Writing a Lab
The Components of a Lab
Writing a Lab
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Writing a lab requires you to record a series of things down before, during and after an
experiment/project is done.
 This PowerPoint is meant to guide you through the steps.
 A basic outline of each component
 As each component of a lab is covered an example will provided. This example will be
based on a simple experiment we will be conducting in class.
 A full example of the example lab available will also be covered in class before you get an
opportunity to write one of your own.
Statement of the Problem
The Purpose/Question
The Purpose of a lab is where you record what it is you are trying to determine, prove,
explore, etc.
* This should be done in one sentence
* Can be written as a question
E.g. To test whether or not water vapour (steam) can be condensed back into a liquid.
Hypothesis
An hypothesis is an Educated Guess as to what you think the outcome of your project
might be and WHY?
* This is not a question, but a statement that can be done in a few simple sentences.
* You DO NOT have to be correct, but you do try to guess correctly based on the
information you have available.
* Done before the experiment/project begins.
E.g. I believe that the steam will not condense back into a liquid when it hits the metal lid
because the lid will not be cold enough to cause a transformation of state.
Variables
Variables are things that can affect the outcome of a
test/project/experiment.
The three main types of variables are: Manipulated, Responding, and Controlled.
Manipulated - these are the parts of the experiment/test you are changing to
see if they are the cause of the experiment’s/test’s results
Responding – these are the parts of the experiment/test you are measuring &/or
recording
Controlled – these are the factors you are keeping the same to ensure they are
having no (or a consistent) effect on the experiment’s results
NOTE: There is another set of variables you need to be aware of called
uncontrolled. These are things outside your control that could have an effect
on the outcome of an experiment/test.
Variables Examples
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Controlled variables: The kettle used will boil water to a
consistent temperature each time. Leaving the frying pan lid
to cool for 10 minutes between trials (at room temperature)
we control the starting temperature of the lid. We can
control the room’s temperature.
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Independent variable: By placing the cooler lid into the
steam’s path we are trying to record whether or not we can
condense steam back into a liquid. The appearance of water
droplets (or a wet mist on the lid) will indicate a change of
state has occurred.
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Dependent variable: We are not measuring anything in this
experiment but we could analize this in the conclusions to
see if we could add a method for measuring results.
Uncontrolled Variables Example
Uncontrolled Variables:
- As we have a human hand holding the lid the angle it is held at and the
proximity to the kettle are not entirely consistent.
-The purity of the water has not been controlled.
** You could hypothesis here as to what effect if any this could have on
the results but this is not a necessary step. You could also do this in your
conclusions.**
Materials
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Type a detailed list of the items you needed to complete your
experiments.
Be specific about the amounts used.
Mr. Adams requires this to be done in a bulletin format.
If the materials are listed in a textbook/handbook you may refer
to it here as, “See page #” or attached the handout.
E.g. Materials
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- kettle
- water
- metal frying pan lid
- oven mitts
Procedure
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List all of the steps used in completing your experiment.
Remember to number your steps.
Add photos of your experiments.
If the procedure is mentioned in a textbook/handout you
may refer to it here as, “See page #” or attached the handout.
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NOTE: All the elements up until this point need to be done
BEFORE the experiment takes place.
Data/Observations
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It is easier to understand the data if it is put into a table or graph.
Create a graph in Microsoft Excel and import it here.
Make sure all data is clearly labelled and neatly displayed.
NOTE: Your observations should be thought out before the
experiment starts so that any charts/instruments/data recording
items needed will be ready to go.
Analysis
This is the section for finding out what happened. Here you
try to relate what happened and possibly why things happened.
This is also the section where you will answer questions
about the experiment , the data collected, or about interpreting your
results.
Keep it focussed and fully explain your thoughts.
Conclusion
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This is written as a small paragraph.
This paragraph will reflect back upon your hypothesis and purpose.
First state whether or not your hypothesis was correct.
Secondly, prove or disprove your purpose (or state the result of the experiment as it pertains
to the purpose).
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E.g. My hypothesis turned out to be incorrect as the steam did condense back into liquid.
The results showed, consistently, that a metal lid at room temperature was cool enough to
cause steam to lose enough heat energy to condense into a liquid.
Works Cited
Be sure to include print and electronic
sources and put them in alphabetical order.