How to Write a Lab Report
Title
- Clearly state the independent and dependent
variable
- Do not state the outcome of the investigation
- EX: Precipitate Lab
- Beneath the title, include:
- Names of ALL participants
- Date(s) of the lab
Introduction:
- Summarize the background of the problem
- Cite relevant scientific principles or literature
that relate to what you are investigating.
Question/Problem:
- Clearly state the question being investigated
or the problem you are seeking a solution for.
- “Which of the reactants used will form a
precipitate?”
Introduction Cont.:
Hypothesis:
- State, generally, what you believe the relationship
between the independent and dependent variable is.
- “I hypothesize that a precipitate will form.”
Prediction:
- State, in more detail, what specific results you expect to
observe.
- ‘I predict that the precipitate of copper hydroxide will form’
Materials:
- Option 1: List all materials and equipment
used in the lab
- Option 2: Refer to the page number in the
textbook where the lab is found, note any
additional materials used, deletions, or
substitutions made*
*This lab did not come from the textbook (sorry)
Procedure:
- Option 1: List procedure in precise, numbered
steps
- Option 2: Refer to textbook page that includes
the lab, note changes to the procedure, if any.*
- Include safety precautions!
*This lab did not come from the textbook (sorry again)
Results:
- Organize your data/observations into a table
- Include a title
- If appropriate, create a graph to display the
data in a different way.
- Label X and Y-axes
- Use correct units and scale
- Include a title
Data Analysis:
- Analyze your results and defend your analysis.
- “As shown in the following calculations…”
- “As seen in Table 1…”
- Show sample calculations for any
mathematical data analysis.
Conclusion:
- State a conclusion based on your data analysis.
- “Based on the results of the lab…”
- Relate your conclusion back to your hypothesis.
- Compare the results you got to the results you
expected/predicted, or results from other researchers.
- Examine and comment on experimental error.
- Assess the effectiveness of the experimental design.
- State how the data supports your conclusion.
- Provide areas of further study/research or how your
conclusion can be applied.
References:
- Cite your sources of information according to
requested reference style of the teacher.
- What needs to be cited?
- Background information in introduction
- Materials/procedure list from a textbook
- Specialized methods of data analysis
- Results of other studies used in data comparison of
own results
- Any other sources used that are not your own
Example…
Biology Lab Report Sample
