Seth Said:

How do I write a formal lab report?

We Answered:

first, you need to have a title. then, write the intro. this should consist of the purpose of the experiment, background info, hypothesis, potential error, and application. then comes the methods/materials. include the entire procedure, step by step. or if you have a packet that you did the work on, write, "refer to pg #..."and so on. then write the data/analysis part. include any tables, charts, and graphs that you ave. then the conclusion. support or refute the hypothesis and explain why and how, use numbers, actual error and source, and a discussion. hope i was of any help. good luck...=]

Charles Said:

whats the best way to write a formal lab report??

We Answered:

http://www.physics.pomona.edu/sixideas/l…
http://water.me.vccs.edu/reports.htm
http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/
http://www.dbooth.net/mhs/common/labrepo…

Stephen Said:

How can I write a formal lab report for university chemistry?

We Answered:

I took several chemistry courses- freshman, quant, organic, and biochemistry- and most if not all of my professors required a certain format. It consisted of the following:

Abstract: ~250 words which includes the four parts below, including your findings- even if the findings are way off.

Introduction or Background: Brief background that includes any equations or theories from the experiment in question. It should end with a hypothesis.

Materials and Methods: The steps and materials that you followed and used to conduct the experiment.

Results: Any data- raw or final that you accumulated. Use this section to demonstrate how you used the equations or theories you wrote about in the introduction. Include tables, drawings, pictures, etc.

Conclusion/Discussion: Relate to the introduction and theories or equations and how these helped you to get your results. If your results are different than expected, explain why this may be so (a mistake during the methods, the wrong reagent, temperature...) Finally, end by saying what you would different to make the experiment better or perhaps you don't need to change anything. If your experiment came out well, then end by saying that so and how the principle discussed in your intro helped you demonstrate this.

References: Text, websites, journal articles that you used in any of these sections.

You may want to ask your professor or one of his/her previous students to show you an sample of a formal lab report. Don't forget a cover page with the experiment's name, date and your name. You should include the names of any lab partners.