1. How to Write A Lab Report

2. Format Student Name 1 point Date 1 point
Title point
Student Name 1 point
Date 1 point
Purpose: A sentence that explains why you are doing the lab. 1 point
Hypothesis: A statement of the results you expect from the lab based on your understanding of the concept and your reading of background information points
Justification of Hypothesis: WHY you chose the hypothesis you wrote. 1 point
Materials: List of materials necessary for the performance of the lab. Be sure to include all personal protective equipment required points .

3. Format cont.
Outline of the Procedure: In your own words, summarize the process to be followed during the lab. A statement of safety concerns related to this lab is a requirement points
Data and Observations: This may be written observations or data tables depending on the nature of the lab. This will be determined while writing the outline of the lab procedure points
Sketch of lab set up and/or graph: If a graph is appropriate to the data, a line graph should be done ON GRAPH PAPER. If a graph is not appropriate, then a sketch of the lab set up is required points
Analysis Questions: Answer the questions that are provided with the lab preparation sheet. ALWAYS restate the question. If you don’t, I won’t grade your answer. 20 points

4. Format Cont.
Conclusions: (This section should be the largest part of the lab report and should not include personal opinions) points
Restate the purpose
Restate the hypothesis and the justification for the hypothesis
Describe how the results were collected
Discuss the results
State why hypothesis was supported or rejected
Describe what you learned as a result of doing the lab. This must relate to the purpose of the lab
Discuss the error involved in the lab as it was performed by your group

5. Title, Name, and Date
The title of the lab should be centered on the top line of the lab report
Your name, class hour, and the date that you performed the lab should be written in the top, right hand corner of the lab report.

6. Purpose
The purpose is a sentence that explains why you are doing the lab.
In order to write an accurate purpose statement, re- write the problem from the lab into a statement.
Example:
Problem: What is a single-displacement reaction that can be observed.
Purpose: The purpose is to observe a single- displacement reaction.

7. Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement of the results you EXPECT from the lab based on your understanding of the concept and your reading of background information.
You will use the If, then, because format.
If ________________, then _________________, because blank.
If (I do this: independent variable), then (this will happen: dependent variable) because (why you think it will happen: background knowledge)

8. Justification of Hypothesis (JOH)
The JOH is a statement explaining why chose your hypothesis.

9. Materials
A bulleted list of all of the materials needed to complete the lab.

10. Outline of Procedures
This is a summary (in your own words) of the procedures from the lab.

11. Data and Observations
Write down EVERYTHING from the lab. Record all quantitative and qualitative data.
Organize data and observations into a data chart.

12. Sketch of lab set up and/or graph:
Create a graph if you obtained quantitative data. If your data does not need a graph draw a sketch of your lab set up.
For example: If burning chemicals in a Bunsen burner and collecting qualitative data, you will not need a graph. Instead, you will draw a set up of your Bunsen burner.

13. Analysis Questions:
Answer the questions that are provided with the lab preparation sheet. A:WAUS restate the question. If you don’t I won’t grade your answer.

14. Conclusions: This is the largest part of your lab report
Do NOT include personal opinions (I think)
Restate purpose
Restate hypothesis and JOH
Describe how you collected your results
Discuss the results (include control, independent variable, and dependent variable)
State if (why) your hypothesis was supported or rejected
Discuss the error involved in the lab as it was performed

15. Science Journal
All of your data from the lab should be copied into your science journal. Do NOT rely on your partner to keep the lab data. EVERYONE needs to have all data and observations points
Lab report total: 100 points