MiniLab Format
Save early, save often; and not just the report but also the experimental data to a personal flash drive.
Do not save to the desktop.
Header
Lab Title, Lab number, the group members’ names, the date, the course number and section.
Abstract (Write this part last)
Summarize the goal/hypothesis, the procedure and the conclusion. Write this like you are doing your
own investigation, NOT like you are doing an assignment. This should be detailed enough that I don’t
have to read any further to understand what you did. However, it also shouldn’t be cluttered with
specific steps.
Introduction
Explain the motivation, definitions, assumptions, the equipment/set up of the lab, equations and
theories used. Explain why you made the measurements you did and why you made the
calculations/graphs you did.
Procedure
This must be detailed enough that someone could walk into the same lab you did and use your
procedure to duplicate your results. Feel free to include diagrams of the experimental set up. To make
your life easier use a numeric list, for example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Record the total volume of reagent you have.
Add 1 drop of reagent to the analyte of unknown concentration.
Stir the analyte and record any observations.
Repeat steps 1-3 until the analyte changes color.
Record the volume of reagent you have left.
Data
The raw data measured and any calculated values in tables with UNITS.
This is also where you put graphs (scatter plot), with trend lines and UNITS.
Label tables and graphs with titles and descriptions.
Tables should be labeled above the table. “Table #: Description of the table headings”
Figures (graphs) should be labeled below the table. “Figure #: Description of the symbols used”
Tables/Figures and their descriptions should be “self-contained” i.e. if I skip directly to the figure
without reading any other part of your lab I should still be able to understand what it is telling me. Labs
should also be “complete” without figures and tables as changing computer systems sometimes causes
tables/figures to be incorrectly displayed.
Analysis
This is where you explain to the reader what the data means. Use your knowledge of physics to interpret
the data. Everything in here should be deductive. (e.g. We know that the slope of a Velocity vs Time
graph is the acceleration of the object. Our slope is positive so the object is accelerating in the positive
direction.)
Conclusion
Draw a conclusion FROM THE DATA and use the data to support the conclusion. You can also use the
error calculation to support your conclusion. It is OK if your data refutes your hypothesis or defies
physics. Tell me what THE DATA suggests, and then explain why or why not you believe it is correct. This
is also where you talk about possible future work / improvements.
Data supports the theory/prediction/hypothesis IF AND ONLY IF the discrepancy between the
experimental and predicted values can be explained by the uncertainty in your measurements. Make
sure you state whether or not the data agrees/disagrees with the hypothesis.
E.g. if Exp – Uncertainty < Predicted < Exp + Uncertainty
Error Calculations and Sources of Error
This varies from lab to lab, but typically we will use
Measured Value – Accepted Value *100 = %Error
Accepted Value
Also, when you list something as a source of error you should explain HOW/WHY a source of error
would influence the experiment (ex: air resistance would slow down the cart)