

The next section of your lab report includes your

results. This is where you include the data or
measurements you recorded. You can include
photographs or charts to help explain the data.
This section presents your results directly. It does
not discuss or explain your thoughts on the
experiment’s outcome.

16
 Bar graphs are one of the most common
types of graphs used in lab reports. A bar graph
is good for comparing things. Below is a bar
graph that shows the results of an experiment
with paper towels.

y
o f W a t e r Absorbed b
Amount owels
n t B r a n d s of Paper T
Differe
e
p e r t o w e ls absorb mor
pp a
: Pick Me U ds.
Hypothesis a d in g p a p e r towel bran
the other le
water than

9
8
of water

7
6
5
teaspoons

4
3
2
1 D HELPER
HOUSEHOL
HANDY
0 FLUFFY
PICK ME UP
paper towel
Brand of

17
 isit
f t h is activity, v
op y o ies.
To get a c li s h in g .c om/activit
rylakepu b
www.cher

c tivity
A

Making a Graph
Let’s make a sample graph.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Graph paper
• Pencil
• Ruler

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Write your name at the top of the paper.
2. Create a bar graph using the results of an
experiment conducted with magnets and paper clips.
The hypothesis stated, “The strength of a magnet
determines the number of paper clips it can pick up.”
3. Results: Magnet One was the strongest magnet. It
picked up 12 paper clips. Magnets Two, Three, and
Four were weaker. They picked up 9, 6, and 3 paper
clips each.
4. Using the example on page 17 as a guide, write in the
title of your graph. Write the number of paper clips
along the side of the graph. Write the names of the
four magnets at the bottom of the graph.
5. Draw the height of the bar at each magnet to match
the number of paper clips that magnet picked up.
6. Color in each of the four bars in your graph.

18
c ha p t er SIX

Wrapping
Things Up
The conclusions section is the final part of your
lab report. This is where you compare your
hypothesis to the results of your experiment.
Was your hypothesis correct? Use your data
and observations to explain your findings.
You may also wish to discuss the reasons
your results turned out the way they did. It is
possible that your methods affected the results.
For example, if you ran an experiment that
used quantities of liquid, perhaps you used
instruments that could not measure them
properly. Or if your project was about plant
growth, a lack of sunshine or cold
temperatures might have affected the results.

19
 c tivity
A

Add More Information

Add your results and conclusions to the lab report
you began in the earlier activities. Include any
photographs, charts, and graphs that help explain
your data.
, visit
of this activity
To get a copy ivities.
er ry la ke pu b li shing.com/act
www.ch

riment be?
What will your next expe

20
 tivity
STOP!E A c
RIT
DON’T W K!
OO
IN THE B
Almost Done!
Before you hand in your lab report to your teacher, check
everything one more time.
YES NO Did I write my name and the date on my
lab report?
YES NO Did I write the name of my project title
on my lab report?
YES NO Did I write down my question and
hypothesis?
YES NO Did I describe my experiment carefully?
YES NO Did I list all the materials and steps I used?
YES NO Did I record my data accurately?
YES NO Are the graphs and charts I created easy
to understand? Are they properly labeled?
YES NO Did I clearly state my conclusions?
YES NO Did I explain if my hypothesis was correct?
YES NO If my results did not support my
hypothesis, did I describe any factors that
may have affected the results?
YES NO Is everything spelled correctly in my lab
report?

Did you answer “YES” to all of the questions?

Great job!
21
 Glossary
bar graphs (BAHR GRAFS) charts that compare information by
showing rectangular bars of different lengths
data (DAY-tuh) information that can be used to plan or make
conclusions
hypothesis (hye-PAHTH-uh-sus) an idea that could explain how
something works and is tested in an experiment
investigate (in-VES-tuh-gate) to gather information about something
lab report (LAB ri-PORT) a written document that describes and
analyzes an experiment that explores a scientific concept
observations (ahb-zur-VAY-shuhnz) things you have noticed by
watching carefully
scientific method (sye-uhn-TIF-ik METH-uhd) a way to ask and
answer scientific questions by making observations and doing
experiments

22
For More Information
BookS
Buczynski, Sandra. Get Ready for a Winning Science Project. Ann
Arbor, MI: Cherry Lake Publishing, 2012.

Mills, J. Elizabeth. The Everything Kids’ Easy Science Experiments

Book: Explore the World of Science Through Quick and Fun
Experiments! Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2010.

Web Sites
Lab Report Template
www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/labreport.html
Check out some helpful reminders of how to organize your lab reports.

Science Buddies—Steps of the Scientific Method

www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_
method.shtml
Explore the steps of the scientific method.

23
 Index
bar graphs, 17, 18, 20 observations, 6, 7, 12, 19

charts, 16, 20 photographs, 16, 20

checklist, 21 purpose, 10, 12
comparisons, 17, 19
conclusions, 5, 9, 11, 19, 20 questions, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13

data, 16, 19, 20 results, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

description, 14–15
samples, 10–11, 18
graphs, 17, 18, 20 scientific method, 5, 6–9
steps, 14, 15
hypotheses, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 19

materials, 10, 14–15

About the Author

Nel Yomtov is an award-winning author of nonfiction books and graphic novels for
young readers. He lives in the New York City area.

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