How To Write A Lab Reportefdsefdsefdsefdsef
How To Write A Lab Reportefdsefdsefdsefdsef
Title: Date:
Part 1 : Introduction
Aim: you should give the aim of the investigation
Hypothesis: you need to write the hypothesis and prediction of the investigation. The hypothesis needs to be
very clear, giving an exact and complete description of what might happen (and why). The prediction is written
like: If …then…
Theoretical Background:
Give a general background to the study, you may take it from the Instruction sheet.
Give any formula related to the investigation
Independent Variableis the one that you alter (change) throughout your experiment. For an example, if you
investigate the effect of force on the acceleration of an object, then the different forces that you use are the
independent variable
Dependent Variable is the variable that you measure. Using the previous example, the dependent variable
would be the acceleration of the object.
Controlled variables are the ones that you try to keep constant throughout your experiment so that they don’t
affect your experiment. If investigating the effect of force on the acceleration of an object, the controlled
variables would be the mass of the object, the frictional force (by using the same surface), etc.
Equipment: give a list of all the equipment used in the experiment. Give the size of beakers/measuring
cylinders, etc, used, give the names of any chemicals that are used in the experiment.
You can use a diagram (picture) to show the experimental set up if you find it necessary.
Procedure:
- Now you should describe the method. It should be written in past tense (i.e. not written as a guide on how to
carry out the experiment again, but rather, how you did it). The steps in the experiment are either self-evident or
explained
- In this part you should explain the different variables. Write how the independent variable was varied, using
the previous example, you should write how can you change the used force (by adding different masses for
example)
- Write how changes of the dependent variable were monitored. You should write how you got your results.
- Write how the controlled variables were controlled. Using the previous example, you write that you made
sure that the same object (trolley) was used and that you carried the experiment on the same plane.
- Write how you made sure that the sufficient relevant data was recorded. Describe the method for data
collection, i.e. if you had several trials, if you used controls, methods of measurements, if your calculations are
correct, etc.
Data Processing:
The data should be processed (calculated) correctly and presented in tables (as above) and graphs. If
you use graphs, they should have a caption in which you describe the contents of the graph. The axes of
the graphs have to be labelled with units and the points have to be plotted correctly. Make sure that you
use the correct type of graphs. If both variables are continuous, use a point graph.
Evaluation
In the evaluation you should evaluate the method used. Write about the main weakness of the
method used and the weakness in the method of manipulation of data.
Write about the source of error, but don’t include personal mistakes.
Suggest real improvements (that can be carried out in the school lab) to the investigation.
Resource: http://goto.glocalnet.net/ibweb/homepagelink.htm