How to Write a Formal Lab Report

The beakers have been washed, the hood has been cleared and the data has been recorded. Now you must write a formal lab report to document your experiment. A formal lab report is highly organized and must be completed in ink. There are 10 sections, which can be divided evenly into pre- and post-laboratory assignments. The pre-laboratory sections identify the purpose of the experiment and provide instruction. The post-laboratory sections summarize and analyze the findings. The best formal lab reports are concise and understandable.

Things You'll Need

  • Pen
  • Laboratory notebook
  • Laboratory manual
  • Data
  • Computer
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Instructions

  1. Pre-Laboratory Assignment

    • 1

      Write the subheading “Title.” Assign a title to the experiment. If the experiment is published in a laboratory manual, use the title provided.

    • 2

      Write the subheading “Purpose.” State the objective of the laboratory exercise in one sentence.

    • 3

      Write the subheading "Introduction/Hypothesis." Provide the basic theoretical framework underlying the experiment. Predict the outcome of the experiment in the last sentence of this section.

    • 4

      Write the subheading "Materials." List all the materials that will be used in the lab. Identify the amounts of each substance and specify the brand or type of each apparatus. A diagram may be drawn to illustrate how to set up the equipment.

    • 5

      Write the subheading "Procedure." Describe the methods clearly so the experiment can be duplicated. Number each step of the process chronologically. The procedure should be written in the third person.

    Post-Laboratory Assignment

    • 6

      Write the subheading "Data." Report observations and data as the experiment progresses. Label all findings and use a table when necessary.

    • 7

      Write the subheading "Results." Present all calculations used to determine the outcome. Identify each formula and balance all equations. Communicate the results using computer-generated graphs and text.

    • 8

      Write the subheading "Discussion." Interpret the results as they relate to your hypothesis. Explain why the results are either consistent or inconsistent with previous research. Analyze the experimental design and all errors that may have influenced the outcome.

    • 9

      Write the subheading "Conclusion." Restate the results. Determine if the results support the purpose of the experiment. Offer any ideas that would improve the experimental design.

    • 10

      Write the subheading "Works Cited." Provide references for all literature or lectures cited.

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