1. Adapted by Meryl Probst
Writing Lab Reports
Adapted by Meryl Probst
from
Dr. Tamara O’Connor

2. In this lesson we will
Review purpose and qualities of scientific writing
Look at the component parts of the lab report – structure and format
Explore the writing process
Consider the best approach to writing lab report

3. Students often Write “shorthand”
To sound scientific and objective
Focus on facts and details rather than analysis
Imply analysis and reasoning without making the argument explicit
Assume reader will read meaning into text
Ignore problems in usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation

4. Lab Report: Component Parts
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
This is the order in which you read lab report
Not the order in which you write it!

5. Typical Report Structure
Title page
Abstract/summary
Introduction
Methodology
Findings/results
Analysis and discussion
Summary and conclusions
Recommendations
References/bibliography
Appendices
From: Study Guide 7: Reports, Learning Development, University of Plymouth (2008)

6. Lab Report Component Parts
Introduction
Background & objectives; scope & limitations; previous work/research; hypothesis
Methods
Procedures & materials
Results
Data presented; tables, figures, calculations
Discussion
Link to introduction; interpretation; alternative explanations
Conclusion – summary main point
References – sources referred to in report

7. Order of Writing
1. Data – create tables and graphs & summarize most important points
2. Write the results section
3. Methods – materials and procedures
4. Introduction
5. Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. Reference

8. Writing Process Start with the data – not the introduction
Narrow them down to a few figures
Find the trends in the figures. Find the one thing that ties them together
Tell your readers how to read your figures and what the main point is

9. Writing Process Continue with Methods and Results sections
Connect results with how you got them
Then connect your interpretation of results (Discussion) to scientific assumptions or principles (Theory)
Connect what you set out to do (Introduction) to what you found (Conclusion)
From Mya Poe, MIT, Technical Writing

10. METHODS SECTION
Accurate and complete account of what you did in the lab and what materials you used
Usually a chronological structure
Past tense
Action verb first in the procedure
Point form

11. Writing prompts for methods
How was the experiment designed?
On what subjects or materials was the experiment performed?
How were the subjects/materials prepared?
What machinery/equipment was used?
What sequence of events did you follow as you handled the subjects/materials or as you recorded the data?

12. RESULTS SECTION Present data State in verbal form as well as visual
Use sentence to draw attention to key points in graphs, figures, etc.
Number and title tables and graphs
Use appendix for raw data or complex calculations

13. Writing prompts for Results
What are your results?
Is the data presented so results are clear, logical and self-explanatory?
What is the main point – what ties results together?

14. INTRODUCTION SECTION
“The introduction states the objective or purpose of the experiment and provides the reader with important background and/or theory to the experiment.”
See

15. Writing prompts for the introduction
What kind of problem did you work on?
Why did you work on this problem?
What should the reader know or understand when he/she is finished reading the report?

16. Student Sample
The purpose of this lab is to observe the conservation of momentum and energy in one dimension in a real life setting. We will study this concept through the motion of carts colliding on a track. The velocity for one or two carts will be determined before and after their collision.

17. Revised sample
The purpose of this lab was to observe the conservation of momentum and energy in one dimension in a real life setting. This concept was studied through the motion of carts colliding on a track. The velocity for one or two carts was determined before and after their collision.

18. Writing prompts for theory (part of introduction)
Which research question did you set out to answer?
What was your expected answer or assumptions about the outcome of this investigation?
Hypothesis?
Relate assumptions to findings

19. DISCUSSION SECTION
“You show that you understand the experiment beyond the simple level of completing it.”
From
Explain
Analyse
Interpret

20. Writing prompts for discussion section
Analysis
What do the results indicate clearly?
What are the sources of error?
How do the results compare to the theory/hypothesis?
Interpretation
What is the significance of the results?
How do you justify that interpretation?
Suggested improvements for future research?

21. Conclusion Usually short in student lab reports
State what you know as result of lab
No new information
Example:
“The experiment confirmed the hypothesis that adding salt to water will increase the density of water and cause the egg to float.”

22. Writing Process – stages
Planning
Purpose of section
Brainstorm, mindmap, outline
Writing
Revising
Submit!

23. Practice: Revision
Read the following “discussion” section from a student’s lab report.
Is it well written? Why? Why not?
With a partner correct the possible errors.

24. Exercise (from www.learnhigher.ac.uk website)
After adding the solution, the mixture in the test tube went a bright scarlet red, which we did not expect, as this was not the same as the washed out pink colour it was supposed to go according to the book. We shook the test tube up and left it for awhile in the test tube stand. When we came back, the mixture had settled to the bottom and dried out, which it was not supposed to have happened; this was a bit of a problem.