Time to Report
During an experiment, a lot of data is collected and must be analyzed. Everything should be recorded. This is where the science lab report comes in handy. Lab reports are used to record each step of an experiment. Let's review the lab report we will use in this course.
Science Lab Report Sections
Instructions: Be sure to use complete sentences and review the grading rubric before you begin. You will submit your completed lab report, but only need to include the sections that are graded on the rubric. Below are explanations for all sections of the report that you might be graded on.
Title:
Objective(s):
Hypothesis:
Variables:
List the following variables in your experiment
Data:
During an experiment, a lot of data is collected and must be analyzed. Everything should be recorded. This is where the science lab report comes in handy. Lab reports are used to record each step of an experiment. Let's review the lab report we will use in this course.
Science Lab Report Sections
Instructions: Be sure to use complete sentences and review the grading rubric before you begin. You will submit your completed lab report, but only need to include the sections that are graded on the rubric. Below are explanations for all sections of the report that you might be graded on.
Title:
- Include your name, instructor's name, date, and name of lab.
- The title should relate to the topic of the research.
Objective(s):
- In your own words, what was the purpose of this lab?
- The objective should be the question that is being investigated.
Hypothesis:
- In this section, include the prediction statements for your lab. These statements reflect your predicted outcomes for the experiment.
- The hypothesis should be a tentative explanation of the outcome of the experiment. It should be supported by the background research or knowledge of the topic.
- It should explain the predicted relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Variables:
List the following variables in your experiment
- Independent Variable – this is the manipulated or tested variable. It is what the experimenter is changing
- Dependent Variable – this is the measured variable, it is dependent on the changes to the independent and is what you measured
- Controlled or Constant Variable(s) - these variables are kept the same throughout the experiment
- In your own words, summarize the steps you took to complete your lab.
- The procedures section should include a materials list and a numbered list of steps needed to conduct the experiment.
Data:
- Data tables should be included in this section.
- The data section should include data tables to record observations and measurements. See the example below.
- If calculations are done in a data table ALL work should be shown for those calculations
Analysis
Reflection Questions
- What does your data tell you about your variables? In order to determine this you should graph your data if possible. In physics this section is expected.
- Graphs can often show patterns in data that tables cannot. Inferences from the patterns can help formulate a conclusion. The relationship between independent and dependent variables should be discussed (linear, direct, inverse, positive, negative, exponential, hyperbolic etc.)
- Your conclusion will include a summary and an interpretation of the data results. It should be written in paragraph form
- In any well written conclusion the following should be included
- Restatement of the purpose
- Restatement of the hypothesis
- The conclusion should interpret the results of the experiment and address if these results support your hypothesis.
- You should use the phrases "results support" or "results do not support" when describing the reasoning behind a conclusion and refer to specific data collected. Do not use the word "prove"
- Error analysis if applicable
- New questions that have arisen/future steps
Reflection Questions
- Include the answers to any reflection questions here. You should paraphrase the questions in your answer, but it is not necessary to include the question itself. This is separate from your conclusion above.