If you’ve done a laboratory experiment as part of your studies, you might need to write up a report afterwards. But what should a lab report include?
The exact answer will depend on what and where you are studying, so make sure to check your style guide if you have one. But most lab reports have a similar basic structure, which is usually something like this:
Now, let’s look at each section in a bit more detail.
In your introduction, give some context for your experiment, such as:
Don’t forget to cite sources if your work builds on previous research.
Next, you’ll need to describe how you conducted the experiment. And this means setting out the materials and methods used:
In both cases, your descriptions should be detailed. Ideally, a stranger should be able to repeat your experiment based on the information you provide.
Once you’ve described what you did, it’s time to show off the data you obtained. This should be a combination of:
Stick to the facts here, such as observable statistics and trends. You’ll be able to discuss the significance of the results in the next section.
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Here, you cover what you’ve learned by answering the following questions:
In other words, this is where you look at the data in the context of your research as a whole, including the significance and reliability of your results.
The conclusion of a lab report is typically quite short (a paragraph or two). Use it to give a brief recap of your main findings. After this, you should highlight any practical or theoretical implications of your results.
Finally, list the details of any previous research that your work was based on and any other publications or sources that you’ve referred to in your report.
This will usually involve following a specific referencing system, so check your style guide or ask a lecturer to make sure you know which one to use.
The structure above covers the key details you’ll need in a lab report. However, the exact structure may vary (e.g., some schools and colleges prefer students to have separate materials and methods sections), so make sure to follow your style guide when writing up research.
And for help checking your academic writing, you can upload your lab report to our proofreading service. Our expert editors will ensure it is clear, concise, and error free, from the introduction to the reference list.
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