Integrated

 Science  Lab  Report  Format  

 
  A  well-­‐structured  lab  report  is  important  for  displaying  lab  information,  
understanding  the  experiments  performed,  and  proving  that  proper  scientific  
techniques  were  used.  Scientists  write  lab  reports  so  that  the  uninformed  reader  
can  understand  the  entire  experiment.  There  are  many  ways  of  writing  up  a  
scientific  lab  report,  but  I  require  the  format  below.  Use  this  as  a  guideline  for  all  
formal  lab  reports.  Spelling  and  grammar  will  count  so  be  sure  to  proofread!!!  
*The  report  should  be  TYPED  in  12  point  Times  New  Roman  font,  double  spaced  
with  1”  margins.  It  should  also  include  a  clear  heading  with  your  name,  class  
(Integrated  Science),  block,  and  date.    Label  your  sections  with  the  following  bold  
headings:  
 
I. Problem  Statement:  the  question  you  are  trying  to  answer  
• This  should  be  one  sentence  long  and  stated  as  a  question.  
II. Purpose:  this  should  be  2  paragraphs  in  length  and  should  describe  as  well  as  
give  background  information  to  the  experiment.  Someone  reading  this  section  
should  be  able  to  understand  your  experiment’s  background  and  objective  without  
any  prior  knowledge  of  what  you  did.  The  purpose  should  include:  
• The  purpose  of  the  experiment  (What  are  you  trying  to  find  out?)  
• A  brief  overview  of  the  experiment  (What  are  you  going  to  do?)  
• Scientific  concepts  essential  for  understanding  the  experiment.  
• You  need  to  use  at  least  one  reputable  source  to  help  you  write  about  the  
scientific  concepts.  This  source  should  be  cited  on  a  works  cited  page  at  the  
end  of  the  report.  
III. Hypothesis:  a  statement  of  your  educated  guess  as  to  the  results  of  the  
experiment.  
• This  must  be  one  “If…  then…  because”  statement.  
• Provide  the  scientific  reasoning  for  the  hypothesis  (because…)  
IV.  Variables:  
• Independent  Variable:  Identify  the  variable  that  you  manipulated  or  changed.  
• Dependent  Variable:  Identify  the  variable  that  you  measured.  
• Control  Group:  Identify  the  group  that  you  used  as  a  basis  for  comparison.  
• Factors  Held  Constant:  Items  that  you  held  constant  throughout  the  
experiment  (Ex.,  sample  size,  amount  of  time  each  trial  was  run)  
V. Materials:  an  item-­‐by-­‐item  list  of  ALL  equipment  used  in  the  experiment.  
• This  should  be  a  simple  but  complete  list  
• Make  sure  that  the  quantity  and  size  of  each  item  is  listed.  
VI. Procedure:  step  by  step  instructions  to  explain  exactly  how  the  experiment  was  
performed.  
• The  key  here  is  to  make  sure  that  someone  with  no  idea  how  the  experiment  
was  performed  could  replicate  it  exactly.  
• This  should  be  numbered  step  by  step.  
• This  should  be  written  in  complete  sentences  and  passive  voice.  (DO  NOT  say  
he,  she,  I,  we,  they,  or  you!)  
VII. Results:  this  is  where  you  show  the  results  of  your  experiment.  
• There  should  be  at  least  one  table  and  one  graph,  unless  otherwise  stated.  
• There  should  be  no  writing  in  this  section.  Data  presentation  only.  
• Make  sure  all  tables  and  graphs  have  appropriate  titles,  labels,  and  units.  
VIII. Discussion:  this  is  the  longest  section  of  your  report  (bare  minimum  of  one  
page).  It  is  essential  that  this  portion  of  the  lab  is  well  organized,  flows  
smoothly  and  sounds  persuasive.  It  should  cover  the  following:  
• Pertinent  observations  while  performing  the  lab.  
• A  full  explanation  of  the  data  and  results  section.    
• The  conclusion  and  how  your  hypothesis  relates  to  the  conclusion.  
• What  the  results/conclusion  tell  the  reader.  
• Sources  of  error  and  how  the  experiment  could  have  been  performed  better.  
• Other  experiments  that  could  be  performed  which  relate  to  your  experiment  
for  further  insight  into  your  conclusions.  Might  you  test  a  different  variable  in  
the  future?  
 
Lab  Report  Rubric  
Points   Points  
Lab  Section   Comments  
Possible   Earned  
Problem  
2      
Statement  
Purpose   12      

Hypothesis   3      

Variables   5      

Materials   3      

Procedure   7      

Results   12      

Discussion   20      

Presentation   11      

Performance   25      

Total  Points   100