A lab report proves that you understand scientific experiments. The report does not just focus on following the rules. It also focuses on getting the highest grades. The grades you get depend on several things.
You must understand every method for the experiment. It is critical to observe the results you get. It is from the results that you write a report. Laboratory reports mostly cover the STEM subjects. To get an A in your lab report, follow this guide and tips.
Understand the purpose of your lab report
There are millions of different types of lab reports. They test different things but they have one main purpose. They give a summary of the tests done in a laboratory. The tests use apparatus and samples. The purpose is to see what is in that sample.
Laboratory reports tell the reader what was done during the experiment. It tells them what was used and how it was used. The report goes further to explain what was observed. These are the results that were obtained. They should help another person perform the same experiment. If they do, they should get the same result.
Many students do not like to write lab reports. They feel the experiments are too demanding. The most difficult part is writing the actual report. A student should not fear getting poor grades from lab reports. Thay can use a custom lab report writing service with professional writers who always create good lab reports.
Understand the structure of a lab report
Unless given guidelines, all lab reports have a similar structure. A lab report is divided into sections. Each section contains specific details. Every lab report has the following sections.
- Title
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Method
- Outcomes
- Discussions
- Conclusion
- References
There is no rule that you must include every section. Some types of lab reports have fewer or more sections. It depends on the experiment or instructions given.
Get a deeper understanding of lab reports
Every lab report is different depending on the experiment involved. They use different apparatus and samples. Some experiments use chemicals while others use natural substances. Before you work on the experiment, research deeper about it. Make sure you understand it better.
The rules of the methods are very specific. Some chemicals are dangerous when mixed. Read to understand how the chemical reacts. You must know how the apparatus is connected. You must think beyond what you already know. The results you get could be different. Try to understand why they were different. Deeper knowledge about lab reports is critical.
Conduct the experiment
Your lab report is based on the experiment you did. You must first experiment before you write a report. Experiments are usually done in laboratories. Some other types can be done away from a lab. You must have an idea of the expected results.
Observe closely every step of the experiment. Record the details of each step. For example, record the items you are using. This includes types, sizes, and quantities. Observe the reactions or outcomes. Record what you do and compare it with your expectations. Notice if that is what you expected or not. Try to think about why the result is different.
Write the report
Follow the lab report structure when writing your report. Provide details for each section. Keep the focus on the experiment you did. Have in mind what you observed and any unexpected outcomes.
The title
The title tells the reader what experiment was done. The topic should be related to the experiment. For example, you could have tested the safety of drinking water. The title can be something like “safety and quality of drinking water report.”
Abstract
An abstract is a summary of the report. Many students write the abstract last. Some prefer to write it first. Some lab reports don’t require an abstract. It explains the following:
- Why the experiment was done
- The problem at hand
- The outcomes
- Explanation
Introduction
- The introduction explains the problem experimented
- Explain the expectations of the experiment
- Explain any other important information
Methods
The method means the steps that you followed in the lab. Explain in detail the material that you used. You should explain how you arranged the items. Explain the specific qualities you measured.
Materials
Materials means the equipment you used. Here are examples of materials.
- 50 wheat seeds
- 3 kgs of soil
- 5 liters of water
Results
The results mean what you observed during the experiment. They are the outcomes of your experiment. You should describe them in detail. The results can be described in different ways.
- Use diagrams
- Tables
- Graphs
- Charts
- Photos
For example, if you were experimenting with germination, you can write as follows:
- Number of days taken to germinate
- How many seeds germinated
- How many didn’t germinate
- Color of seedlings during germination
- Height after seven days
- Effect of fertilizer
Discussion
In the discussion,
- Explain why the results were that way.
- Discuss what you expected against what you observed
- Compare the results with your expectations
- Take note of any errors observed. It could be because you didn’t follow every step.
- Suggest what should be done in future
The conclusion
The conclusion gives an overview of the lab report. You should mention the topic and explain the purpose. This should be done very briefly. Do not mention the method in the conclusion. Instead, say the results in brief. Explain the discussion of the report briefly. If you have any limitations, mention them in this section. You may mention any recommendations but in brief.
References
References tell the reader where you got your information. It is important to let them see if your sources are credible. If they want to confirm, they will use your references. When writing references, follow this format:
- Write the first name of the author
- Write their first initial
- The year of publication
- Title of the book, article, journal, etc.
- Write the name of the journal or book in italics
- Include the issue number and page number
Edit your lab report
The final part is to edit your lab report. Read the report loudly to hear yourself reading. Take note of any mistakes you have made. Correct every mistake. Make sure your lab report is original and attractive.
