SNC 2D

How To Write a Lab Report

Scientists use experiments as a key part of their scientific work. It is essential that scientists are
able to perform experiments, draw conclusions, and to clearly communicate both their results and
the meaning of those results. Lab reports are the primary communication tool for experimental
results.

A quality lab report will be precise, accurate and well organized.

A lab report should thoroughly explain the following (as if the reader doesn’t know anything about the lab):
 Why the experiment was conducted  The results
 How the experiment was done  What the results mean (possible inferences
& conclusions)
Title Page
The title of the lab in large font in the upper middle section of the page.
At the bottom of the page, centered and in smaller font, you should list your name, your teacher’s
name, the course code, the due date for the lab report.

The breakdown of a lab report may vary slightly. In this class these are the sections we will be using:
(These sections should be included in the order they are listed in)

Purpose
The reason you conducted the lab and are writing the report.

Hypothesis
The hypothesis predicts the results and is an answer to the purpose.
** Avoid using ‘I think…’ in a hypothesis, use ‘It is thought…”

Materials (When a materials list is provided on a hand out, write “refer to lab handout” in this section)
A list of all materials used in the experiment. This should include all of the equipment as well as any
required chemicals.

Procedure (When a procedure is provided on a hand out, write “refer to lab handout” in this section)
Numbered steps clearly written in full sentences to describe how the experiment was done.
Each step should begin with a command verb like a recipe (e.g. Measure, Place, Weigh, etc…)
**The reader should be able to reproduce the lab from these instructions**

Observations
 Observations should be as complete and accurate as possible.
 Include only what you observed or experienced (no inferences).
 Your observations section should be as organized as possible – paragraphs, tables, diagrams, etc.
 Give all tables, graphs, charts and diagrams meaningful titles
 Use units where necessary (write them once in the table heading or on the axes of graphs).

Conclusion
State the results and whether your results support your hypothesis or not.
Indicate any sources of error or any interesting things that were noted.

Discussion Questions
Answer any questions that accompanied or were assigned with the experiment.
 Overall Appearance
 Your lab report should be typed
 The text should be 1.5 or double-spaced for easy marking
 The title of each section should be underlined
 Your report should be neat and organized in the proper order
 You should attach work you did during the lab to the back of your good copy.
 Your report should be stapled in the top left corner (no fancy folders or paperclips please!)
 Make sure to check spelling and grammar before you hand in your report (have someone else
proof-read too!)

Example Marking Scheme:

Title Page: 0 1 2
Purpose: 0 1 2 3
Hypothesis 0 1 2 3
Materials 0 1 2 3
Procedure 0 1 2 3 4 5
Observations 0 1 2 3 4 5
Conclusion 0 1 2 3 4 5
Discussion Questions (marks will depend on questions)
Grammar
Spelling
Quality and Appearance

Note: on some labs you will not be required to re-copy materials and procedure from a handout, in
those cases, provide the heading and say “please refer to lab handout”. Those sections will be
worth 1 mark each.
Lab Report Communication Rubric
Level (%) R (0-49%) 1(50 – 59%) 2(60 – 69%) 3(70 – 79%) 4(80 – 100%)
Report does not Report’s tense and Report is written in Writing style
use consistent, language are a consistent tense exceeds
formal writing style. mostly consistent. and formal expectations.
Style Titles and labels of Diagrams/tables language is used. Titles and labels on
diagrams/tables are present but All diagrams/tables diagrams/tables
are missing. titles and labeling have titles and are exceed
are inconsistent labeled correctly expectations
Not all main points Main points are Main points are Report is written Main points are
are explained or partially explained. explained but not without assumption fully explained
included. Examples and/or in reproducible of prior knowledge. without assumption
Examples and/or diagrams are detail. Examples Examples and/or of prior knowledge.
Content diagrams are somewhat lacking. and/or diagrams diagrams are Examples and/or
missing. are included where included where diagrams are
appropriate or appropriate or included where
required required. appropriate or
required
Parts of the report Report is Report legible and Report is neat and Organization and
Structure & are missing. disorganized or mostly organized organized structure exceed
Organization illegible but all according to according to expectations.
parts are present. handout. handout.
Grammar, Grammar and Frequent errors in Grammar and Grammar and Grammar and
spelling & spelling errors grammar and spelling are spelling are mostly spelling are
mechanics impede spelling are somewhat correct. correct. Scientific correct. Scientific
understanding of present. Scientific Use of scientific terminology is terminology is used
all or portions of terminology is terminology is used correctly. frequently and
the text. used mostly correct. correctly.
inappropriately.