Writing Lab Reports
What does a lab report do?
A lab report serves several important purposes and is considered a crucial aspect of scientific research and education. It primarily functions as a means of communicating the details and results of a scientific experiment or study in a structured and organized manner. Additionally, lab reports are a permanent record of the experiment, documenting the methods, procedures, and collected data for future reference or replication.
Lab reports contribute to scientific progress by sharing findings and insights, facilitating accountability and reproducibility, and serving legal or ethical purposes when necessary. Furthermore, they foster problem-solving and critical thinking skills as researchers analyze data, draw conclusions, and interpret results.
In the grand scheme of things, lab reports play a vital role in the scientific process, enabling communication, documentation, assessment, and knowledge advancement.
A lab report serves several important purposes:
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Communication: Lab reports allow you to convey your experimental methods, results, and conclusions to others in a structured and systematic manner.
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Documentation: They serve as a record of your work, making it possible to reproduce your experiments in the future.
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Evaluation: Lab reports are often graded in academic settings and evaluated by peers or supervisors in research environments.
We know that this kind of writing can be stressful, particularly if you're new to it, but you should know that there is a reason that your instructors are requiring you to write lab reports.
General Structure of a Lab Report
Lab reports generally follow a specific structure, varying slightly depending on your institution or field of study.
The typical components of a lab report include:
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Title Page: This page includes the report's title, your name, the names of any collaborators, the date, and possibly the name of your instructor or supervisor.
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Abstract: A brief summary of the experiment, including the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. It should be concise and provide a quick overview of the report's key points.
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Introduction: Describe the background information, the purpose of the experiment, and any relevant theories or concepts. Clearly state your hypothesis or research question.
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Methods & Materials: Detail the procedures and materials used in the experiment. Be specific and thorough so that others can replicate your work. Sometimes, these will be separate sections.
- You should detail the equipment, apparatuses, and materials used and the steps of the experiment.
- Typically, you can rely on your lab manual to help with this section.
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Results: Present the data you collected during the experiment. Use tables, graphs, and figures to organize and illustrate your findings. Be objective and avoid interpretation in this section.
- Tables and graphs should be labeled numerically. "Table 1, Table 2, Table 3..." and "Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3..." following the conventions of the style guide (APA, MLA, IEEE, CSE...).
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Discussion: Interpret the results and explain their significance. Address whether your findings support or refute your hypothesis. Discuss any sources of error or limitations in your experiment.
- What do the results imply?
- What is the significance of the results?
- Are there any new questions?
- Are there any gaps in the study?
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Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and their implications. Restate your hypothesis and briefly discuss the broader implications of your work.
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References: Cite any sources, including textbooks, articles, or lab manuals, that you consulted or referenced in your report.
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Appendices: Include any supplementary information, such as raw data, calculations, or detailed descriptions of equipment, that is not suitable for the main body of the report.
These sections can vary depending on your instructor's expectations. Always defer to the instructor's guidance when organizing your lab report.
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Variation Between Labs
The structure of lab reports can vary from lab to lab depending on several factors, including the specific requirements of the institution, the nature of the experiment, and the preferences of the instructor or researcher.
In some labs, particularly in academic settings, there may be standardized templates or guidelines that students are expected to follow. These templates often include sections such as an abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. However, even within this general framework, variations can occur in terms of the level of detail required and the specific formatting style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
In contrast, research labs, especially in diverse scientific fields, may have more flexibility in report structure. Some labs may prioritize concise, bulleted summaries, while others may prefer extensive narratives. Additionally, the inclusion of sections like literature reviews, supplementary data, or appendices can vary. The emphasis on certain sections, such as the methods or results, may also differ depending on the lab's focus. Moreover, interdisciplinary research may lead to unique report structures incorporating elements from multiple fields.
The key to creating an effective lab report is to closely follow the guidelines and expectations set by the specific lab, instructor, or publication requirements. Whether a lab report adheres to a rigid template or allows for flexibility, clarity, organization, and adherence to scientific conventions should always be maintained to ensure that the report effectively communicates the research findings and meets the intended goals of the lab or study.
