GUIDE IN

WRITING THE
FORMAL
LABORATORY
REPORT

Laboratory Notebook:
Binder filler (12.70 cm x 17.78 cm)
Sterling Paper
Handwritten
Per group (3 students per group)
In ink
Date per page

The LABORATORY NOTEBOOK should have

the following content:
1. Title
2. TASK ASSIGNMENTS (Group Leader /
Data In-Charge, Materials In-Charge,
Cleanliness In-Charge)
3. PRINCIPLES
4. DATA
5. EQUATIONS
6. COMPUTATIONS
7. OBSERVATIONS
8. Reported By: Group Leaders Signature
Over Printed Name
9. Checked By: Teachers Signature Over
Printed Name

Laboratory Notebook:
Never attempt to erase or obliterate an
incorrect entry. Instead, cross it out with
a single horizontal line and locate the
correct entry as nearby as possible. Do not
write over incorrect numbers.
Never remove a page from the notebook.
Draw diagonal lines across any page
that is to be disregarded.

Formal Laboratory Report:

A4-size bond paper (8.27 x 11.29)
2 columns
Times New Roman
Per group (3 students per group)
Typewritten following the IEEE Format:
http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~jca/wrsc/templates/
IEEE-Conference-A4-format.pdf

The FORMAL LABORATORY REPORT

should have the following content:
1. Title (with Authors and Address)
2. ABSTRACT
3. KEYWORDS
4. INTRODUCTION
5. METHODOLOGY
6. DATA AND COMPUTATIONS
7. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
8. CONCLUSION
9. REFERENCES

TITLE
24 font size
Use the given title of the experiment
Authors: NAMES below the title
Address: GROUP NO., YEAR &
SECTION, DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL
below the names of the authors

ABSTRACT
9 font size, Bold
SUMMARY
Problem or issue addressed
Summary of method used to address the
problem
Summary of results and findings
Brief concluding remarks on outcomes

KEYWORDS

At least 5 KEYWORDS/PHRASES; 9 font

size, Bold

INTRODUCTION

10 font size
CONCEPTS involved
OBJECTIVES of the experiment
Skills highlighted
Ask yourself, "Why did we do this
activity? What was I suppose to learn or
practice?"
Specific and attainable

METHODOLOGY
10 font size
The audience should be able to repeat
the procedure if they wish to do so.
Narrative form
All MATERIALS included
Diagram/picture of the apparatus
Specific instructions
Drawing/sketch of the set-up
Dont include emotions (e.g. It was difficult,
or I had fun).

DATA AND COMPUTATIONS

10 font size
Qualitative observations
Sensual, not emotional
See, hear, touch, smell
Tables, paragraphs
Quantitative observations
Numerical
Tables

DATA AND COMPUTATIONS

10 font size
Units, significant figures, scientific notation
Equations, calculations
All computations must be shown.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

10 font size
Remember to discuss the experiment.
Discussion must be based on your data
and calculations and not on what you
find in the internet and other references.
Use the references to support your
findings or explain uncertainties.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Paragraph 1:
Write a sentence or two stating whether or
not the results from the lab procedure
fully support your objective;
do not support the objective; or
support it but with certain exceptions.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Paragraph 2:
Identify specific data from the experiment
that led you to either support or reject your
objective.
Refer to the visual representations of your
data (graphs, tables, etc.) as evidence to
back up your judgment about the objective.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Paragraph 3:
Use your understanding of scientific concepts
to explain why the results did or did not
support your objective.
Discuss the results of the experiment using
information from Data and Computations.
Even if the data is inconsistent it should still
be discussed explaining why the outcome is
different.
Use in-text citation. Note citations used and
include in the Reference section of the
report.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Paragraph 4:
Discuss other pertinent items, such as:
problems that occurred, or sources of
uncertainties in the lab procedure that
may account for any unexpected results;
how the findings compare with
theoretical or accepted values and an
explanation for any differences.

CONCLUSION
10 font size
Conclusion must address your
objectives.
How the purpose of the experiment relates to
the analysis of the data?
What did you learn?
Stick to the facts, do not comment on
whether or not you enjoyed the activity.
Specific statements
If the results of the activity were not
satisfactory, suggest how the activity could be
improved to give better data.

REFERENCES
8 font size
Use the APA format to cite your
references.
http://old.citationmachine.net/index2.php?r
eqstyleid=0&stylebox=2