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Writing A Lab Report Guide

This guide outlines the essential components of writing a lab report for IB science subjects, emphasizing the importance of clarity in the research question, hypothesis, and background theory. It details the structure of the report, including sections on variables, materials, procedure, data collection, processing, conclusion, evaluation, and suggested improvements. Each section is designed to ensure thorough documentation and analysis of the experiment, ultimately contributing to the final grade.

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10 views4 pages

Writing A Lab Report Guide

This guide outlines the essential components of writing a lab report for IB science subjects, emphasizing the importance of clarity in the research question, hypothesis, and background theory. It details the structure of the report, including sections on variables, materials, procedure, data collection, processing, conclusion, evaluation, and suggested improvements. Each section is designed to ensure thorough documentation and analysis of the experiment, ultimately contributing to the final grade.

Uploaded by

liatasha888
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WRITING A LAB REPORT GUIDE

Writing good lab reports is very important in IB as they make out a part of final
grades in the science subjects. The key to writing a good lab report is to find out
what is asked for and include all those parts in your report. In the report the
following items should be included:

RESEARCH QUESTION:

This is the aim of the investigation. It should be clear and focus. It is a statement of
how does “independent variable” affects “dependent variable”?

HYPOTHESIS:

A statement on the predicted relationship between the variables and the expected
result with a logical explanation. The hypothesis needs to be very clear, giving an
exact and complete description of what might happen (and why).

BACKGROUND THEORY

Outlines the relevant theory underlining the hypothesis when it is relevant or


necessary. Ensure that the sources used are correctly cited.

VARIABLES:

1. Independent Variable(s):
The independent variable is the one that is altered throughout the experiment.

2. Dependent Variable(s):
The variable that is being measured

3. Controlled Variable(s):
Those variables are kept constant throughout the experiment so that they do not
affect the experiment. List a few that are significant to the experiments.

MATERIALS USED:

Give a list of all the equipment used in the experiment. Be specific and state
definite sizes or quantities.

DIAGRAM:

Where relevant draw a labelled diagram to show the experimental set up.
PROCEDURE:

Write in paragraph preferably in past tense to describe the method of the


experiment out. Explain the steps in carrying out the experiments. The explanation
should include how the variables are measured, how the independent variables
and dependent are altered and monitored. Describe the method for data collection.

DATA COLLECTION:

Draw relevant table with the correct heading.


If the data table is carried forward on next page then the column headings should
be redone.
Sufficient number of data:
- usually minimum of 7 sets of data should be recorded.
- sufficient spread of data should be used (within the equipment limits)
- the aim is to have approximately evenly-spaced points on the graph
Data should be recorded with the correct number of decimal places. All data
recorded should be consistent with each other and with uncertainty of the
instrument.

DATA PROCESSING (A):

Write the formula use for calculation.


Write the uncertainty of calculated quantities using the rules of uncertainty
explained in chapter. N umber of decimal places in the readings should be
consistent with each other and with uncertainty of the physical quantity in the
column heading in the table.

Sample calculation:

Any calculations involved should be shown. For example, calculation of average


of a measured quantity and its propagated uncertainty value.
The calculation of the gradient of the best fit line, the maxima and the minima
should be shown.

Data presentation:

Use only suitable axis scales like 1:1, 1:2, or 1:5 and the line of best fit must cover
at least 70% of graph area.
Error bars must be drawn for both the variables and should be visible for at least
one variable.
Colours of markers and lines for line of best fit, Maxima and Minima should be
different preferably.
CONCLUSION:

Clearly state the result with the uncertainty and if appropriated state what the
result represents in the real world.
Describe fully any trends shown in the graph, for example are the variables in
direct proportion or could the straight line go through origin, if errors are taken
into account.
Discuss whether the data seems to support or refute the hypothesis. Specifically
refer to the calculations and/or graphs to support the conclusion.
Comment on any systematic error i.e. y-intercept, if it is not expected in the line of
the best fit equation.
Comment on any further random errors for example does the line of best fit go
through all the error bar (or skip some) or were the uncertainties too small or too
big.
Quote a literature value to compare the results and cite the source.
Write whether or not the literature value falls within the uncertainty range &
comment on it. Find a percentage error between the experimental result and the
literature value and comment on this difference.
Comment on the quality of procedure, apparatus and the result [if percentage
error is more that 5% then the accuracy of result is poor and if the percentage
uncertainty is more than 5% then the result is less precise].

EVALUATION:

List all possible sources of error and state whether they were systematic or
random and appreciate how significant are they or how are they affecting the main
result.
Look at the relative uncertainties of the data. If a quantity has a large uncertainty,
then it would be a weakness i.e. the result is either less precise or less accurate or
both.
Comment on errors in the assumption of any theory being tested.
Comment on any assumptions made in the method which might not have been
correct, this would be a weakness.
Comment on any faults in the method and looked at each step of the procedure
critically to determine where the method was not precise.
Comment on limitations with the method. e.g. limited data range, only
investigating a very small part of an interesting field.
Comment on errors in the equipment used (processes, use of equipment and
management of time).

Improvements:

Suggest improvements for the weakness stated in evaluation. Clearly specified and
realistic.
Address issues of precision, accuracy and reproducibility of the results, if different
equipment, are suggested be specific.
Modifications to the experimental techniques and the data range can be addressed
here.
Comment on how you could have had a better control of the variables.
Suggest ways of reducing the most significant random error and comment on how
the systematic error could be removed.

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