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How to Write a Lab Report

Lab Report Directions - Sample Lab Report - Draft Lab Report Rubric (self and peer)- Final Lab Report Rubric (self and teacher) - Other Samples

If you get stuck, please ask someone else for help!  You should print a copy of your lab report before the end of the period on Thursday!

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A lab report is your record of your entire investigation.  It includes:

1. Title:  Should be your investigative question in the form:  "How does __________________ affect _______________?" (the blanks should be filled in with your manipulated and responding variables). (example)

2.  Introductory paragraph:  Should answer two questions:  Why was this investigation done?  (example) What do you already know about the topic? (example)

3. Hypothesis:  Should be in an "If....then...because" format.  (example)

4.  Materials List:  Double check this list for completeness and detail.  (example)

5.  Procedure:  Needs to have several parts:

• 3 conditions of your manipulated variable (example)
• identification of what you're measuring: responding variable (example)
• that you are recording the responding variable (example)
• 2 controlled variables (can be found in materials list also) (example)
• 3 multiple trials (example)
• extra validity measure (either a 4th condition of the manipulated variable, a 4th trial, or an extra controlled variable)
• an experimental control (not in every experiment) (example)
• logical steps (example)

6. Data:  Should be in 2 forms:

• Data Table (shows multiple trials, all tests, and average data) (example)
• Graph (shows only your average data) (example) You can make your graph one of 3 ways:
  • By hand on graph paper
  • On the Create a Graph Website
  • On Microsoft Excel
  • On Microsoft Graph (part of Microsoft Word)

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7. Conclusion:  These are like what we do in class with one extra paragraph:

• 1st paragraph: 

  • Conclusive Statement (example)
  • Low average data (example)
  • High average data (example)
  • Explanatory language (example)explanatory
  • Identification of Outliers (if there are any) (example)

• 2nd paragraph:

  • Limitations of your equipment (how did your equipment limit your ability to get good, accurate data?) (example)
  • Flaws in technique (what did you do poorly or what could you improve upon for next time?) (example)
  • Next logical experiment (what would be the next experiment you'd do to get more information about your question or a new question?) (example)
  • Research (find something on the Internet related to your topic or investigation) (example)