Although there is no single way that all scientists organize their
reports, all GOOD reports share certain common elements. These
elements
typically include:
Statement of the Problem or Issue
An Initial Hypothesis or Prediction
Description of the Specific Experimental Context and Plan
Presentation and Interpretation of Results
Discussion
Most of the labs in this course represent abbreviated laboratory
investigations.
They are abbreviated in the sense that some aspects of the experiment
have
already been established for you. The statement of the problem, the
prediction
and some of the experimental plan have been specified. Your objective
in
these labs is to implement the experimental plan and then make
judgments
based on your interpretation of the results you obtain. Appropriate for
such labs is the use of the following abbreviated lab report format.
For these labs, your lab report should include:
A brief introductory section
• A brief statement in your own words of the problem under
investigation.
• A sketch of the experimental situation with relevant physical
quantities
labeled.
• Clear identification of all measured quantities that will appear
in your tables and calculations.
A more extensive section presenting data and analysis
• Data tables & sample calculations
• Graphs & graphical analysis
A discussion/conclusion based on your interpretation of your results.
• Summary of expectations based on theory
• Summary of empirical results
• Evaluation of results to expectations leading to conclusions
regarding
validity or applicability the theory. Implications of experimental
error
are considered.
• Written in paragraph form using general statements and specific
supporting
statements and information.
Additional requirements:
• Reports should be wordprocessed.
• Graphs should be done by hand. Tables can be done by hand or
wordprocessed.
• Include the name of the lab centered at the top of the report.
• At the top of the report on the right side include your name, your
partner's name, and the date
Tips for Data tables:
Tables should have appropriate headers indicating the quantity
with
units in parentheses. Only numbers appear in the body of the table.
Tips for sample calculations:
A sample calculation is required for any derived quantity, slope,
or % error calculation.
A sample calculation should include general formula, substitute in
specific values and calculate
Tips for Graphs:
Each graph should have an appropriate title.
Select appropriate axes: axes should cover 1/2 page or more.
The vertical axis is usually the dependent variable, while the
horizontal
axis is usually the independent variable.
Choose convenient scales.
You do not need to include zero on your scale unless it is important
to interpretation (which it very often is).
Use a legend if you have more than one set of data graphed.
Include error bars as is appropriate.
Tips for Graphical analysis:
Draw a best fit line when appropriate -- do not connect the dots
as
a rule
Determine the slope and y-intercept of a line.
Write the equation of a line -- y = mx + b.
Determine the uncertainty in the slope value.