Use your data to write a formal lab report according to the format and description found in the “Writing a Lab Report” lesson. Examples are linked in the Lesson Toolbox as well. The title should describe the experiment in ten words or fewer.
The abstract should be complete, thorough, and address the following in one paragraph:
objective and scope/hypothesis;
summary of methodology;
data summary;
conclusions.
The introduction briefly describes the foundational concepts used in the experiment. The introduction also provides a clear sense of the experiment’s importance. Background information may include a summary of relevant scientists and their theories. If information is researched, proper citations in APA format with in-text citations are necessary. This section should be one or two paragraphs.
The materials and methods section includes a list of tools and materials used. The methods should be written out in paragraph form. Make sure to include enough details so that someone could replicate the work based on this section.
The results section presents the raw data from the assignment in a table and in a graph created with Excel, Google Sheets, or a similar program. Include the data’s units and a clear written description of the controls. For help with Excel, see https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-build-excel-graph.
The discussion section explains and elaborates on the results. If unexpected results were obtained, then explain them and identify any possible confounding variables. Address the following questions:
What trends do the graphs show?
Are there any negligible factors that may affect the results if the experiment was performed in the real world?
The conclusion section is based on evidence obtained throughout the experiment. The conclusion summarizes the study’s purpose and results and is used to persuade the audience of the work’s significance. Explain why you accepted or rejected your hypothesis using data from the experiment, and include a brief summary of the data, where necessary, to help the reader understand the results and conclusions.
Self-Evaluation
Self-evaluation is an important skill to learn in your everyday life. No level of personal growth comes without understanding how to first self-evaluate. In every assignment you do, be it for this course or any other, you should be self-evaluating your work. Use the list below to double-check your work before submitting. Review Your Formatting – Go back and review the “Writing a Lab Report” lesson in Module 1 to evaluate the formatting on your assignment. Review the “Resources” tab to ensure you are using best practices and adhering to the guidelines presented. Check the Criteria – Print out the rubric for this assignment, and read through your work carefully. A good practice is to grade yourself using the rubric to ensure you’ve executed all assignment expectations. Get a Fresh Perspective (If Available) – Give your assignment to someone else who can critically evaluate it. Make sure to provide them with the assignment description and the rubric (if available). After they have graded your work, discuss their perspective and see if there is room for improvement