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The lab report should be written using the templates or
blank paper that your lab instructor will provide. The report will
contain, in the following order:
1. COVER SHEET:
This standard sheet includes the names of all partners, the date, the
title and number of the experiment, and the course and section number.
2. ABSTRACT:
The abstract will state concisely the main point of the
experiment. Do not copy this out of the lab manual. The
abstract should demonstrate your understanding of the purpose for doing
the experiment.
3. DATA SHEET
This is to include any and all original data, and also may include
calculation summaries. However, calculations themselves are not to
be performed on the data sheet! The data sheet will also include a
space for and apparatus list and a sketch or the arrangement of the
apparatus. Data is to be presented neatly and thoughtfully,
including appropriate headings and units for all rows and columns.
Do not use white-out or in any other way obliterate your original
data!
4. CALCULATIONS:
All calculations, including those for percent error and difference, go
in this section. If you are performing repetitive calculations,
use this section to perform an example calculation then refer to the
data sheet for a calculation summary (results only). Clearly label
each section and calculation, and show all units!
5. GRAPHS: Graphs
should be full page and in landscape format, with the staple in the
upper right-hand corner. Graphs should include a title, axis
labels that show the appropriate units, and a scaling factor if
needed. If drawing the graph by hand, use a straight edge or
french curve for all lines! Click here
for instructions on how to use Graphical Analysis; a computer based
graphing program.
6. ERROR ANALYSIS:
All labs, even those without percent error or difference calculations,
will include an error analysis. The error analysis is a
paragraph which outlines and discusses all sources of experimental
error. This section will often require a great deal of
thought. The most common sources of error arise from the
construction of the apparatus, the current environmental conditions, and
your measuring techniques. Be specific!
7. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Were the results what you expected? Why? Why not? This
section will demonstrate how much you have learned about the specific
experiment. Discuss your results, and draw conclusions from them!
8. QUESTIONS: Answer
any questions included in the lab manual. |