2/15/2015

1

Moo-Yeal Lee, Ph.D.

Adapted from H.S. Fogler, 3rd Ed. & Dr. Talus Guidelines

How to Write Lab Reports (Who are the readers of your lab reports?)

Cover Page

Table of Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Theory

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

References

Appendix

Format of main text 1.5 spacing or double spacing

Arial (11 pt font size) or Times New Roman (12 pt)

Normal margins (e.g., 1 left and right)

Main Body of Lab Report

2/15/2015

2

Title

Team members and roles

Course/date/term

Cover Page

Abstract

This is one-page summary of the lab report It is a self-standing summary which is read by most people

Define the problem

Tell how you approached the problem

Describe the important results found

Probably you write the section at last, but put first in your lab report.

2/15/2015

3

Introduction

This section sets the stage and explains what you are doing and why it is important

Define the problem and tells why it is an important problem worthy of being studied

Give background information [cite references]

Describe the fundamental issues

Discuss and analyze how they relate to published work in the area

Very often, it is weak in the lab reports because its importance is underestimated by the students

This is where all specific details of the experiments are included Materials used

Apparatus with schematics and pictures

Step-by-step procedures including all measurements and when they were taken

The procedure should be detailed enough so that another group can duplicate what you did

Sample calculations (e.g., titration) should be included in Appendix

Experimental error/uncertainty estimation (e.g., transitional state) is included

Safety issues sometimes included (The MSDS sheets may be included in the Appendix)

Materials and Methods

2/15/2015

4

This is where you develop the necessary technical background

It is not just a list of the involved equations

The interrelation between the equations is essential (e.g., conductivity vs. velocity) All relevant equations and their interrelations

Cite the source references for the equations

May or may not include the nomenclature (i.e. symbols used) right after the equations

If you include nomenclature, you must include the units (numbers/variables without units are meaningless!)

Theory

Results: Describe major findings (not everything leading to the major finding)

Make sure figures and tables all have titles and the units of each variable are displayed

Detailed captions for all figures and tables are necessary

Discuss all sources of error and describe how they would affect your results

Discussion: Tells why the results look the way they do

Discuss whether they are consistent with theory, either one you developed or that of others

You should describe where theory and experiment are in good agreement as well as those conditions where the theory would not apply

Implications of the uncertainty/error in the findings

Often results and discussions are combined

Results and Discussion

ELSl:.Vll:R~======~------========~==~

41 2 3K - promoter added (wt%)

o+---~--~--~-~o

ro~ 8

o uncalcinedC calcined

K-promoted PdfAI20316~-------------.

1 2 3K - promoter added (wt%)

12

K-promoted Pd/MgO

11 calcinedo uncalcined

Use High-Quality IllustrationsI

l;.L!:itVll:R--======~------------------ ..Fig.Z FTIR spectra of purified MWNls

36 I

Fig_ITEM image ofpurified MWNTs

An example of an unreadable figure with the unnecessary usage of color

2/15/2015

5

38 IELSEVIER~====~------~======~==~

Revision of the table Water depth (m) Gravel (%) Sand (%) Mud(%)5 3.4 81.4 15.2

50 2.5 58.4 39.1100 0 32.5 67.5

L ~ l@~ f1 la{OIoIQl.DiD~-= Results lDepth Gravel Sand Mud

Sm 3,42% 81.41% lS,17%

SOm 2,S% S8.42% 39.08%

100111 0,0% 32.S% 67.S%

2/15/2015

6

List all important information you learned from this work

Usually very short recap of purpose and major findings with numbers where appropriate

Provide specific recommendations for future work such as other issues to examine, improvements to the apparatus, etc.

Conclusions

2/15/2015

7

List all resource material you referred to in this work in the proper bibliographical format

Example Walgren, J. L., Mitchell, M. D. & Thompson, D. C. (2005) Role of

metabolism in drug-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, Critical reviews in toxicology 35, 325-361.

References

Sample calculations (e.g., titration data)

Experimental data (e.g., raw and processed data in tables)

Supporting equations

MATLAB codes

Error Analysis (5 points)

Appendix

2/15/2015

8

(10 points) Abstract

(15 points) Introduction

(10 points) Materials and Methods

(15 points) Theory

(25 points) Results & Discussion

(10 points) Conclusions

(5 points) References

(10 points) Appendix

Grading Scale