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Name _______________________________
Period _____
STEP ONE: TITLE
Write a title that includes the IV, DV and subject of your experiment. Titles often sound similar to
this: The affect of _______________ on the ____________ of ______________.
IV DV the subject
STEP TWO: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This section provides facts, vocabulary and other information that someone would need to know in
order to understand the experiment. Sometimes Background Information might be a paragraph or two
in length, but other times it might extend for several pages. Not all lab reports will require Background
Information.
STEP THREE: PROBLEM(S)
List one or more questions that the experiment will attempt to answer. If more than one question is
given, please number them. Remember that questions end with question “?” marks.
STEP FOUR: HYPOTHESIS(SES)
Write a hypothesis for each problem. If there is more than one hypothesis, please list and number
them. Hypotheses generally follow this format: If _______________ then ______________.
IV DV
STEP FIVE: PROCEDURE
The procedure is very similar to a cooking recipe. First
the materials, or equipment, are listed; then the step by PROCEDURE
step methods, or equipment, are given. MATERIALS:
Sand paper
2 wooden ramps, 1.5 meters in length and 30cm high
When listing the materials be sure to supply quantities, 2 large glass marbles
sizes, models, or any other important information. Stop watch
Also provide a description of any important precautions METHODS:
to take. 1. First do this.
2. Then do this.
3. Blah, blah, blah.
When writing the methods give a sequential, step-by-step 4. La, la, la.
5. Even an idiot could understand these very detailed
account of EXACTLY what to do. Write the methods instructions!!!!!
so clearly and precisely that even an idiot could read, 6. But just in case, here is a diagram.
understand, and follow them. Diagrams are often very
helpful in making the methods more understandable.
STEP SIX: TABLES AND/OR FIGURES
Raw data consists of the results that are collected as an investigation is in progress. Raw data is
usually collected using a table. Eventually the raw data should be averaged, changed into percentages,
and/or given some other statistical analysis. Statistical data can then be used to create a table or
figure.
Tables, or charts, are used to list numbers and
Table One: Density and Number of
observations. Tables are very useful when precise
Moons for Planets in the Solar System
information needs to be presented in an organized
fashion. Tables do not display the data in pictorial
Planet Density # Moons
form, so trends and relationships are not easy to
g/cm3
visualize. (See table one.)
Mercury 5.4 0
Figures include line graphs, bar graphs, and circle Venus 5.2 0
graphs. Figures present statistical data in diagrams so Earth 5.5 1
that relationships between data points can be easily Mars 3.9 2
visualized. Jupiter 1.3 63
Saturn 0.7 31
Uranus 1.2 25
Figure One: Average Distance Toy Neptune 1.7 13
Car Tavels per Second
25
Mean Distance Traveled
20
Use a line graph when the independent and
15
dependent variables are both numerical.
(cm)
Distance
(cm)
10 Remember that the independent variable is always
5 plotted on the x-axis and the dependent variable is
0
plotted on the y-axis. (See figure one.)
0 20 40
Time (seconds)
Figure Two: Average Time for
Construction Paper to Ignite
350
Use a bar graph when one of the variables is numerical,
Time to Ignite (seconds)
300
but the other variable is categorical. (See figure two.)
250
200
Series1
150
Figure Three: Compostion of Soil 100
50
0
Black White Red Yellow Blue
25% 25% Colors of Construction Paper
w ater
organic matter
5% minerals
air Use a circle (pie) graph when the data is given as
percentages of a whole. (See figure three.)
45%
Use the following check list to make sure that a table or figure is drawn properly.
Does the table or figure occupy at least half of the space available?
Are all axes, columns or pie wedges labeled?
Are all units provided? (time in seconds, mass in grams, etc.)
Is each table or figure numbered? Table One, Figure Two, etc.
Does each table or figure have a title that follows the number?
If necessary, is a key provided?
STEP SEVEN: CONCLUSIONS
A conclusion gives the researcher’s opinion about what the experimental results mean and if the
hypothesis was supported. Two scientists could look at the same data and make different conclusions.
This is why it is important for the researcher to use data and facts to thoroughly explain and support
the conclusions.
What follows are general guidelines for writing a conclusion.
Paragraph One: Restate the hypothesis. Using data and other facts explain why the conclusion was
supported or not supported by the experiment. Write a separate paragraph for each hypothesis if there
was more than one.
Example: This experiment was based upon a hypothesis that _________________. The data
presented in figure one indicates that ________________________. This data proves that the
hypothesis was correct/incorrect, etc.
Paragraph Two: Describe the controls that were used in designing the experiment. Why should
someone believe the results? Try to convince the reader that your experiment was very well designed
and is valid.
Paragraph Three: Describe anything else that might be interesting to the reader. For example, did
anything unexpected happen during the experiment? Were there any extraneous variables that might
have affected the results? If the experiment were repeated what should be changed or improved upon?
STEP EIGHT: PROOF READ, ETC.
Is the lab report neatly written in black/blue ink or is it typed? (12 point or larger font, please.)
Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Double check each part to make sure proper format is used.
Make sure the parts of the report are sequenced properly.
Remember not to use personal pronouns (I, you, we, etc.) or contractions.
