Lab Report Format

title

precise statement (NOT A QUESTION) of what you are testing; includes IV and DV

abstract

this section is first

abstract

brief summary of the lab

abstract

written after all data is collected & analyzed

abstract

summarizes the lab in a concise paragraph; purpose of the report, testing methods used, provides lab results and major conclusions

purpose

one sentence or question explaining why the experiment was performed

background

information to help the reader understand the experiment

background

defines terms, vocab or equations specific to your research that are not common knowledge but used in your investigation

hypothesis

"If...Then..." statement that includes a tentative relationship and prediction

hypothesis

establishes the IV and DV for the investigation

materials

all equipment needed to perform the experiment; can be column format or in a line with commas; or a paragraph

procedure

detailed step by step thing you follow to perform the experiment; can be written in step-format or as a paragraph

observations

descriptions of what was observed

observations

qualitative data

observations

be careful to include these and not inferences

data

measurable observations recorded in a data table with a title, labels, and units

data

quantitative data

analysis of data

graphs of data with proper title, labels, and units; could be an attachment or included in report

calculations

shows how calculations were performed

discussion

states whether the hypothesis was supported or not supported by the data (restate IV and DV)

discussion

explains why the results occurred (inference)

discussion

experimental errors are indicated and effects are discussed

discussion

tells how to improve the investigation

discussion

describes future experiments that might help to deepen the understanding of this investigation

literature cited

identify all sources of info

literature cited

APA Bibliography format (date is to the front and in your citations) (could also be Advanced)