Lab Report Template
Formal Lab Report Template
Title Page
Number of the experiment
Title of the experiment
Names of lab partners
Date(s) on which the experiment was conducted
Abstract = What are the main points of the entire report?
Purpose or objective
Key results
Major points of discussion
Main conclusion(s)
Introduction = What is the background and purpose of the experiment?
Purpose or objective
One or two sentences, including the main method(s) used to accomplish the purpose.
Background and Theory (if applicable)
Information from previous research
Explanations of theories
Methods or equations used (a brief description of the setup and process you will use in the experiment)
Additional Information (if applicable)
Hypothesis = what is expected to happen in the experiment based on background information
Safety information (ask your instructor)
Materials and Methods = What was used to conduct the experiment?
Equipment used in a bulleted list
Graphics of more complex setups
Experimental Procedure = How exactly was the experiment conducted?
Step 1 or write out in paragraph form
Step 2 or write out in paragraph form
Results (Findings) = What was observed?
Raw data (weights, temperature, etc) organized into graphs or tables.
Important results in verbal form.
Calculations. Usually, only a sample of each calculation is needed.
Discussion (Analysis) = What do the results mean? + your error analysis.
Compare expected results with actual results.
Analyze experimental error.
Explain how the methods could be improved.
Explain the results in terms of the purpose.
Relate the results to those of other, similar experiments.
Conclusion = So what?
Purpose of the experiment restated
Summary of definitive conclusions from the results
Any future experiments or improvements you could recommend
Title Page
Number of the experiment
Title of the experiment
Names of lab partners
Date(s) on which the experiment was conducted
Abstract = What are the main points of the entire report?
Purpose or objective
Key results
Major points of discussion
Main conclusion(s)
Introduction = What is the background and purpose of the experiment?
Purpose or objective
One or two sentences, including the main method(s) used to accomplish the purpose.
Background and Theory (if applicable)
Information from previous research
Explanations of theories
Methods or equations used (a brief description of the setup and process you will use in the experiment)
Additional Information (if applicable)
Hypothesis = what is expected to happen in the experiment based on background information
Safety information (ask your instructor)
Materials and Methods = What was used to conduct the experiment?
Equipment used in a bulleted list
Graphics of more complex setups
Experimental Procedure = How exactly was the experiment conducted?
Step 1 or write out in paragraph form
Step 2 or write out in paragraph form
Results (Findings) = What was observed?
Raw data (weights, temperature, etc) organized into graphs or tables.
Important results in verbal form.
Calculations. Usually, only a sample of each calculation is needed.
Discussion (Analysis) = What do the results mean? + your error analysis.
Compare expected results with actual results.
Analyze experimental error.
Explain how the methods could be improved.
Explain the results in terms of the purpose.
Relate the results to those of other, similar experiments.
Conclusion = So what?
Purpose of the experiment restated
Summary of definitive conclusions from the results
Any future experiments or improvements you could recommend
References: pic]