Acing Lab Reports

Lab reports require a scientific style of writing and careful attention to detail. After you’ve carefully conducted your lab experiment, you might be left with a pile of data and uncertainties about how to proceed. Follow this basic formula to outline the important sections of your lab report. Most reports include these sections:

1. An introduction: Introduce the purpose of your study. Clearly state your hypothesis in measurable terms. Remember to cite any background information you might have obtained from literature searches related to your experiment.

2. Materials and methods: The materials list should be an inventory of what another experimenter might need if the study was replicated. The methods section should read similar to an instruction guide. Reread the instructions and imagine repeating the experiment. When in doubt, more details are better than less. Leaving out an important step could dramatically alter the results or accuracy of your findings. Some researchers call this section the Experimental Procedure. Terminology might vary between subjects and by the preferences of your instructor.

3. Results: Present your data in a clear way that highlights your findings. Using charts, tables, and graphs is usually expected. Calculations can be completed in programs like Excel or others. In some cases, diagrams might be useful to summarize your results.

4. Discussion: The discussion section is usually viewed as the most important part of lab reports. It allows the researcher to form conclusions and summarize the importance of the study. State clearly whether or not your hypothesis was supported.

Lab reports can be challenging to write because they require a unique precision and a background in both research and science. Outlining your lab report with the essential sections establishes a strong foundation for your writing. Lab reports can be time-consuming and your performance might be connected to the work of lab partners. If you’d like help with any phase of the process, PowerPapers has a crew of writers experienced in customized, completely unique lab reports. Let us know your needs and we’re happy to help.