Lab Write up Procedures

Formal Lab Reports:

Except for showing work for mathematical calculations, a formal lab report must be typed, double-spaced, 12pt font (leave space to hand-write in your calculations, if necessary). You must attach your original data signed and dated at the back of the report. Formal lab reports must include each of the following sections (label headings): 1. General Information Title, name, date, and section number 2. Objective or purpose why are we doing this lab? What is it all about? A purpose statement guides the experiment by identifying what is being tested 3. Background Information Brief explanation (paragraph, 4-5 sentences) of what you already know about the process or concept for class notes or textbook reading. 4. Materials List what equipment and supplies did you use in this lab (number or bullet items, dont list in paragraph form) 5. Safety Precautions List any safety precautions necessary based on the experiment to be carried out. If chemicals are involved, MSDS sheets should be consulted for this section. 6. Procedure step by step, numbered list of what is done in the experiment. Occasionally a drawing of an apparatus is required in this section. Label all drawings! 7. Data this should be in the form of a table or graph if applicable. If a data table is not already provided, you are expected to create one that will accommodate the data collected. 8. Questions If your lab listed questions you must retype the question and then answer them 9. Conclusion must include: a. Introductory sentence b. Summary of procedures (do NOT list step-by-step here) c. Details of observations and results of the lab d. Discussion of error discuss sources of error (include something other than human error). Provide percent error here, if applicable. e. Suggestions for further experimentation to address purpose statement or investigate some other aspect of the experiment. f. Suggestions for improvement, if any. 10. Attach original (hand-written) data and observations from lab. You must sign and date page(s).

Informal Lab Reports:

Except for showing work for mathematical calculations, an informal lab report must be typed, double-spaced, 12pt font (leave space to hand-write in your calculations, if necessary). You must attach your original data signed and dated at the back of the report. Informal lab reports will include the following: 1. Safety Precautions List any safety precautions necessary based on the experiment to be carried out. If chemicals are involved, MSDS sheets should be consulted for this section. 2. Data this should be in the form of a table or graph if applicable. If a data table is not already provided, you are expected to create one that will accommodate the data collected. 3. Questions If your lab listed questions you must retype the question and then answer them 4. Conclusion must include: a. Introductory sentence b. Summary of procedures (do NOT list step-by-step here) c. Details of observations and results of the lab d. Discussion of error discuss sources of error (include something other than human error). Provide percent error here, if applicable. e. Suggestions for further experimentation to address purpose statement or investigate some other aspect of the experiment. f. Suggestions for improvement, if any. 5. Attach original (hand-written) data and observations from lab. You must sign and date page(s). 6. You should also expect to take a lab quiz following any informal lab.