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Lab Report Writing Guidelines

The document provides guidelines for writing an effective lab report. It explains that a lab report has a specific structure and purpose, which is to clearly communicate experimental results and provide enough information for others to evaluate and replicate the experiment. The key sections of a lab report are typically an abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions section. The document provides tips for each section and emphasizes taking detailed notes, following instructions, and allowing sufficient time for writing and revision.

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40 views2 pages

Lab Report Writing Guidelines

The document provides guidelines for writing an effective lab report. It explains that a lab report has a specific structure and purpose, which is to clearly communicate experimental results and provide enough information for others to evaluate and replicate the experiment. The key sections of a lab report are typically an abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions section. The document provides tips for each section and emphasizes taking detailed notes, following instructions, and allowing sufficient time for writing and revision.

Uploaded by

easymoneysniper
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UMC Writing Center Handouts

Lab Reports
“The unity of all science consists alone in its method, not its materials” - Karl Pearson, The Grammar of Science

A lab report is a formal record of your research process, results, and conclusions. A well-written lab report
will allow your reader to easily understand your data and evaluate your methods. Below are some of the most
widely-accepted guidelines for writing a lab report. (Of course, the principles and guidelines outlined on the
“Science Writing” handout apply to lab reports as well).

WHO IS MY AUDIENCE AND WHAT DO THEY WANT?


Like all forms of writing, the structure, style, and purpose of a lab report is determined by the report’s
audience. In general, readers of lab reports want two things: to understand the information gained during
your experiment and to be able to evaluate the legitimacy of that information. This means that you have two
goals when writing your lab report: clearly communicating your results (as well as your interpretation of them)
and providing all the information necessary to allow someone to verify them by repeating your experiment.
The definition of audience in the paragraph above is fairly abstract. Who, for example, is this “someone”
who would be repeating your experiment? In practical terms, of course, your lab report will mostly likely be
read and evaluated by your professor. However, this is not the audience you should address in the report
itself. Like a professional scientist writing for a journal, you should address your lab report to your peers.
That is, imagine a typical student in your field (though not necessarily in your class). How much detail and
information would they need to repeat your experiment? Which technical terms might they need explained to
them? Addressing your lab report to this imaginary student will allow you to demonstrate your own mastery
of the material to your professor.

THE STRUCTURE OF A LAB REPORT


The structure of a lab report follows its purpose: lab reports are made up of multiple clearly-labeled sections,
each of which contains different information. This makes it easy for the reader to locate the information they
are looking for. The order and names of these sections varies by discipline and instructor, so be sure to
follow your instructor’s requirements. What follows is a brief summary of the most common sections of a
lab report.
Title: the title should be specific enough to reflect the emphasis and contents of your report. It should be no
more than two lines long.
Abstract: the abstract should give your reader all the information they need to decide if your experiment is
relevant to them. It should clearly and concisely summarize the purpose, scope, methods, results, and
conclusions of your report. Abstracts are written in the present tense.
Introduction: the introduction puts your experiment in context of your field of study. It should discuss the
rationale behind the experiment, the reasons the experiment was performed, and your hypothesis. It should
also describe the relevant scientific principles and research on which the experiment builds. The introduction
is particularly important in college lab reports, because it is where you demonstrate your understanding of
your instructor’s rationale for assigning the lab.
Methods and Materials (or Materials and Methods or Experimental): the name of this section depends
on your instructor and discipline, but the content will be the same. The methods and materials section
describes the process of performing the experiment. It should be detailed enough to allow someone else to
duplicate the experiment, but it should not be written as a set of steps (or in “recipe” style). Instead, this
section should recount the experiment as it was performed, using the past tense. Be sure to quantify
everything you can – time elapsed, temperature, volume, mass, etc. – and to explain the rationale behind your
actions.
This handout is adapted from resources originally created by Frederick Coye Heard of the University Writing Center at the
University of Texas at Austin ([Link]), M. C. Nagan and J. M. McCormick at Truman State University
([Link]), and The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill ([Link]).
UMC Writing Center Handouts

Results: The results section presents (but does not interpret!) the data that you gathered during your
experiment. Depending on the amount and type of data you gathered, this section might include tables and
figures. As in the materials and methods section, you should refer to your results in the past tense.
Discussion: in the discussion section, you interpret your results in relation to your hypothesis. The
discussion is typically the longest section of a lab report. In a college lab report, it is also (often) the most
important; it is here that you demonstrate your understanding of the connections between the lab and the
course material.
All the conclusions you present in your discussion section should be clearly supported by the data available in
your lab. You will need to lay out your logic clearly and carefully for your reader. Remember that a single
experiment is rarely enough to “prove” or “disprove” anything, so choose your words accordingly;
“suggests,” “indicates,” or “implies” are all more reasonable options. The discussion section is also your
opportunity to place your results in the context of other research in your field and to explain any part of your
methods that you feel might invalidate your results.
Conclusion: the conclusion is a one-paragraph summary of your report. You should indicate whether or not
you achieved the goals outlined in your introduction and briefly describe the implications of your results.
(Not all scientific disciplines require a conclusion).
References: the reference page should contain the full bibliographic citations for any sources referenced in
your report (most likely these would be in your introduction and discussion sections). Be sure to check with
your instructor on what citations style to use (APA, CSE, ASC, etc.).

