GENERAL LABORATORY NOTES
All laboratory reports will be neatly hand written or typed on 8-1/2” x 11” paper.
A one-inch left hand margin should be left on sheets of the report. The report must be
securely bounded by assigned formatted cover sheet.
The experiments are performed by groups of several students who share the
collected data. Each Lab. Partner must write her/his own report. The only part that is
allowed to be common is data. All other work must be done independently. “Working
together” does not mean the students to have identical or near identical reports. Identical
reports will each receive 50% of earned points.
Laboratory reports must be submitted at the beginning of the laboratory period
following the completion of the experiment unless otherwise specified. Two weeks will
be allowed per experiment.
The conduct, attitude, approach, and technique of the student in carrying out a
laboratory experiment will have a definite bearing on his/her final report grade.
Utmost precautions must be observed in the laboratory at all times.
The
instructor will give the safety precautions for the laboratory.
Care of Laboratory and Equipment
1. On completion of an experiment, each group or individual shall thoroughly clean and
dry all equipment used. The area in which the equipment was located must also be
left clean.
2. Clean, dry, and return all borrowed tools, and instruments.
3. Any breakage must be reported promptly.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LABORATORY REPORTS
The laboratory report must be written to conform to the outline listed below: under the
headings, and in the order listed.
1. Abstract
2. Purpose
3. Theory (Nothing else on this page)
4. Apparatus
5. Diagram of Apparatus (must cover an entire page)
6. Procedure
7. Data (Nothing else on this page)
8. Sample Calculations (Nothing else on this page)
9. Graphs (each graph must cover an entire page)
10. Results
11. Conclusions (Nothing else on this page)
12. Bibliography (Nothing else on this page)
13. Original Data Sheet (last page(s))
The report must be written in the past tense. The followings are the detailed instructions
for the above mention items;
Points
1. Abstract:
1
Write the abstract after completion of the entire report. This should include
the purpose of the experiment, essential conclusions with final results,
recommendations and applications. It should be a summary of the important
results; such that anyone reading the report would have a clear picture of what
the report contains. The abstract should be brief, covering not more than half
page.
2. Purpose:
0.5
Write a concise statement to present purpose and scope of experiment.
3. Theory:
1
A summary of the underlying principle on which the experiment is based
should be given. Necessary formulae must be presented without derivation.
4. Apparatus:
0.5
Mention all instruments and apparatus used in the experiment.
5. Diagram of Apparatus:
0.5
The diagram of apparatus need not be made to scale, but whenever possible,
each unit should be drawn in proportion to other units and proper standard
symbols used for instruments. Each piece of apparatus shown should be
properly labeled and identified. Strive for accuracy and neatness of
presentation. Diagram must be drawn with drafting tools.
6. Procedure:
0.5
Describe the steps performed in completing the experiment. Try to be concise.
7. Data:
0.5
All data taken from original data sheet should be tabulated neatly.
8. Sample Calculations:
1
All calculations should be shown. If the calculations are of repetitive nature,
only sample calculations should be given. Do not mix calculations with
Data” and/or “Results”. If graphs are to be plotted, make tables of (x,y)
values. A computer print out of (x,y) entries will be accepted.
9. Graphs:
1
Graphs are the essence of the work carried out on the table. Microsoft Excel
or other graphing computer softwares should be utilized for plotting graphs.
Each graph should cover an entire page and should include, title, axes labels,
axes units, and equation of the graph.
10. Results:
1.5
Perhaps this is the most important part of the report. Your results reflect the
proper understanding and execution of the experiment. Results should be
presented in a table. One of the columns will be assigned to the theoretical
or accepted values. A second column will represent your measured or
experimental values. Finally, a third column will show the percent error by
comparison of the theoretical and experimental values.
11. Conclusions:
1
A. An analysis and interpretentation of the results obtained, based on the
following suggested items: Discuss the results so that the reader has a
comprehensive understanding of the work.
1. Are results in agreement with theory?
2. Comparison with published results and reference source.
3. Probable deviations and reasons for errors.
B. A criticism of methods employed in the performance of the experiment.
C. A list of where the experiment can be applied in industry.
12. Bibliography:
0.5
Acknowledge each source used in writing the report. The following is the
sample bibliography presentation:
Olsen, John C. Unit Processes and Principles of Chemical Engineering,
1st Edition (vol. no.) pp. 71-86: D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., NY 1932.
13. Original Data Sheet:
0.5
The last page of the report should be the copy of the data taken in the lab.
including the list of equipment and instruments used in performing the
experiment.
Students should receive the instructor’s approval for the
collected data before leaving the lab. It is possible that some items might not
be utilized for certain experiments, therefore instructor applies his/her
discretion for grade breakdown. In planning and arranging your report, the
following items are important:
Clear Headings
Alignment of work
Orderly Arrangement
Uniformity in the size of letters,
Proper Margins
Symbols and Figures
Neatness
In industry second party will frequently check your work in order to avoid
possibilities of errors and subsequent costly mistakes. Also reports are filed
for future reference therefore, it is very important that all steps clearly be
shown for easy follow up which is crucial and time saver. Good planning and
arrangements are important aids to prepare a successful technical report.