The Lab Report Checklist

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The Lab Report Checklist

Part 2: Writing and Revising a Lab Report, KU Writing Center

This checklist was drawn heavily from Hamilton College students Danielle Sclafani andStephanie Anglin

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The Psychology Lab Checklist

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and North Carolina State University

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sLabWrite

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Lab Checklist: Self Guide.

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Please see the Reference Page below for details.

Title Page

Describes the content and background of the lab report concisely and accuratelyThe title of the lab report contains the relationship between the independent and dependentvariables (usually no more than 12-15 words)

Abstract

Summarizes the essence of each section within the lab report in a sentence or twoArranges sentences in the order the lab report is presentedTypically 200 words or less (stays within maximum words allowed)

Introduction

Begins with an intro to the scientific concept the lab is about and then describes what thescientist-writer knows about the concept as it pertains to the specific experiment/lab (typicallyone paragraph)In one sentence, the scientist-writer establishes the main lab objective(s) and then explains howthese objectives will help the observer learn about the scientific concepts (typically oneparagraph)States a testable hypothesis with careful attention to how the scientist-writer arrived at thehypothesis and how the scientific concept or basis of the lab served as a springboard for yourreasoning (typically one to two paragraphs)

Methods

Brief, easy to follow steps of the specific procedures used within the labEnough details concerning equipment and procedures used so an outside party could replicatethe experiment easily and exactly

Results

Describes the results of the study, but does not yet explain them (that

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s for the discussionsection!)Begin with a sentence or two describing the overall findings of the labContains visuals (tables or graphs or other figures) that are appropriate to the data and arearranged in an order that best tells the "story" of the dataConsists of a paragraph for each visual and structures each paragraph by (1) summarizing in asentence or two the overall trend shown in that visual and then (2) supporting the summary byincluding any specific details from the visual that are important for understanding the resultsClearly refers to the appropriate visuals in the paragraphs (Table 1, Figure 2, etc.)

Discussion

Begin with a statement of whether or not the overall results support, do not support, or supportto some extent my original hypothesis (in the Introduction)Points to specific data from the findings as evidence for deciding whether or not the hypothesisis supportedUses what I have learned about the scientific concept of the lab to explain in a convincing waywhy or why not the data support my hypothesisAddresses other issues that may be appropriate, such as (1) any problems that occurred orsources of uncertainty in the lab procedure; (2) how the findings compare to the findings of other students in the lab and an explanation for any differences; (3) suggestions for improvingthe lab

Conclusion

Directly states what scientist-writer has learned about the scientific concept of the lab fromdoing the experimental procedureGives enough details of what scientist-writer has learned to be convincingDescribes anything else scientist-writer may have learned from doing the lab and writing thereport (something about the lab procedure, methods of analyzing data, etc.).

References

Includes all the sources I have used in writing my lab report, such as the lab manual, thetextbook, and any reference books or articles I cited.Uses the appropriate APA documentation style for citations and references

Overall

Uses the correct format (titles, captions, etc.) for the tables, graphs, and drawingsWritten in a scientific tone

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objective third person, past tense, active voice, and sentencesshould be concise and accurateClear of spelling and grammatical errors. Proofread, please.Includes all the necessary headings (each section of the report should have a heading)

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