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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: jennielynn_1980 on December 18, 2006, 04:10:28 PM

Title: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on December 18, 2006, 04:10:28 PM
I know there used to be a link to a page that described how to write a lab report.  I can't find it now.  Does anyone know a good site that describes the proper way to write a lab report?
Thank you :)
Title: Re: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: enahs on December 18, 2006, 04:51:57 PM
At your level, that is kind of subjective.

You should ask what your teacher wants/they should give you a guide line. As so much of the stuff/style you use in your early chemistry academic career is just to make it easier for the instructor to grade, while checking to see if you understood what is going one.

The two main things, pick a verb tense and stick with it (either past or present tense, do not switch around). And make sure to check your significant figures!


But really, I would ask your instructor for a general outline.
Title: Re: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on December 18, 2006, 04:57:59 PM
I am doing a distance education course so it is kind of tough to ask my instructor :-\

So far I have tried the following format:

Purpose
Method
Observations
Data Processing (basically answering the questions that are given with the lab)

Is this appropriate or am I missing a major section?

Thanks for your help and suggestions.
Title: Re: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: Dan on December 18, 2006, 05:05:06 PM
You may be expected to do an evaluation at the end. Basically, identify the flaws/limitations of the experiment, sources of error, explain any erroneous data, and suggest how the experiment could be improved or extended.
Title: Re: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: Borek on December 18, 2006, 05:26:50 PM
mike posted something like that looooong ago...

Yeah, search is a fantastic tool if you know how to use it:

http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=6847.msg30791#msg30791
Title: Re: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: constant thinker on December 18, 2006, 09:36:04 PM
In my school I've found that teachers generally do the: Intro/purpose, Methods and materials, data/observations, and then analysis and conclusion. Sometimes the analysis and conclusion get lumped together.

What mike has seams pretty good.
Title: Re: Writing Lab Reports
Post by: jennielynn_1980 on December 19, 2006, 04:27:49 PM
Thanks, you are all very helpful :)