Google Scholar is a good resource for quickly gathering references of a specific style. It is good practice to have at least one source referenced, either from researching the context behind the experiment, best practices for the method used or similar industry standards. Referencing is critical in scientific writing it’s like giving a shout out (known as a citation) to the original provider of the information. If any external sources were used in writing the lab report, they should go here. It should summarize the findings and provide an objective review of the experiment. Refer to the materials and methods used to identify improvements that would yield better results (more accurate equipment, better experimental technique, etc.)įinally, a short paragraph to conclude the laboratory report. Address the weaknesses of the experiment.

Highlight any unexpected results or outlying data points.

Is there a particular trend? Do the results support the theory behind the experiment? It would help if you used the discussion section to address several points: Teachers and lecturers tend to give this section the most weightage when marking the report. The discussion is the most critical part of the lab report as it is a chance for you to show that you have a deep understanding of the practical and the theory behind it. It is usually appropriate to include diagrams depending on the experiment, these can range from scatter plots to chromatograms. The results section should include the raw data that has been collected in the experiment as well as calculations that are performed. Any unexpected changes to the experimental setup or techniques can also be documented here. This is usually the section that teachers and demonstrators care the least about. Step-by-step methods are usually provided in high school and undergraduate laboratory practicals, so it’s just a matter of paraphrasing them. If unclear, it is best to check with your teacher or demonstrator before writing your lab report from scratch. The example below does not include a list of materials used. Some reports require you to write down the materials used, which can be combined with this section. While a short preamble outlining the history of the techniques or materials used in the practical is appropriate, the bulk of the introduction should outline the experiment’s goals, creating a logical flow to the next section. The introduction provides context to the experiment in a couple of paragraphs and relevant diagrams. Remember that the whole report should be written in a passive voice. The abstract shows the reader the main results of the practical and helps them decide quickly whether the rest of the report is relevant to their use. Abstractįollowing this should be the abstract, 2-3 sentences summarizing the practical.

The report’s title should be short but descriptive, indicating the qualitative or quantitative nature of the practical along with the primary goal or area of focus.

Core data lab methods