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Passive Voice
Passive voice is occasionally used in lab reports, particularly in scientific writing, to emphasize objectivity, focus on the experiment rather than the researcher, or meet specific writing conventions. Here are some instances where passive voice might be used in lab reports:
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Objective Tone: Passive voice can help maintain an objective tone in scientific writing. For example, instead of saying "I added the solution to the beaker," you might write, "The solution was added to the beaker." This shifts the focus away from the researcher and onto the experiment itself.
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Emphasizing the Process or Results: In some cases, using passive voice can place more emphasis on the process or results of the experiment rather than the person performing the action. For instance, "The data were collected every hour" emphasizes the data collection process rather than the individual collecting the data.
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Generalizing Procedures: Passive voice can be useful when describing general laboratory procedures that are not specific to a particular researcher. For example, "Samples were prepared following standard protocols" is a more generalized statement.
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Avoiding Personal Pronouns: In formal scientific writing, it's often preferred to avoid personal pronouns like "I" or "we." Passive voice allows you to write without using these pronouns, maintaining a more detached and objective style.
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Hypotheses and Theoretical Statements: Passive voice can be employed when discussing hypotheses or theoretical concepts. For example, "It is hypothesized that..." or "Previous studies have suggested that..."
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Avoiding Responsibility for Errors: While not encouraged, passive voice can sometimes be used to avoid directly attributing errors or mistakes. For instance, "An error was made during the calibration process" does not specify who made the error.
Be careful when using passive voice. Overuse of passive voice can make writing sound convoluted and less engaging. Active voice, where the subject performs the action, is generally more direct and easier to understand. Striking the right balance between passive and active voice is crucial for effective scientific communication in lab reports.
Always consider the context, the purpose of your writing, and the specific guidelines or conventions of your institution or field of study when deciding whether to use passive or active voice in your lab report.
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Common Mistakes
Writing a lab report can be challenging, and even experienced researchers sometimes make common mistakes that can affect the quality and clarity of their reports. Here are some of the most frequent errors to watch out for when preparing your lab report:
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Lack of Clarity and Conciseness: Failing to communicate clearly is a significant error. Avoid overly complex language or jargon. Instead, aim for clarity and conciseness. Your report should be accessible to readers with a basic understanding of the subject.
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Omission of Key Information: One of the most critical mistakes is leaving out essential details. Ensure that your report includes all relevant information about the experiment, materials, methods, and results. Don't assume that the reader knows what you did or why.
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Poor Organization: Disorganized lab reports can be confusing. Make sure your report follows a logical structure with clear section headings. Your introduction should introduce the experiment, the methods section should describe the procedures, and so on.
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Inadequate Data Presentation: Data should be presented clearly and effectively. Avoid overcrowded tables or poorly labeled graphs. Make sure all figures and tables are appropriately referenced within the text.
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Lack of Objectivity: In the results section, avoid interpreting the data or drawing conclusions. Stick to presenting the facts and save interpretation for the discussion section.
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Failure to Address Errors and Uncertainties: Every experiment has limitations and sources of error. Ignoring or failing to acknowledge these in your discussion can weaken your report. Address potential sources of error and discuss their impact on the results.
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Plagiarism and Improper Citation: Using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution is a serious academic offense. Always cite your sources and credit the original authors when referencing prior research or theories.
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Overgeneralization: Be cautious about drawing broad conclusions from limited data. Make sure your conclusions are based on the evidence you've collected and analyzed.
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Ignoring Formatting Guidelines: If your institution or lab has specific formatting requirements (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago style), failing to adhere to them can cost you valuable points. Pay attention to formatting details like font size, spacing, and citation style.
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Rushing the Proofreading and Editing Process: Grammatical errors, typos, and formatting issues can detract from the professionalism of your report. Always take the time to proofread and edit your work carefully before submission.
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Wordiness: Avoid unnecessary repetition or verbosity. Aim for clarity and precision in your writing.
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Inadequate Conclusion: Your conclusion should provide a concise summary of your findings and their implications. It's not the place to introduce new information or concepts.
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Ignoring Feedback: If you receive feedback from peers, instructors, or reviewers, don't ignore it. Constructive criticism can help you improve the quality of your lab reports.
