Science Lab Reports
Teachers use a variety of different lab reports. The sections included may also vary.
Below are some recommendations in using Microsoft Word to complete a lab report.
General Tips
 Recommended Fonts: Times, Times New Roman, Arial
o Use no more than 2 fonts in the entire report. (If using two fonts
make one a serif <Times> and one sans serif <Arial>)
o For emphasis use bold or italics.
 Recommended Size: 12 point for body (Titles and heading may be larger)
 Recommended Color: Black
 Spacing and Format:
o MLA and APA guidelines call for double space but many teachers
prefer single space.
o Use the Header/Footer sections to add information and page numbers
 SAVE OFTEN
 Name the file a short name with no spaces (example: osmosis.doc) – some
teachers will want students to add last names or identifiers (example:
osmosis_perez.doc)
Section Generally
Found in Lab
Reports
Title or Title Page
Items to Include
Special Word Formatting
Tips
Title of the experiment (10
words or less)
If on a separate page
consider centering all items
and using a mix of
bold/regular/ italics to add
emphasis.
Instructor’s Name and class
Date
Introduction or
Purpose of Lab
Materials Used
Methods or
Procedures Used
Names of participants (First
and last names of all)
One paragraph to outline the
purpose of the lab. Includes
one sentence to state the
hypothesis
List of material used
Step by step description of
the process. Students may be
asked to note any safety
concerns, identify the
controls and variables
(dependent, independent,
If on the same page align left
Use a list (without or
without bullets)
Separate each step with a
space or use the numbered
list feature.
MLA guidelines call for
double space but many
Section Generally
Found in Lab
Reports
Data
Items to Include
Special Word Formatting
Tips
controlled), experimental
group, and control groups.
The numerical data gathered.
teachers prefer single space.
Use a table to display data.
To insert a table in a word
document choose Insert
from the Table Menu and
choose the correct number
of rows and columns
Results
Summary of what the
numerical data means (may
be combined with discussion)
Discussion/Analysis One or more paragraphs with
any calculations made and
interpretations of what the
calculations mean.
Conclusion
One paragraph that
summarizes the results.
For More Information
 Writing Science Reports (University of Wisconsin)
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ScienceReport.html
 Middle School Science Report (Harker Middle School)
http://faculty.harker.org/ScottKC/Course_Info/labreportformat.htm
 Lab Report Template (The Biology Corner) and grading rubric
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/labreport.html
 Lab Report Example
http://water.me.vccs.edu/report_example.htm
 Nonexample and Example
http://homepage.smc.edu/gallogly_ethan/sample_lab_reports.htm
 AP Biology
http://www.biologyjunction.com/sample%20ap%20lab%20reports.htm