How to Write a Formal Practical Report

Aim

• The aim is what you want to find or accomplish (1-2 sentences)

• Eg, The aim of this experiment is to investigate the top speed of certain remote control cars.

Hypothesis• What you think will happen (1-3

sentences)• A good hypothesis is written in terms of

the independent and dependent variables.

• Eg, If [I do/change this]-independent variable then [this-dependent variable] will happen.

• This statement does not need to be correct, it is just what you think will happen.

Hypothesis Practice• Write a hypothesis for each of the

following purposes.a) To test whether carrot seeds or

tomato seeds germinate quicker.b) To test whether sourdough, multigrain

or white bread goes mouldy the quickest.

c) To test whether Trigg the dog likes dry food or fresh food better.

Hypothesis Practice

a) If carrots and tomato seeds are planted at the same time, then carrot seeds will germinate quicker.

b) If sourdough, multigrain and white bread are all placed in a moist plastic bag, then multigrain will go mouldy the quickest.

c) If Triggs is given a choice of dry food or moist food, then he will eat the moist first.

Materials

• List all the materials, in dot point form or sentence form, used in the experiment.

Method

• Explanation of how the experiment was attempted in 3rd person, i.e. NO “I” “WE”.

• Try to use complete sentences rather than short statements.

• Steps taken is acceptable.• Try to avoid obvious statements,

Eg “turn on the power.”

Results• The results is simply stating what

you found in a table or graph.• No discussions of results, just a

brief sentence of what your results are.

• Eg, Table 1, shows ___________.• Independent and dependent

variables must be titled and the variables units.

Results Table

• Must include a description of the table, above the table

• Easy way is independent variables (with title and units) go in first column, and dependent variables (trials) go in other columns.

• No units in numerical cells.

Results Graph• Must have title, describing the graph

below the graph (caption).• Independent variable (x-axis) must be

labelled with units.• Dependent variable (y-axis) must be

labelled with units.• Different trials must be colour coded

with a key or legend.• Try to scale your numbers in order,

rather then draw dots, on a specific number.

Results Practice• Using the results below, draw an appropriate

table and graph.Mining TemperaturesMine ADepth surface 300m 700m 1kmTemp 15oC 28oC 49oC 62oCMine BDepth surface 600m 1.5m 3kmTemp 20oC 25oC 37oC 55oC

Results Practice

Mine Depth (m) Temperature (oC)

Mine A Mine B

Surface 15 20

300 28

600 25

700 49

1000 62

1500 37

3500 55

Table 1: Temperatures in two different mines at increasing depth.

Discussions• The discussion is where you

discuss your thoughts and findings on the experiments.

• Answer any questions.• Discuss any problems or errors,

or things you would do differently to improve results.

Conclusion

• The conclusion sums up the report, it directly addresses the aim and hypothesis of the experiment.

• Eg, did you find what you wanted to find?

• 3rd person NO “I” “WE.”• 2-4 sentences