Lab report sections

Question 1

Lab report order and sections

Answer 1

• The cover sheet
• Two single-sided pages or one double sided page in length. Sections included in the page count are:
  o Abstract, Introduction, Experimental, Results, Discussion, Conclusion and Bibliography
• The Appendix must include
  o the original EDF used in the lab, sample calculations, page 1 of the research article used and
  any graphs (required or optional)

Question 2

When are lab reports due

Answer 2

1 week after the lab

Question 3

Abstract

Answer 3

• specify the purpose of the experiment
• give a short description of the scientific principles involved
• indicate the experimental conditions
• state a single generalized conclusion for the experiment

The abstract is written in the third person and is in the form of two or three complete sentences with
about 50-75 well-chosen words.

Question 4

What should the abstract NOT include

Answer 4

The abstract should NOT include:
* raw data
* definitions
* operational details
* any form of calculations
* personal pronouns

Question 5

Introduction section

Answer 5

The introduction should:
* summary of previous work done on the subject, with references (in-text, ACS citations)
* goals of the project and importance
* hypothesis with expected results.
* mention the method used to determine the results

The introduction should NOT include:
* personal pronouns
The introduction should not exceed 150 words (1/4 page).

Question 6

Experimental section

Answer 6

• describe all experimental procedures, ie what was studied, under what
  conditions
• include enough information so another chemist can use your description to replicate the experiment
• refer to common procedures
  without having to provide details of the techniques, but you must specify their purpose

The experimental section is written in the third person and past tense, in the form of two or three
paragraphs with about 150 words.

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

• include the results of the experiment, that are tabulated
• tables should be labelled and referenced, eg Table 1, and include: a Title, column headings, units
• significant results should be written in words
  The results section should NOT include:
• the data collected in the lab

Question 8

Graphs

Answer 8

• graphs – if you wish to include a graph of your results as well as the tabulated results, these graphs
  should go in to an appendix. Make sure the graphs have a title, axes are labelled, units are included
  and the graph is scaled to fill the whole graphing area

Question 9

Discussion

Answer 9

present an analysis of your results. Think about the following questions:
o What do the results indicate?
o Do they make sense?
o Do the results agree with what others have found?
o Qualitative sources of error?
o Improvements
* purpose of the experiment?
* explain whether the results support the hypothesis

Question 10

Conclusion

Answer 10

• state the overall end result of the experiment
• the correlation between the results and hypothesis
• indicates whether or not the objectives of the study have been met
  The conclusion is written in the third person and is in the form of one or two complete sentences with
  about 50 words.

Question 11

Bibliography

Answer 11

ACS style: Author Last Name, Author Initials. Article Title. Journal Name Abbreviation Year, Issue, Start Page.