A laboratory report is a document that explains the record of experimental findings. The findings on the objectives, the procedures, and the outcome must be specific and well stated so that readers could replicate the experiments.

The lab reports are documented to analyze and describe an experiment that delves into a scientific problem.

It should be noted that it might be impossible to depend on one explanation for your findings. So, is important that you present several relevant and potential interpretations as possible. For instance, if your result does not go with your hypothesis, they are still of great value because you can then prove that going by the context of your study, your argument was not reliable, and you can then proceed to other areas for research without going the same path.

Interestingly, can be an opportunity for others to research your hypothesis using different conditions. Besides, there may even be some hidden conditions that were not possible to control and isolate which you can use to back up your results

Importantly also, you need to consider the grammatical style and tone in which you present your report. Lab reports are more often than not written in the passive voice and makes use of the third person pronoun.

So, very recently, it is now acceptable to make use of the active voice, like “Larry and Jones (1976) carried out the study and also reference yourself where relevant “I hypothesized that….”

The Elements Of A Lab Report

                          Title

The reveals the focus of the experiment

                      Abstract

This may not be necessary for a short laboratory report

It is usually the last part of the research findings

It gives an overview of the research findings, and sometimes the conclusions

                  Introduction

This gives the necessary background to the experiment and tries to define relevant theories

It states the hypothesis and /or the problems

Here, the objectives are stated in a concise manner

Methodology

At this point, the materials used are described, types of equipment utilized, and the procedures used clearly explained

The flow charts of procedures should be included (where applicable), and the use of diagrams of the experimental analysis should be used also.

In the case where data is collected, properly outline any calculations or processing done on the data

Results And Analysis

Explain how the results were analyzed with error analysis

The use of tables of graphical presentation of the result is done here

Discussion

Interpretation of result in terms of the research questions/aims

Give a summary of the research findings and shortcomings

Recommend ways to overcome shortcomings and give future directions

Conclusion

Let the audience be reminded of the problem investigated

Summarize the findings and relate it to the problem

Identify the cause and effect of the findings

References

This follows a specific referencing style, so, follow a particular style

List details of the publication of all text used, this will make readers to easily and quickly find the sources

Appendices

These are materials not included in the main document. For example, calculations, raw data, etc.