Directions
Now that the lab is complete, it is time to write your lab report. The purpose of this guide is to help you write a clear and concise report that summarizes the lab you have just completed.
The lab report is composed of four sections:
Section I: Experimental Overview
Provide background information.
Include the hypothesis(es).
Summarize the procedures.
Section II: Data and Observations
Summarize the data you collected in the lab guide.
Include information from data tables.
Include any written observations that are relevant.
Section III: Analysis and Discussion
Discuss any important calculations or formulas used.
Identify key results, what the results indicate, and any trends in the data.
Include graphs (if constructed) that display trends in the data.
Provide possible reasons for any problems with the experiment, or unexpected data.
Section IV: Conclusions
Identify if the hypothesis(es) was (were) supported or refuted.
Provide logical reasoning based on data.
Explain how the experiment could be improved.
To help you write your lab report, you will first answer the questions listed below by reflecting on the experiment you have just completed. Then you will use the answers to these questions to write the lab report that you will turn into your teacher.
You can upload your completed report with the upload tool in formats such as OpenOffice.org, Microsoft Word, or PDF. Alternatively, your teacher may ask you to turn in a paper copy of your report or use a web-based writing tool.
Questions:
1. What was the purpose of the lab?
2. What were the hypothesis(es) for the lab?
3. What procedures did you follow in the lab?
4. What data did you collect in the lab?
5. What observations did you make during the lab?
6. Did you perform any calculations or use any formulas in the lab? If so, which ones?
7. What were the key results of the lab and what do they indicate?
8. Did you notice any trends in the data? If so, what were they?
9. Did you encounter any problems during the experiment or obtain any unexpected data? If so, what could be the possible reasons for them?
10. Based on the data and results, were the hypothesis(es) supported or refuted?
11. What logical reasoning can you provide based on the data?
12. How could the experiment be improved?