Technical Report Guideline
The technical report format is applicable to most of the Industrials Systems Engineering Labs.
Most technical reports are written in third person, passive voice. A technical report will relay
information to the reader in an objective, fact-based manner that ensures technical information
and processes be presented to the reader in a clear and efficient manner.
Plagiarism is not tolerated. A high percentage of plagiarism may result in a grade of “0”.
All lab reports in most ISE Labs are to be organized as follows:
1. Title page
2. Table of contents
3. List of Figures
4. List of Tables
5. Introduction
6. Equipment list
7. Procedure
8. Safety
9. Data/Calculations/Results
10. Discussion
11. Conclusion and Recommendations
12. Appendices
13. References
Title Page: The title page is provided in the 241 Lab URcourses in word format. Make sure the title page is
complete.
Table of Contents – Lists the major and minor subheadings used in the report. Each section heading must have
page numbers. List of figures and tables
List of Figures: This section will have the figure number with the caption as well as the page number the figure
appears on. The caption on a figure is located at the bottom of the figure.
List of Tables: This section will have the Table number with the caption as well as the page number the Table
appears on. The caption for the table is located at the top of the table.
Introduction: A more detailed description of why the tests/experiments were performed. Background
information may be needed to provide necessary concepts that where applied in the test or procedure to obtain
your results. This may include mathematical equations or scientific equations which governs the work to be
carried out. The purpose here is to allow the reader to quickly determine what is inside the report and why it was
completed.
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Lab report format ISERev5
Revised: 3 May 2024
Equipment List: A complete list the equipment and materials required to complete the lab.
Procedure: - Describes your test procedure and equipment used. It should be complete enough so that another
professional competent in your field could repeat your work with no other reference source. A step by step format
can be used for easier reading. (DO NOT copy the procedure from the lab document if one is provided, it must be
in your words).
Safety: This should be included in ALL reports, depending on the lab test/experiment. Study/research the
equipment being used and discuss the required safety equipment and procedure that needs to be followed.
Data/Calculations/Results: Present your raw data as tables. Calculations are used to show how the data is used
to obtain the results and findings of the experiment. At least one calculation per equation is required. If you are
using a spread sheet, even a simple division in one cell will need to be shown to verify the spread sheet data is
correct. The calculated data can then be placed into tables or figures and placed in the Results and discussion
section of the report. For the equations always use the equation editor in your word processing package.
Equations should also be numbered (If they come from a book they should also be referenced).
Discussion: The most important part of the report. What do the calculations show? What are the findings and
the significance of the results? Describe your data analysis methods, and assumptions made in that the analysis
and provide references for any non-standard element of theory or procedure used which was not reported
elsewhere. Each of the tables and figures created should be referenced and fully explained and interpreted.
Sources of errors need to be explained and interpreted on how they occurred and how they affect the conclusion.
Error analysis may be used to compare the data to expected results. Make sure to draw on the knowledge gained
to fully discuss the results and conclusions that can be drawn from the calculated data.
Conclusions (and Recommendations): A brief statement, describing how the test/experimental results, findings,
and analysis meet the objective(s)/purpose established at the start of the report. This should contain no new
information or discussion. Recommendations will depend on the nature of the report, it can propose actions
based on the findings or propose new work or changes to equipment.
Appendix - These are pages containing data derived during the test(s), such as detailed calculations,
measurements, weights and stresses. Original raw data can be placed in this part of the report.
References: All references cited in the report should be listed in the order of appearance. When citing referenced
material use the APA format.
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Lab report format ISERev5
Revised: 3 May 2024
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