How Do you Write a Lab Report
1. Lab reports are commonly written in the 3rd person passive voice.
2. Write complete sentences.
•
“We did…” is not the common format. Correct examples of 3rd person passive
voice are
“The molar mass of an unidentified solute was determined using
the change in freezing point of a solution containing the unknown
solute. Based on the calculated molar mass and the empirical
formula of the compound the molecular formula and identity of the
solute was determined” is correct format
”The experimental data showed that the freezing point decreased
by 3.5oC when 0.2568 g of solute was added to cyclohexane.
The molar mass based on the freezing point depression was 136
g/mol (average of 2 experiments)” Etc.
Write complete, grammatically correct sentences with correct spelling!
Writing Lab Reports
• Typed or hand-written (must be readable)
• References as footnotes, or at the end as
“References” (or “Literature Cited”) section
• Use impersonal style
•
•
•
•
Twelve mls of water were added to…
The mixture was boiled for 10 minutes on an electric heater
It was determined…
It was concluded…
– Scientific literature will give you good examples of this
style
Writing Lab Reports
Colloquial
“We had our first chemistry lab today and learned about safety,
and did a safety quiz. I thought it was cool, and I am looking
forward to learning more”
Text
lab 2dy lrnd safeT qz cool
Tweet
“1st lab today, learned safety, did quiz; cool”
Scientific, objective reporting
During the first chemistry lab safety aspects of working in a
chemistry lab were discussed. Knowledge of laboratory safety
was assessed by a multiple-choice quiz at the end of the lab
period.
Full Lab Reports (60 Points)
1. Title of the experiment
and name(s) of experimenter(s)
1. Aim or Purpose (5 points)
•
Max 2-3 sentences
2. Procedure (5 points)
•
Summary of method, bulleted or paragraph
3. Chemicals used in experiments (5 points)
4. Observation / Results (15 points)
5. Calculations (10 points)
6. Postlab Questions (10 points) from Lab textbook
7. Discussion/Analysis: Critical thinking: (10 points)
The completed lab report is due in next lab after the completion of the lab.
Late submission will result in deduction of 2 points per day late. NO
submission of lab report translates to zero grade, even if you have
attended the lab.
Lab Reports
– Staple all materials together
– Result sheets from lab manual
– Assigned postlab questions
– Data sheets and calculations
– Correct grammar, spelling, organization, and neatness will
factor in the grade for the report