LAB REPORT DOS AND DON’TS


DON’T start by writing your abstract or introduction. Even though the sections of your final lab report will
be arranged in a specific order, you will likely run into trouble if you try to write them in that order. The
abstract and introduction address the report as a whole and therefore should be written near the end. Most
guides recommend beginning by writing the “Methods and Materials” and “Results” sections, as these are
made up of information that is readily available in your lab notes.
DO take detailed and specific notes in the lab. Another reason for starting with the “Methods and Materials”
section is that the information from your experiment will be fresh in your mind. However, memory is no
substitute for careful note-taking, especially when quantifying things like time, mass, volume, etc. Remember:
nothing you do afterwards can make up for faulty lab notes.
DON’T procrastinate. Writing a lab report (like any type of writing) takes time and revision. Even though
the experiment and its results may seem very obvious to you, it will likely take multiple drafts for you to figure
out how to best communicate this information to your reader.
DO include headings and labels for the sections of your report. Lab reports follow a strict format for a
reason; headings make the purpose of each section clear to your reader.
DON’T abandon good paragraph structure. Section headings are no substitute for strong topic sentences
and good paragraph organization, particularly in longer sections like your discussion.
DO follow the principles and guidelines outlined on the “Science Writing” handout. All of these general
rules apply to lab reports. The handout also contains further details on the use of tense and passive voice in
science writing.
DO spell out abbreviations (apart from common measurements) the first time you use them.
DON’T (ha) use contractions.
DO place a space between a number and a unit (5 cm).

This handout is adapted from resources originally created by Frederick Coye Heard of the University Writing Center at the
University of Texas at Austin ([Link]), M. C. Nagan and J. M. McCormick at Truman State University
([Link]), and The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill ([Link]).

Common questions

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Correct tense usage enhances clarity and accuracy: use present tense in the abstract and broader implications sections, past tense in methods and results, and often present tense in the introduction when discussing current knowledge. Misuse can obscure meaning, confuse timelines or data interpretations, and reduce the report's credibility by mixing established facts with findings .

The discussion section is where the writer interprets their results concerning the initial hypothesis and contextualizes these findings within the broader field of study. By clearly laying out the logic behind interpretations and comparing results with existing research, the writer demonstrates an understanding of how the experiment connects to theoretical underpinnings in the course. This section often assesses methodologies and suggests improvements or future research directions, further showcasing the writer's depth of understanding .

References provide the foundation for the scientific dialogue within a report, allowing readers to verify sources of theoretical and experimental comparisons. They contribute credibility by showing the writer has engaged with relevant scientific literature, grounding their work in the existing body of knowledge and supporting the analysis and conclusions made within the report .

Starting with the abstract or introduction is discouraged because these sections synthesize the entire research project, best written when all results and interpretations are clear. A recommended sequence begins with 'Methods and Materials' and 'Results,' sections based on concrete data from lab notes, allowing for enhanced accuracy and clarity when later composing the synthetic sections like the abstract and introduction .

Assessment involves reviewing if the results, as interpreted in the discussion section, align with the hypotheses and objectives stated in the introduction. Conclusions should summarize how findings support or contradict initial hypotheses. A thorough examination checks for logical consistency, supported assertions, and if the same vocabulary and concepts transition seamlessly from introduction to conclusion, indicating coherence and goal alignment .

The 'Methods and Materials' section should provide enough detail for another researcher to replicate the experiment, avoiding a simple recipe-style format. It should recount the experiment in the past tense, quantifying variables like time, temperature, and volume. Explaining the rationale behind each step ensures clarity, and precise measurement documentation helps eliminate ambiguity. Detailed notes during experimentation aid accuracy and completeness in this section .

Addressing a lab report to peers rather than the instructor encourages the writer to assume a certain level of scientific competence from the reader, ensuring that explanations are clear and detailed without being overly simplistic. This approach demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject matter and helps peers understand the methods and findings to replicate the experiment successfully. It influences the report's content by requiring appropriate explanations of technical terms and enough detail so that a peer can repeat the experiment .

The abstract should include the purpose, scope, methods, results, and conclusions of the report. It is written in the present tense and is crucial because it gives readers the essential information to decide the relevance of the experiment to their interests or research. A well-crafted abstract provides a clear, concise summary that encapsulates the core elements of the research, allowing readers to quickly understand the experiment's significance .

The results section presents the data gathered during the experiment without interpretation, maintaining objectivity by using tables and figures as necessary to support the presentation. The section should be written in the past tense, providing a straightforward account of findings that allows readers to draw conclusions independently, based solely on empirical evidence presented .

Weak paragraph structure, particularly in the discussion section, can disrupt logical flow and hinder readers' understanding of connections between lab results and broader implications. This section often contains complex arguments requiring coherence and clear logic, which can become muddled without structured paragraphs, leading to a poorly articulated analysis and weak conclusions .

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