To avoid these common mistakes, it's essential to plan your lab report carefully, allocate enough time for writing and editing, and seek feedback from others when possible. Remember that writing lab reports is a skill that can be developed and improved with practice. When in doubt, use your resources: talk to the Writing Lab or go to the teaching assistant.
Incorporating Sources
Incorporating sources into a lab report is essential when you need to reference prior research, theories, or established scientific principles to support your experiment, background information, or discussions. Here's how to properly incorporate sources into your lab report:
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Cite Your Sources: The first step is to properly cite the sources you use. Follow the citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) specified by your instructor or institution. Ensure that you include all the necessary information, such as the author's name, publication date, title, and page numbers if applicable.
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Use In-Text Citations: Whenever you reference a source within your lab report, include an in-text citation. This typically consists of the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2020). If you're directly quoting, use quotation marks and provide the page number: (Smith, 2020, p. 45).
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Provide Context: When introducing information from a source, provide context to explain why it's relevant to your lab report. Briefly explain how the source supports or relates to your experiment, research question, or discussion.
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Avoid Over-Reliance on Sources: While sources are valuable for supporting your points, avoid over-reliance on them. Your lab report should primarily showcase your own work, analysis, and understanding of the experiment. Use sources as supplementary evidence or background information.
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Balance Sources and Original Content: Strive for a balance between the information you present from sources and your original content. The lab report should reflect your comprehension and synthesis of the material.
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Use Signal Phrases: Incorporate source material using signal phrases that indicate you are referencing someone else's work. For example, "According to Smith (2020),..." or "In a study by Johnson and Brown (2019),..."
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Include a References Section: At the end of your lab report, include a references section that lists all the sources you cited within the text. Format this section according to the prescribed citation style.
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Be Ethical: Always credit the original authors when using their ideas, data, or findings. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense.
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Check for Accuracy: Double-check that your citations and references are accurate. Incorrect citations can lead to confusion and undermine the credibility of your report.
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Use Reputable Sources: Ensure that the sources you incorporate into your lab report are credible and reliable. Peer-reviewed journal articles, textbooks, and reputable websites from academic institutions are generally good sources to reference.
Incorporating sources effectively in a lab report demonstrates your ability to connect your work to the broader scientific literature and strengthen your arguments. It also adds credibility to your findings and conclusions by showing that they are based on established knowledge and research.
A Note on Verb Tense
Use the past tense when talking about the experiment. You've already completed it, so it would be written in past tense.
“The objective of the experiment was…”
Use present tense when writing about the theory, equipment, and equations. These things still exist, even if the experiment is completed.
"The purpose of this report is…”
“Bragg’s Law for diffraction is …”
“The scanning electron microscope produces micrographs …”
This can vary per section.
| Abstract | Tenses can vary. |
| Introduction |
Present tense when referring to the current experiment. Past tense when referring to previous experiments. |
| Method & Materials |
Past tense when referring to experimental procedures. Present tense to describe a figure, equation, or permanent qualities of the experiment. |
| Results |
Present tense to engage tables and figures. Past tense to describe the findings of the concluded experiment. |
| Discussion | Tenses can vary. |
| Conclusion | Tenses can vary. |
Personal Pronouns
In scientific writing, particularly in lab reports, the use of personal pronouns is generally discouraged. The emphasis in these reports is on presenting objective, unbiased information rather than personal experiences or opinions. By avoiding personal pronouns such as "I," "we," or "you," the writer maintains a sense of impartiality and professionalism, contributing to the overall credibility of the scientific discourse.
Using personal pronouns can introduce subjectivity and detract from the objectivity required in scientific reporting. Instead, passive voice and third-person constructions are often preferred to convey information without attributing actions directly to the researcher. Adhering to this writing style promotes a standard of clarity and precision essential for effective scientific communication.
When in doubt, check your lab guide or manual, ask a teaching assistant or instructor, and visit the Writing Lab to get feedback.
Subject Librarians
Resources for Source Incorporation
The subject librarians can help you to find and incorporate sources into your lab reports, as well as any other writing requiring secondary sources.
Click here to find your subject librarian.