How to Write A Lab Report

Format Title 1 point

Student Name 1 point

Date 1 point

Purpose: A sentence that explains why you are doing the lab. 1 point

Hypothesis: A statement of the results you expect from the lab based on your

understanding of the concept and your reading of background information. 6 points

Justification of Hypothesis: WHY you chose the hypothesis you wrote. 1 point

Materials: List of materials necessary for the performance of the lab. Be sure

to include all personal protective equipment required. 5 points

.

Format cont. Outline of the Procedure: In your own words, summarize the process to be followed

during the lab. A statement of safety concerns related to this lab is a requirement.

5 points

Data and Observations: This may be written observations or data tables

depending on the nature of the lab. This will be determined while writing the outline

of the lab procedure. 10 points

Sketch of lab set up and/or graph: If a graph is appropriate to the data, a line

graph should be done ON GRAPH PAPER. If a graph is not appropriate, then a sketch

of the lab set up is required. 5 points

Analysis Questions: Answer the questions that are provided with the lab

preparation sheet. ALWAYS restate the question. If you don’t, I won’t grade your

answer. 20 points

Format Cont.Conclusions: (This section should be the largest part of the lab report and should

not include personal opinions) 20 points

Restate the purpose

Restate the hypothesis and the justification for the hypothesis

Describe how the results were collected

Discuss the results

State why hypothesis was supported or rejected

Describe what you learned as a result of doing the lab. This must relate to the

purpose of the lab

Discuss the error involved in the lab as it was performed by your group

Title, Name, and DateThe title of the lab should be centered on the

top line of the lab report

Your name, class hour, and the date that you performed the lab should be written in the top, right hand corner of the lab report.

PurposeThe purpose is a sentence that explains why you

are doing the lab.

In order to write an accurate purpose statement, re-write the problem from the lab into a statement.

Example:

Problem: What is a single-displacement reaction that can be observed.

Purpose: The purpose is to observe a single-displacement reaction.

HypothesisA hypothesis is a statement of the results you

EXPECT from the lab based on your understanding of the concept and your reading of background information.

You will use the If, then, because format.

If ________________, then _________________, because blank.

If (I do this: independent variable), then (this will happen: dependent variable) because (why you think it will happen: background knowledge)

Justification of Hypothesis (JOH)

The JOH is a statement explaining why chose your hypothesis.

MaterialsA bulleted list of all of the materials needed to

complete the lab.

Outline of ProceduresThis is a summary (in your own words) of the

procedures from the lab.

Data and ObservationsWrite down EVERYTHING from the lab. Record all

quantitative and qualitative data.

Organize data and observations into a data chart.

Sketch of lab set up and/or graph:

Create a graph if you obtained quantitative data. If your data does not need a graph draw a sketch of your lab set up.

For example: If burning chemicals in a Bunsen burner and collecting qualitative data, you will not need a graph. Instead, you will draw a set up of your Bunsen burner.

Analysis Questions:Answer the questions that are provided with the

lab preparation sheet. A:WAUS restate the question. If you don’t I won’t grade your answer.

Conclusions: This is the largest part of your lab report

Do NOT include personal opinions (I think)

Restate purpose

Restate hypothesis and JOH

Describe how you collected your results

Discuss the results (include control, independent variable, and dependent variable)

State if (why) your hypothesis was supported or rejected

Discuss the error involved in the lab as it was performed

Science JournalAll of your data from the lab should be copied

into your science journal. Do NOT rely on your partner to keep the lab data. EVERYONE needs to have all data and observations. 5 points

Lab report total: 100 points