K. R. Sturgeon's Laboratory Report Format
(A more exhaustive description will be distributed in class.)

Formal reports will be required for most experiments. The report does not necessarily have to be lengthy or elaborate. Scientific writing should be clear, concise, and accurate. The report should be typed including the data; graphs may be in pencil on graphing paper if necessary. When a laboratory report is required, each student will be responsible for completing his/her own report. The report will consist of

1. Title Page. This section should include the student's name, title of the lab, date of the lab, names of the partners, and the organization. Please note that word processors allow for some great formatting techniques. I recommend you use them.

2.  Table of Contents. List the major report headings; show a list of tables and figures with titles; indicate the contents of the appendix; and show corresponding page numbers. Use APA format.

3. Abstract.  A short paragraph stating (a) the purpose or objective of the lab, (b) briefly describe what took place in lab or how you set out to address the purpose, and what measurements where made, and (c) an assessment of how well the purpose was achieved. This section includes results with comparisons to the actual values or relationships. Be sure to describe any important terms or ideas.

4. Procedure. A brief description (including diagrams where feasible) of equipment and procedure. This section must be written so that anyone could perform the lab from your description.

5. Data. Data tables and graphs should always be included where appropriate. Data should be tabulated in rows and columns if possible. Be sure to refer to their location and give a short description of each directly on the data page. Data should never be thrown on a page without an explanation. I should be able to recognize your experiment and generalize your conclusion from this section alone. Also note that graphs are useful in the interpretation of data, and good graphing techniques should always be used. It is not a bad idea to refer to this section's location in the abstract.  Data appears in the appendix.

6. Discussion: Theory, Calculations & Conclusions. Using your textbook, the theory in the write-up, and any references that you have available, write in your own words background information, fundamental principles behind the experiment, and theory for the experiment. Detailing the concepts and formulae used. Include, why the formulae are used and what manipulations are necessary to analyze the data.  Clarify equations to be used and define all variables.  Also indicate any important assumptions for validity of the equations. Derivations of equations should be made where appropriate.  Finally, analyze the data and draw conclusions regarding your purpose.   If the lab is seeking a mathematical relationship then include it here. If it is comparing two values include the percent error. Any differences should be noted and an explanation must be given for the differences. Any sources of error should be discussed. Discussion of error should include (1) sources of error, and (2) effects of each on results with regard to both magnitude and direction.  To conclude the section a reference to a sample calculation should be made.  All calculations should have a sample calculation included in the appendix. Calculations should outline, preferably by giving the equation algebraically before substituting numbers, the theory. Don't forget to internally cite references for borrowed ideas or expressions.

Example:  Written by Rocky Atwood and Brian Duez

Linear momentum of a particle of mass m moving with a velocity v is defined to be the product of mass and velocity:  P = mv.  Conservation of momentum applies when two particles interact with each other but are isolated from outside forces.  In other words, they can exert a force on each other, but no external forces can exists. By Newton's third law, if particle 1 exerts a force on particle 2, then there must be a equal and opposite force exerted by particle 2 on particle 1.  If momentum of 1 is P1 and momentum of 2 is P2 , Newton's 2nd law indicates that F1=dP1\dt  and F2 = dP2\dt.
Where F1 is the force exerted on particle 2 by particle 1.  F2 is the force exerted by particle 2 on particle 1.  Recall, Newton’s 3rd law says F2 and F1 are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Thus,

F2=F1
and
F1+F2=0
or
dP1/dt + dP2/dt = d/dt (P1 + P2) = 0

Because the time derivative of the total momentum Ptot = P1 + P2 = 0 we conclude that the total momentum of the system must remain constant:

P1i + P2i = P1f + P2f
Where p1i and p2i are the initial values and p1f and p2f the final values of the momentum during the time interval dt over which the objects interact.  Recall that momentum is a vector quantity and therefore this relationship is true for all dimensions.  Thus, we have the law of conservation of linear momentum.  It can be extended to any number of particles in an isolated system.  Whenever two or more particles in an isolated system interact, the total momentum of the system remains constant in all direction.  For a sample calculation see Appendix I.  [Conclusions should then follow with error analysis.]

7. Conclusion. This section should reflect the purpose given at the beginning of the report and contain a very brief description of the concepts and type of experiment used to achieve the purpose. The results obtained in the experiment must be compared with the stated purpose and theory.

8.  Appendix.  Include a list of references cited in the report in APA style, acknowledgments, sample calculations, diagrams, figures, and the data tables.

Lab Report Grading--See instructor for a rubic.