Scientific Laboratory Report

The purpose for a laboratory report is to inform and provide information so that another
person can repeat the experiment or design new experiments that build on the information in
the report. A laboratory report is shared with large numbers of people. The report is a formal,
written summary of the experiments completed by the researcher to test a particular
hypothesis.

Specifics
Make sure to use the following details when writing the laboratory report.

- 12 Point Font
- Times New Roman
- 1 Inch Margins

Lab reports are to be written in the 3rd person. Do not use the terms I, we, us, etc.
For example, “A ball was thrown in the air and the time of flight was measured” is a better
statement than, “I threw a ball in the air and measured the time of flight.” Remember, lab
reports are designed to report and analyze results not report on the experience or feelings.

The Scientific Laboratory Report

Title Page
The title page should quickly tell the reader who wrote the report, what the report was about,
and when it was written.
1. List the names of the researcher(s) who did the work and wrote the report.
2. Pick a title that clearly expresses the specific topic of the lab report.
3. Include the date the report was written.
Abstract
The abstract should be a one paragraph, brief summary of the entire report and include
information on the purpose, procedure, results, and conclusions.
1. Include one sentence on the purpose for the lab report.
2. Include at least one sentence describing what was done or indicating the
procedure used to complete the report.
3. Include at least one sentence summarizing the results.
4. Include one sentence stating the conclusion of the experiment.
Background
The background section provides a well-defined purpose for doing the experiment. It should
examine any previous activities that form the knowledge base which led to the work being
reported.
1. Write two or three paragraphs describing the work done by you in class
and available information you found from Internet and/or other sources
that led to the development of the described experiment.
2. State the goal or purpose for the described experiment.

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Hypothesis and Variables
The hypothesis is a testable prediction of the expected results.
1. Write a single sentence that states the expected results for the experiment.
2. List the Independent and Dependent Variables in the experiment.
3. Think of a hypothesis like this: "If _[I do this] _, then _[this]_ will
happen." (Fill in the blanks with the appropriate information from your
own experiment.) Always be thinking “can this statement be tested?”
 Example of a hypothesis: Exposing plants to low temperatures will result in changes
in leaf color.
1. In the above example, the prediction of the results is clearly stated: if the
student exposes plants to low temperatures then changes in leaf color will
occur.
2. The variables are clear:
Independent Variable-Temperature
Dependent Variable-Leaf color
Materials and Methods
The materials and methods section lists all materials used and states the step-by-step process
used to complete the experiment(s). Remember to write this section in the third person so do
not use the terms I, we, the group, etc.
List all materials used to do the experiment(s).
1. Provide step-by-step instructions so someone reading the report knows
exactly what you did and could duplicate the experiment(s) exactly as you
did it.
Results
The results section states the observations, measurements, or other results to the experiments.
It should be written in paragraph form and have charts, diagrams, pictures, or other graphics
as necessary.
1. Write at least one paragraph describing the results.
2. Include the actual data and state the units of all measurements.
3. Use graphs, charts, pictures, or other graphics to support your description
of the results.
4. Do not make explanations or interpretations of the results in this section.
Discussion
The discussion section explains and interprets the results of the experiment(s). The analysis
should refer back to the background section of the report and examine how the results
reported in the previous section support, disprove, or add to the existing knowledge on the
topic. If the results were confusing or seem inaccurate, then an explanation of any possible
errors or problems with the procedure should be included, along with suggestions on how to
avoid those errors or problems in the future.
1. Write at least two paragraphs explaining and interpreting the results.
2. Report and explain how the results support, disprove, or add to
information presented as background.
3. Discuss and explain any possible errors in the results and avoid reporting
human errors. (If human errors were made, then the experiment should be
re-run.)
4. Suggest improvements to eliminate any errors that occurred.

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 5. Suggest additional experiments that may expand on the work.

Conclusion
The conclusion is a single sentence stating the final summary that is directly related to the
hypothesis.
1. Write a clear, single sentence that summarizes the report. This sentence
must be directly related to the hypothesis.
 Example of a conclusion statement: The leaves that were exposed to low
temperatures changed color as opposed to no color change in leaves that were not
exposed to low temperatures.

References / Citations
The citations section should list all print, Internet, or other resources used to gain information
for the report. Each citation should be complete and use the proper format.
1. Use proper documentation to state the sources of all information used in
the report.
2. Use the SCHS Style Guide found under Mr. Cordell’s teacher page on
schoolloop.com under “Write for Science”.

SCHS 2013