Lab Writeup Format

Laboratory Write-Up Format Title: Describes the lab content concisely, adequately and appropriately. Date: The date the data was collected. Purpose: May be a statement or a question. Introduction/Background: (Background information) A three to five sentence statement that provides the reader with the necessary background information to understand the relevance of the experiment. Identifies and explains the scientific concepts related to the lab. Hypothesis: Must be stated in an If . . . then statement; indicate your rationale for making the prediction. Example: If the (independent variable) is (describe how it is changed), then the (dependent variable) will (describe the effect). Rationale: Include a rationale (or reason) for your prediction. Materials: List format. Quantities should be listed and all measurements must be in metric. Procedure: Step format (what, where, when and how much!) Describes the procedure used to gather data. Give enough details to allow for replication. Include pictures/diagrams whenever possible to clarify the experimental set-up. Variables: Identify the: • Independent (manipulated) variable • Dependent (responding) variable and how is was measured • Controlled variables (constants) • Control/comparison group Safety: Note and describe all safety concerns or hazards Results/Analysis: Data: Data must be arranged in charts, tables, etc. Graphs should follow if appropriate and clarify the data. Graphs alone are not acceptable. Data analysis/discussion: Discussion and analysis of the data. Provide a logical explanation for comparison using specific data. Experimental error: Identifies the random, systematic and/or measurement errors that may have occurred AND/OR the ways in which these error were avoided. Conclusion: (three paragraph format) 1st paragraph - Restatement of purpose and hypothesis 2nd paragraph - Summary of procedure and data without details 3rd paragraph - Concluding statement; was hypothesis supported or refuted