how to write a lab report

1. A Lab Report is a clear, detailed outline of your experiment in a specific format.
It is used to describe and analyze the procedures followed and data collected.

2. Part One
Pre-Experiment
1 Choose a Title
This is the name of the experiment you are doing. It should be descriptive, yet concise.
It says what you did. No wasted words eg «studies on», «investigation of».
Aim for ten words or less.

3. 2 Abstract – a potted history
Aims, methods, results and conclusions. 250 words max.

4. 3 Introduction - Determine the purpose
Para 1 What we know. Para 2 What we don’t know. Para 3 Why we did this study ie the purpose.
The purpose should be stated in one sentence. It can also be stated as a question.
Eg : The purpose of this experiment is to determine the boiling points of different substances using three different samples.
Eg : Does red and blue paint mix to make green paint?
Max 1 page

5. 4 Determine the Hypothesis
An educated guess of what the outcome of the experiment will be.
It is based on prior knowledge or experiments. Your experiment will determine if it is supported or not supported.
o The hypothesis should be stated in one sentence.
o Use an "If this, then this .. Because of this …" format for writing your hypothesis. Have "if this" be what you changed, "then this" be
your result of the change. "Because of this" is why the reaction occurs.
o An example of a hypothesis is: If I throw a ball from a fifteenth story balcony, it will make a crack in the pavement.

6. 5 Method - Explain your procedure
What you did. Not a set of instructions. Exact steps and exact measurements, precautions & variables.
o Be clear. Provide enough detail so that anyone can complete the experiment.
o Don’t over explain or add in irrelevant information.
o The procedure and materials list can be combined into one paragraph.

7. 5 Method – list your materials
Include all the materials used. Anyone should be able to repeat your experiment and verify your claims.
List the material in a complete sentence. In the order that you used them.

8. 1 Perform the experiment
Complete all of the steps in Part 1 before performing the experiment.
Writing out the hypothesis, purpose, & introduction material helps you understand the the experiment results.
It will prevent you from changing your hypothesis based on the outcome of the experiment.
Part Two
The Experiment

9. 2 Record the Results
Record your observations in a clear, logical manner.
Organise data and categorise it so it is easy to read and understand.
o Include data tables, graphs, or any notes made during the experiment here. Data tables should be labeled clearly,
and all units of measurement recorded.

10. 3 Discussion of the results
Interpret the results by explaining them, analysing what they mean, and comparing them. If something
unexpected happened, speculate as to why that happened. Hypothesize what might happen if a variable in
the experiment was changed.

11. 4 Conclusion - Accept / reject hypothesis
Explain if your hypothesis was correct or incorrect.
Use data from the experiment to support why. Include a list of References.
Are there multiple conclusions that can be reached from the data?
If so, make sure to say that. Explain what the other conclusions are.

12. 4 Conclusion - References
Provide a list of sources of information which you have used. Give credit to all those involved.

13. 5 Conclusion – Clarify missing data
Identify any errors in your data, or data that is extreme and does not fit with the other data.
Discuss reasons why the data might be wrong.
State what you could do differently to improve the quality and preciseness of the experiment.

14. Review where the experiment is at

15. Go back to the beginning