Essential Components of a Lab Report
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ScribdTranslationsEssential Components of a Lab Report
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ScribdTranslationsWHAT A LABORATORY REPORT SHOULD CONTAIN
1. COVER
It should contain: Title of the experiment, name and code of the group members, name of the
professor, subject and group, university.
2. SUMMARY
A synthesis in a single paragraph (maximum eight lines) of the objective of the practice and its ...
main conclusion.
3. OBJECTIVES
Expanded description of the purpose or objective of the work. The following must also be stated here.
hypotheses that are tested in the experiment.
4. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Brief theoretical background of the experiment based on the reference texts. It must contain
the theoretical deductions of the relationships that will be sought during the laboratory, in order to
to have comparison elements for the data and the equations that are extracted from the experiment.
5. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Description of the experimental techniques used, supported by drawings, graphs, or examples that
help visualize the experiment.
6. OBTAINED DATA
Where the data from the direct measurements made in the laboratory should be deposited. The
data tables, illustrations, and graphs are identified with series numbers and a legend
concise and clear that describes the measures presented. The column headers
They must contain the name of the variable, its symbol, and units of measurement. The graphs must
to have the coordinate axes properly identified with their units.
7. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
A rigorous analysis of the data must be carried out, extracting the consequences of the observations.
and the physical implications of the relationships between variables.
The agreement or disagreement between the proposed model and the behavior is discussed.
observed, as well as the validity of the hypotheses raised. Finally, steps are taken to carry out
interpretations or conjectures about the reasons for the discrepancies and to suggest refinements well
either from the model or the experimental procedure, that allow to elucidate the questions about the
that the experiment led to.
8. CONCLUSIONS
The justification for writing a laboratory report consists of the conclusions that are drawn.
obtained from the observations and measurements. They are the synthesis of what has been obtained from the
analysis. The conclusions are articulated with the objectives of the practice and must be specific.
9. APPENDICES
The appendices help in a better understanding of the work. They are optional and contain details.
from the experience that, if interspersed in the main body of the report, hinder reading and
the good follow-up of the experience.
Among the topics that may be included in the appendices are:
a) The explicit calculation of measurement errors and the justification of the methods
employees in the evaluation of those errors.
b) Deduction of formulas.
c) Suggestions for improving the practice.
10. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
If it is necessary to cite information used in the report, the references must be included.
where this information was obtained, for example, in the case of books, the title must be indicated,
authors, publisher and year of publication. Internet pages can also be included
consulted.
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is important to use good writing, just as it is important to have excellent spelling.
It should also be noted that it is written in an impersonal tense and in the past.
You should write, for example: 'Take three containers. Measure their diameter and fill them with'
water..." It is also incorrect to say: "We took three containers. We measured their diameter.
and we filled them with water...”. Another incorrect way is: “I took three containers. After
I measured their diameter and filled them with water..." and finally it is incorrect to write: "Take three
containers. Measure their diameter and fill them with water...". A correct way for this
Three containers were used. Each one was filled with water.
after measuring its diameter...
The overall presentation of the report must be impeccable, it can be written by hand or in
computer and can finally be printed on both sides of the sheet (for reasons
ecological).