LABORATORY REPORT GUIDELINES FOR
STUDENTS
This information should be printed and given to students to guide them in completion of Laboratory Reports.
Format: the lab report should be written up using word processing software e.g. Microsoft Word
Number of Words: 800-1000 (plus calculations, diagrams, references etc.)
Presentation: your report should be professionally laid out, with all diagrams and tables clearly
labelled. You should structure it appropriately with subheadings. A good academic style of writing
should be used and the report should not contain grammar or spelling errors.
The report should focus on the presentation, interpretation and analysis of the experimental results
achieved in the laboratory practical. The report should include the following sections:
1. Theory & Aim
The title and aim of the experiment should be clearly described
Theory should be introduced and references cited correctly
2. Materials, Methods and Safety
The equipment should be correctly assembled and tested
The equipment should be operated effectively
Diagrams should be labelled and clear
The procedure should be clearly explained in your own words in continuous prose (rather than as
bullet or numbered points), in the past/passive tense and in the third person
Any specific health and safety precautions undertaken in the experiment should be included
3. Results
Observations, including repeat observations where appropriate, should be recorded accurately
along with realistic uncertainty values
Correct units should be given for all physical quantities
Measurements should be taken over an appropriate range
4. Discussion, Interpretation & Conclusions
Data should be processed to obtain a straight line graph, where appropriate
Graphs should be correctly titled with sensible scales and axes
Points should be plotted accurately
A best fit line should be drawn
The gradient should be determined correctly using a large triangle, or a least squares fit
The gradient and intercept should be used appropriately
Data should be processed and displayed appropriately
Relevant physics principles should be discussed
Calculations should be carried out correctly and checked for accuracy
Uncertainties in calculated values should be determined correctly
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Valid conclusions should be clearly stated
Realistic modifications should be suggested to improve the experiment
5. References
References should be cited and a reference list in Harvard style should be provided
Additional Notes on Experimental Errors and Uncertainties
In experimental work, errors are always likely to be present. Errors could be either systematic or random.
It is the experimenter's duty to try and eliminate or allow for systematic error before the experiment and
to assess the effect of random errors after the experiment.
You may find it useful to refer to Section 5, pp 242- 251 of the core textbook for IFY Physics (Breithaupt,
2015) which provides a useful discussion on the treatment of both random and systematic errors, along
with analysis and evaluation of results. (Breithaupt, J. (2015), AQA Physics, 2 nd Ed. Oxford University Press).
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