How to prepare a laboratory report
A laboratory report is prepared based on the test results. According to this report, the student receives a grade. In this article, we will talk about how to correctly write a lab report.
What is a lab report?
A laboratory report is created from the results of the final work, in which the student receives practical skills and can apply the theoretical knowledge of it. The structure of the report hardly differs from other scientific articles. Particular attention is paid to the design of graphic elements.
Structure of the laboratory report
What information should be in the laboratory report:
- Information about the work (subject, discipline), name of the author and professor;
- Goals and objectives;
- Object and object of investigation;
- Conventions and terms;
- Theoretical input data;
- Availability of technical equipment;
- The chosen experimental methods;
- The results obtained during the search;
- Analysis of the results of the experiment;
- Conclusion and conclusions.
Let’s consider the structure of the lab report.
Title page
The title page contains the name of the subject, the author of the paper, and some other fields. We never tire of repeating, the correct form of the cover is always in the pulpit.
Title page structure:
- Name of the university, department and faculty;
- The title “Report on laboratory work”;
- An indication of the discipline in which the laboratory work is performed;
- A complete description of the subject of the work;
- Details of the graduate from work;
- Data of the teacher who verified the work;
- City and year of work.
Introduction
At the beginning of the report, the student describes the purpose of the work and the tasks to be solved. Tasks are methods of achieving a goal.
In addition, the need for the experiment is justified, why it should be carried out and how its results can influence the development of the subject under study.
The subject and the object of the investigation are considered immediately.
The topic is the research area under investigation, the topic is a specific part, problem or question of this area.
Theoretical part
The content of the theoretical part depends on the discipline in which the laboratory work is carried out. It can be a description of formulas, theorems, tools and measurement techniques, the history of the study of the problem. All of this is presented in a diploma thesis and in the shortest possible way.
Practical part
The practical part describes the technical equipment during the experiment, the methods and the workflow.
Please pay attention to the description of the test results and your evaluation. Intermediate results are recorded in tables that complement the description of progress.
Conclusion
The report ends with a conclusion and conclusions. In it, the student fixes the final results of the experiment, lists the problems solved and concludes.
Frame Design Requirements, Graphics and Layout Materials
Some lab reports are formatted on framed sheets. This is an optional requirement and depends on the rules of the specific institution.
Frame decoration
The manuals give specific parameters for frames for different pages. You can make the frame yourself or download a pre-made one.
Decoration of illustrations
All graphic elements (tables, drawings, diagrams) are signed and numbered. Consecutive numbering in Arabic numerals. Illustrations are always placed directly after the accompanying text.
Formula format
The values of all elements of the formula must be deciphered under the formula. They are adorned with the phrase “Where …”
Conclusions
In addition to the material of the practical task, the report on the laboratory work also contains the theoretical justification, as well as the relevance of the work and the conclusions.
When preparing a lab report, it should be noted that writing and formatting requirements may vary from university to university. To avoid errors in laboratory implementation, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the relevant documents that are available from the professor or the department.
Read our blog on Student Practice Report Diary