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HOW TO WRITE A LAB REPORT

3 Big Tips:
I.
Do not use personal pronouns. This means, do not use I or weor

you.

II.

The reader was not there so write enough detail in your lab report so the person
reading your lab report can see what happened and could repeat your method.

III.

When you are finished writing your lab, compare your work to the level 7-8 band
of the assessment sheet. Highlight the level that you think matches your work.
47 Detailed Tips:
Date of Experiment:
Name of Experimenter:
A

Title:
1.

Remember to state the independent and dependent variables in the title.

Research Question:
1.
2.

Name of Helper if any:

Use this wording: How does the (name of the independent variable) affect the (name of the dependent variable)?
Then describe (which means give a detailed account of) the science involved in this investigation. Cite source of the science.

Variables:
1.
2.
3.

Independent Variable: the one variable that is changed by the person designing the experiment
Dependent Variable: the one that is affected by the independent variable. It is usually the one
variable that is measured.
Controlled Variable: All the variables that must be kept the same to make it a fair test.

Variables must be presented in this form but add rows if you need to.

Briefly name the

variable
Ex. volume of water

For IV say how it will be changed,

what values will be used?
For DV say how it will be
measured.
For CV say how it will be kept the
same.

Independent
Dependent Variable
Controlled variables
(CV)

Hypothesis:
1.
2.

Equipment and Materials:

1.
2.
3.

A statement that predicts what will happen. Use the structure: Ifthenbecause
For the because part you need to give scientific reasoning so when you do your research, state
in parentheses ( ) what source helped you decide on your hypothesis.

A bulleted list of the equipment used, including safety equipment required.

Include quantitative information (amounts, sizes, concentrations, and units).
Under the list, point out any dangers for this experiment.

Method:

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1.
2.
3.
4.

Diagram of Equipment Set Up:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

H
1.
2.
4.
5.

Give numbered steps written in short sentences. Include all steps. Do not use I or you.
Begin each step with a verb. Verbs are action words such as get, put, read, record, pour etc.
State how to manipulate, measure, and control all variables.
Include how the data will be collected and processed. To have sufficient data, try to change the
independent variable 5 ways and try to get 5 readings for each change of the independent
variable.
Should be a page. Draw with a ruler and pencil.
A horizontal line drawn with a ruler should lead to the label.
Do not use arrowheads.
Write to one side of the label line, not on it.
Labels should line up under each other on the right hand side.

Observations/Raw Data:

Record only relevant observations

Record all relevant observations.
3. Include qualitative observations (descriptions) and quantitative observations (measurements).
Present observations in a logically designed table that is easy to read.
Give each table a detailed title that includes the independent variable and the dependent variable.
6. Each column heading should contain the name of the quantity being measured and units of
measurement.

Processing and Presenting Data:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Conclusion:
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

You may need to do calculations. Show just one example calculation.

Name each step of the calculation so the reader can follow what you did.
You need to include a graph.
Put the independent variable on the x-axis, put the dependent variable on the y-axis.
Label each axis with a quantity and a unit.
Give the graph a detailed title includes the independent variable and the dependent variable.

Answer the Research Question with ONE sentence summarizing your data. DO NOT repeat the
data.
Clearly describe all trends and patterns you see in your data.
Point out any strange results that may have occurred. Can you explain them?
To discuss the validity of your hypothesis, (how your results compare to your hypothesis) write
your points in this table.
Ways in which the results
Ways in which the results do not
support the hypothesis
support the hypothesis
Under the table, write one sentence with an overall judgment on how your results compare to
your hypothesis based on the evidence in the table.
Where possible, compare the results to published data or to theories. Cite the source.
Explain the conclusion scientifically. Cite the source.

Evaluation:

Consider these points when you answer 1 and 2 below: Were there enough trials, were
the independent variable changes different enough to identify a pattern, were the key variables
controlled, were the tools used correctly, were the appropriate tools used?

1.

Complete this statement: This lab was a fair test because

2.

Make a table like this for as many weaknesses as you can think of.
Weakness in the steps of the method

How it affects the results

Suggested
improvement

GOOD EXAMPLE: Mixture was stirred by

different people.
NOT THIS: I made a mistake in the
calculations.
3.

Make suggestions for further inquiry what could be the next experiment?

Real Life Applications:

1. Give at least one real life use of the concept explored in this experiment.

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Works Cited:
1.
2.
3.
4.

This is where you list all the sources you cited in your lab report. You have a separate sheet on
this called How to Use In Text Citations and Write a Works Cited List
Make sure this list only has sources you already cited in parenthesis ( ).
Make sure the first word in parentheses is also the first word in the entry on the works cited list.
Indent after the first line of each entry.
For example: In the lab report the student has this fact from a website by author Jenny Talia
Chickens do not have a sternum of a shape that big muscles can attach to. (Talia)
And so, in the Works Cited list, the student has this entry
Talia, Jenny. "Chicken Body Parts." New Book Of Popular Science. The
New Book of

2012 <http://go.grolier.com/>

Popular Science. Scholastic Lib. 3 Aug.