Lab Reports for a Classroom Setting

The purpose of a lab report for a classroom is typically different than a lab report written for industry. A lab report written for academic reasons is usually to prove a theory or hypothesis. It does not meet a specific need, but it can answer a question.

Lab reports that are written in a classroom setting use the same compartments as industrial lab reports. However, sub-compartments from the industrial lab report become compartments.

The Summary can also be called "Abstract." It contains a brief description of the purpose or objective, the major findings, and what was determined from them.

The Background compartment becomes the "Objective" or "Purpose" compartment. This is because most lab reports done in a classroom setting have a theory or hypothesis to prove or disprove.This compartment can contain background information, but it always contains more detailed information about the purpose or objective.

Equipment Setup lists all equipment and materials used for the test. It can also contain illustrations of how the pieces of equipment are connected.

The Method compartment details each test, just as the Test Method sub-compartment for industrial lab reports.

The Results compartment tells the results or findings.

The Analysis compartment gives a detailed analysis of the results or findings, as well as implications and what can be learned from the results.

The Outcome – or Conclusions -- compartment tells how the tests, findings, and analysis met the objective that's listed in the Background compartment.

The Evidence compartment becomes the Data compartment. It contains attachments. The attachments are data gathered during the test, such as calculations, measurements, weights, etc. Any long lists, detailed procedures, or lengthy processes should also be included as attachments.

The organization of a lab report for a classroom setting may look like this:

Section Review 2

Below are excerpted paragraphs from a draft of an academic lab report. Read the paragraph, then choose the compartment in which the paragraph belongs.

The experiment was performed using four eggs purchased from the grocery store on the day of the testing. The eggs were hard boiled for 10 minutes. After cooling for 15 minutes in a pot of cold water, each egg was dropped in an 8-ounce glass. Tap water and white vinegar were added to the glasses before the addition of the eggs.

___Abstract

___Purpose

___Equipment Setup

___Method

___ Conclusions

We tested a cup of water with 1/8 teaspoon of vinegar…

___Abstract

___Purpose

___Equipment Setup

___Method

___ Conclusions

…A more saturated color is achieved using half water and half vinegar because there is more hydrogen bonding, but the extra acid caused splotching on the eggs. A teaspoon of vinegar per half cup of water achieves a smooth, consistent color on dyed eggs…

___Abstract

___Equipment Setup

___Method

___ Conclusions

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