7/30/2019 Lab Write Up Procedures

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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 number2. 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 aboutthe 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 inparagraph form)

5. Safety Precautions List any safety precautions necessary based on the experiment to be carried out. Ifchemicals 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 anapparatus 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 them9. Conclusion must include:

a. Introductory sentenceb. Summary of procedures (do NOT list step-by-step here)c. Details of observations and results of the labd. 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 otheraspect 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. Ifchemicals 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 them4. Conclusion must include:

a. Introductory sentenceb. Summary of procedures (do NOT list step-by-step here)c. Details of observations and results of the labd. 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 otheraspect 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.