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In order to design a scientific experiment, you need a clear idea of what you want to investigate, how you are going to investigate, what you will be measuring, in essence, what you are going to do and how you plan to do it. The following table breaks the “formal lab report” down into its sections and explains what step of the experimental process fits in each.
Part of Lab Report Example
Purpose
Description of what it should entail
Clearly defined and focused question that lab is trying to answer
Hypothesis
Variables
Statement of expected results with brief explanation
Independent – what you are changing
Dependent – what you are measuring
Controlled – anything you have to keep the same so you can say changes in your dependent are because of what you did to your independent variable
To determine the effects of varying amounts of acid on the growth of stems in Yellow Clintonia
( Clintonia borealis ) plants.
It is expected that with increasing acid concentration, the growth of the shoots will decline. This is because Clintonia borealis grows best in neutral soil and any change from this acidity will negatively impact growth.
Acid concentration
Growth of stems
Amount of sunlight
Amount of water
Temperature
Length of time subject to acid
Size of potting container
Type of soil
Materials and Apparatus List of materials and apparatus used in the lab
Method/Procedure Numbered steps outlining how lab was conducted. Written in past, passive, impersonal tense.
Observations
Data Analysis
Results and Discussion
Data collection charts/tables
Includes any calculations that need to be performed on the raw data.
Only one sample of each type of calculation is required.
A description of results (e.g. trends) and comparison with expectations based on prior investigations or on literature
Evaluation and
Modifications
Literature Cited
An overall assessment of procedure and suggestions for how to improve it if you were to do lab again
List of literature used (use APA style to reference)

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D ESIGN
Complete (2)
Partial (1)
Defining the problem and selecting variables
A focused research question or problem is presented
Identifies relevant variables
Research question is incomplete OR
Only some relevant variables identified
Controlling variables
Designs a method for the effective control of the variables
Designs a method that makes some attempt to control variables
Not Done (0) No research question AND
No relevant variables identified
D ATA C OLLECTION AND P ROCESSING
Complete (2)
Partial (1)
Not Done (0)
Recording raw data
Records appropriate quantitative and associated qualitative raw data, including units
Records appropriate qualitative and associated qualitative data, but with some mistakes or omissions
Does not record any appropriate quantitative data OR raw data is incomprehensible
Designs a method that does not control the variables
Processing raw data
Processes quantitative raw data correctly
Processes quantitative raw data, but with some mistakes and/or omissions
No processing of quantitative raw data is carried our
OR major mistakes are made in processing
C ONCLUSION AND E VALUATION
Concluding
Complete (2)
Partial (1)
Not Done (0)
States a conclusion, with justification, based on a reasonable interpretation of the data
States a conclusion based on a reasonable interpretation of the data (no justification)
States no conclusion
OR conclusion is based on unreasonable interpretation of data
Evaluating procedures
Evaluations weaknesses and limitations
Identifies some weaknesses and limitations, but the evaluation is weak or missing
Identifies irrelevant weaknesses and limitations
Developing a method for collection of data
Develops a method that allows for the collection of sufficient relevant data
Develops a method that allows for the collection of insufficient relevant data
Develops a method that does not allow for any relevant data to be collected
Total
Presenting raw data
Presents processed data appropriately, and includes where relevant, uncertainties
Presents processed data appropriately, but with some mistakes and/or omissions
Presents processed data inappropriately
OR incomprehensibly
Improving the investigation
Suggests realistic improvements in respect of identified weaknesses and limitations
Suggests only superficial improvements
Suggests unrealistic improvements
Total
Total
/6
/6
/6

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In this lab, you will design, plan and carry out an investigation to determine the physical and chemical properties of some common, “every-day” substances. You will then determine which of these properties are best for identifying unknown substances. You and a partner will be given six unknown substances by your teacher. With your partner, you will develop a research question (purpose) a hypothesis and identify your variables. You will then identify materials you need and plan a procedure to identify four physical properties and two chemical properties of each substance. You must choose properties that are listed in the table below (Table 1). You will also prepare a data table in which to record your observations. You will hand this in and this will be marked, with comments, by your teacher. You will then incorporate teacher suggestions into your lab. Next, you will conduct this lab and collect the necessary data (don’t forget to think about both quantitative and qualitative data!). Individually, you will analyze your data and using this analysis, you will discuss the overall conclusion to your lab. Finally, you will evaluate the effectiveness of your lab (what worked, what didn’t) and suggest any modifications to improve this lab (what would you change and how if you had it to do again).
Table 2 summarizes the components of this lab assignment, including due dates.
Table 1: List of physical and chemical properties available for use in this lab. Your group should choose four physical properties and two chemical properties.
Physical Properties (Choose 4) Chemical Properties (Choose 2)
T ABLE 2: S UMMARY OF AND D UE D ATES FOR A SSIGNMENT C OMPONENTS
C OMPONENT
Planning Lab
E XPLANATION
This should include the following:

Purpose (research question)

Hypothesis

Variables

Materials

Method

Data Collection Table
D UE DATE
, 2009
, 2009
(you will get a half period each of these days to plan with your partner)
Due , 2009
Lab Investigation
Final (and full) Lab Report
This will be a full period in which you will conduct your planned lab.
This should include all the components from the Planning
Lab* as well as:

Observations
(Completed data table(s))

Data Analysis

Results and Discussion
*You may modify your Planning
Lab from the original you handed in.
, 2009
, 2009
S OME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AS YOU PLAN , CONDUCT AND ANALYZE YOUR LAB
…..
Planning

Be sure to list all appropriate variables

Make sure your data table contains enough headings to keep your data well organized.

Conducting

Make sure you complete your tests exactly as you planned them. Do not add any additional steps without getting your teacher’s approval.

Make complete notes for each test, For some tests, you will need to include descriptions (e.g. colour), or yes/no answers, or ratings (e.g. hardness), or quantitative data
Analysis and Interpretation

Examine your observations. Look for patterns you can use to group the substances, according to common physical and/or chemic al properties.

Analyze your observations to determine if there are certain properties that seem to distinguish one substance from the others. For some substances, it may be one particular property. For others, it may be a combination of properties.