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How to Write a
Laboratory
Report
A-2 1: How to Write a

Preparatory Comments
The format of scientific writing is more restricted than a short story
or novel. Scientists, when reporting their research results to a journal,
are not given wide latitude with respect to style, but must follow
carefully scripted conventions. Each portion of a lab report (lab
summary), has a particular limited purpose. All of the parts integrate
into a meaningful whole which precisely reports the results and
importance of that research study.

A note before you begin.

Certain practices are appropriate for a college-level assignment and
certain practices are not appropriate. For example, it is expected that
reports will be typed (word processed). Also, the use of lined note­
book paper is not appropriate for a laboratory report as it indicates
"work in progress" and not the finished product. Completed reports
should be stapled or held in a binder and not handed in "loose" or
paper-clipped together.

Naturally, poor syntax, atrocious spelling, etc. are also non­

acceptable practices for any college-level writing assignment.

Researchers in biology communicate the results and significance of

their work by publishing articles in professional journals where they
will be seen and read by other investigators. Laboratory reports are
written in the same general format as journal articles to communicate
research in an effective and scientific manner.

All laboratory reports should include the following:

TITLE
The title should indicate what the laboratory report is about. It should
be brief, start with a key word, and indicate the nature of the
investigation.

ABSTRACT
In a paragraph or two, explain the objectives of the research, how the
experiment was conducted, the findings of the experiment, and
finally, the implications and conclusions of the experiment.
Remember, an abstract is KOT an outline of your experiment. Rather,
it is a short synopsis and should be written after the remainder of
vour lab summary has been completed.
 Appendix 1: How to Write a Laboratory Report A-3

INTRODUCTION

All laboratory reports should begin with a short section describing

(1) the purpose of the investigation;
(2) justifications for performing the experiment;
(3) the hypothesis to be tested;
(4) predictions about possible outcomes;
(5) the rationale for your experimental approach.

M~AsANDMETHODS

This section ~~ :rJ.~scriPtion

hypothesis, incli'fdiJ("'
of how you tested your

( 1) experimental proce~s ti ~, with a description of the

different treatments yiJru~~-~., 'J~
(2) the materials and equ lIPll~oU~Y'i~·d.ntifY these as they are
discussed, rather than listin ~~parate ;
(3) the location of the study; anU~' ~ {\.

~s sec~his
(4) any statistical techniques use he rea&sJ~ d be able to
reproduce your experiment after rea . section is
usually written in paragraph form and in ....~t tense.

RESULTS
In this part of the laboratory report, you organize and summarize the
data generated by your experiment. General trends in the data should
be discussed. Use tables and figures and graphs, as appropriate, to
summarize the quantitative data. See Appendix 2 for graphing
techniques. Data organized by statistical measures, such as means (a
measure of central tendency) and standard deviations (a measure of
variability) or standard errors (a measure of reliability), should be
included in the form of tables and figures. Also, you should describe
the important aspects of your data in words.

Make sure to label your tables and figures properly so they can be
understood without having to read every word in the Results section.
Remember to give all graphs and tables a title and make sure that all
axes of graphs are clearly designated. Concisely state the results of
any statistical analysis you perform. Interpretations are not made in
this section!

DISCUSSION (CONCLUSIONS)
The Discussion section gives you the opportunity to intrepret your
results and explain why they are important. For a strong Discussion
section:
A-4 Appendix 1: How to Write a Laboratory Report

• summarize the results in a way that provides evidence for your

conclusions. Avoid using the word "prove" when dicussing your
results.
• include any inferences which arose from your analysis of the
experimental data.
point out any inconsistencies in your data. This is preferential to
concealing an anomolous result.
• discuss the possible sources of error.

It is helpful to note any limitations (e.g., small sample size) or

problems (e.g., faulty equipment) that may have affected your
results. Suggest how the investigation might have been improved. Do
not overstate this aspect of the discussion; include it only if you think
there is considerable room for improvement. In this section, you
should also indicate the importance and possible applications of your
findings and propose any new questions that occurred to you as the
result of your study.

Bl~GRAPHY

The bibliography refe,ces s~be placed in alphabetical order

by author in a speci~9top -J:il~of your report. The correct
style for a bibliograpfi'ic ~~ is . ws: Last name, first and
middle initial (for first auth~-;.d fi tln'dlmiddle initial and last
name (of second author); ex'ttrid~ 'es ~~onal authors. Date
(year). Title of article. Title of 'talic~ tin erlined) Volume
(Issue number, optional): Pages. Ie: D a is, D.C. and
S.R. Friedman. 1994. "AIDS and ~. 0 .. d drugs."
Scientific American 270(2): 82-88. App Inclu I~ata (all
recorded observations), sample calculatio ~itio~a'bles or
figures not mentioned in the text, and ari~~ relevant and
necessary materials. ~

TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WRITING

, ...... LABORATORY REPORTS
1. Focus on carefully obtaining, analyzing, and interpreting your
results. Do not concentrate on searching for the "right" answer or
results that match those found by others. You should always consider
the possibility that you have made an error; however, you should not
reject your data just because they disagree with previously reported
results. When drawing a conclusion, you must discuss and consider
all of your data, not just those which support your views or
hypothesis. Others may disagree with your interpretation of results,
but you must consider all findings.
 Appendix I: How to Write a Laboratory Report A-5

2. Remember, you can never be absolutely sure that your hypothesis

is true no matter how good your results may appear. Your results will
almost always contain some ambiguities (some data may support and
some data may refute your hypothesis). Your conclusions do not
have to be completely positive or negative-they may reflect a
position in between.

3. Make sure that figures, tables, or diagrams are clearly labeled, an

often-overlooked aspect of good communication in writing reports.
4. Another common mistake that interferes with communication is to
write too much-without getting to the point. Before beginning to
write, decide what is most important to say, then express yourself
briefly and succinctly. Use the active voice and the first person ("I
found that...").

5. Do not wait until the last minute to write your laboratory report.
First, make a detailed outline and write a draft of your report. Let it
sit for a day or so, re-read it for clarity and make corrections, then
write the final copy. Have a friend read your first draft and make
suggestions. Always keep an extra copy of your report (and a backup
copy of your computer disk)-things do get lost! And turn in your
report on time.

6. You should write the Abstract last, after you have first written and
completed your report. Remember to keep your abstract short and
precise. Excess verbage will distract your reader from the intended
purpose of your paper.
A-6 Appendix 1: How to Write a Laboratory Report

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