Tips on Writing a Lab Report

Please refer to the “Lab Report Reference Sheet” to help you as well.

Title

• Highlights the main purpose of the investigation.

• All main words are Capitalized

• Is at the top of the page

Research Question

• The purpose of the investigation

• Written in the form of a question

• Question should be answered by performing the lab

Background Information

• Information that may be helpful to the investigation

• Formulas to be used later in the experiment may be written and explained here.

• Data from previous studies/experiments may be highlighted here

Hypothesis

• Written in “If, Then, Because” format.

• Is an educated guess as to what the outcome might be.

• It is okay if your guess is incorrect.

Materials

• Write all items used in the experiment in this section

• List items in columns

Procedure

• Format in numbered bullets

• No pronouns allowed

• Directions are precise and concise

• Directions are in order

• Includes set up and clean up

Data / Observations

• Data is organized in labeled charts

• Captions are used to help identify the type of data collected

• Observations are written clearly

• Observations use the appropriate senses

Data Analysis

• Explains the data in words

• Displays the data in graphic form

• Highlights the patterns and trends in the data

• Tell what the data may suggest

Conclusion

• Uses evidence to explain the final outcomes

• Answers the research question

• Validates or refutes the hypothesis

• Addresses the errors

• Summarizes the findings