Lab Report Format

 

Abstract

An abstract is a short summary giving the most important information about your experiment.  It should be brief and include the following:

 

ü       Title:  Title should be descriptive of the content

ü       Objective:  1or 2 sentences telling why this study is important.  This should include your question.  That is, what are you testing and why is this important.

ü       Hypothesis:  1 sentence stating the hypothesis that you are testing.

ü       Methods:  2- 3 sentences.  A brief summary of your procedures and .  How  exactly did you set up the experiement.

ü       Results:      1-2 sentences.  Briefly tell what your data reveals.  Quantify your results.  Example:  23 % of the plants died within one week.

ü       Conclusion:  1-2 sentences.  Summarize your results, be specific.   Was the hypothesis supported or not. 

 

Introduction:

 

Ø       This section contains background theory and information about the subject of the 

        investigation.  In text quotes of sources.

Ø       States the objective and importance of study.

Ø       States the question(s) that the study addresses.

Ø       States the hypothesis (es) that are being tested.

 

Methods & Materials:

 

Ø       Clearly states the experimental design.

Ø       Provides detailed description of materials used.

Ø       Provides detailed information about the methods used.

 

Data & Observations:

 

Ø       Displays data in an organized manner such as charts, graphs, illustrations, etc.

Ø       Brief statements describing data displays.

Analysis of Data:

 

Ø       Gives the reader quantative interpretation of the data.  That is comparisons using

       percentage, ratio, and statistical results.

Ø      Interprets results to reader, that is tells what the data displays mean.

 

Conclusion and Discussion:

 

Ø       States if hypothesis(es) have been supported or rejected by the results of this study.

Ø       Discuss why the hypothesis (es) are supported or rejected, using the data analysis as

       evidence.

Ø       Discuss any problems that may have altered results such as a constant variable that

        could not be controlled, human error, error due to instrumentation, etc.

Ø       Suggests future questions for research concerning this study, or suggestions for further

             investigations.