HOW TO WRITE A GOOD LAB REPORT

The Sections:
Statement of Purpose
Balanced Equations / Sample Calculations
Data / Graphs
Results / Discussion

1)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

This is an outline of the experiment. It should clearly state the goals of the
experiment and the method(s) to be employed. It should not go into much detail
of the procedure or contain any type of lengthy discussion about the goals or
techniques.
Example: This week we will determine the Fe content in an unknown vitamin
tablet using UV/Vis spectroscopy.

2)

BALANCED EQUATIONS / SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Balanced equations are an essential part of chemistry to concisely explain

the chemicals being used and the amount of each. When known, a balanced
equation of the reaction taking place is a vital piece of the lab report and should
be included.
Example: HCl + NaOH H2O + NaCl
Samples of lab calculations are required to show how you determined the
results of the experiment and that you have learned to use the calculations that
chemists use on an everyday basis. This section should be typed. The best
methods to achieve this are to use Microsoft Equation Editor or MathCAD. More
Created by Conrad T. Pfeiffer, Graduate Student, Temple University, June 10th 2014

information on both of these programs can be found at

www.ele.uri.edu/Courses/ele343/tutorials/word.equations/wordequations.html
and http://cims.clayton.edu/nborchelt/mcdtut.htm respectively. Make sure to
always label units, equations, and answers.
Example:

3)

Determination of grams:

10mole 1000mL 26.16 grams

520 grams
500mL
1L
1mole

DATA / GRAPHS

This section should present all your relevant data in a clear and concise
method. Use tables whenever possible. Make sure to label all tables and include
units.
Example:
Trial

Amount of
KHP(grams)

Amount of KHP
(moles)

Amount of NaOH
(mL)

.1011

.000495

23.32

.1003

.000491

25.11

All graphs should be created using Microsoft Excel. For more information
on how to use Excel refer to
http://www.usd.edu/trio/tut/excel/.
Make sure to label the axis on the
graph. If there is more than one data
series on a graph make sure you have
a key. Always include a trend line and
equation and R2 value for the trend
line.
4)

RESULTS / DISCUSSION

Created by Conrad T. Pfeiffer, Graduate Student, Temple University, June 10th 2014

This is the conclusion of the experiment. It should begin with a statement

of results. Also, there should be a statement that reflects the goals from your
statement of purpose and if they were accomplished or not. Your data and results
should be discussed to answer the following: Why did my results turn out this way?
What errors could have affected my data? What was any new technique(s),
instrumentation, chemical processes, etc. and what did I learn from them? Why is
this experiment important and what does it teach? Also, include any other
relevant discussion you feel is important to the experiment or to what you
learned. Do not recap the procedure of the experiment. However, it is ok to use
specific procedural examples when discussing error. Make statements and then
back them up using data and information. No sentence should start with I
think, I believe, I assume or anything else like that. Be professional in your
grammar and use scientific vocabulary. Cite any outside sources of information
that you use.
**Note: In the example below the numbers have been made up and therefore are
completely inaccurate when compared to each other. Also, this does not provide
an example of every type of discussion that can occur in other types of labs.
Finally, the lab I am using as an example is straightforward and therefore will have
a shorter Results / Discussion section then other lab reports.
Example: A standardized NaOH solution was determined to have a concentration
of .1011M. The standard deviation was calculated to be .00043 and the relative
standard deviation was .04%. A relative standard deviation less than 1% provides
proof of precision in our data. Errors in measurement were minimized by using
highly calibrated glassware for all measurements. One of the largest sources of
error came from the use of a visual indicator to determine the equivalence point of
the titration. This could be improved by using a pH meter during the titration and
then using calculations to determine the equivalence point. Another major error is
due to the hydroscopic nature of NaOH leading to inaccurate balance readings.
Results could also be improved by increasing the number of trials. This experiment
provides the insight that solutions are virtually never created to exactly the
targeted concentration. However, standardizing the solution negates the
Created by Conrad T. Pfeiffer, Graduate Student, Temple University, June 10th 2014

inaccurate balance reading for NaOH and provides a more accurate concentration.
In the end, I have successfully created and standardized a solution of NaOH for use
in future experiments.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS / TIPS

If you work with a partner or in a group always cite the other
members. Also be sure to include any letter or number
corresponding to an unknown sample you were given.
Save an electronic copy of your previous lab reports to that you can
save time by copy and pasting formulas since entering information in
Microsoft Equation Editor is complicated.
Reread your lab report at least twice to minimize spelling and
grammar errors as well as other typos.
Print your lab report earlier than just before lab. Printing problems
occur more frequently than one would expect.
Always write in a concise manner but make sure you include
everything you need to. Do not get wordy.
The Results / Discussion will always vary in length. You know you are
done when your results are clearly stated, all errors are described
and alternate methods are investigated, anything and everything
new to you is discussed, and you have confidently displayed that you
understand the point of the lab and have learned something new.

Created by Conrad T. Pfeiffer, Graduate Student, Temple University, June 10th 2014