Laboratory reports should follow the layout of a research journal article, and include the following sections;

I.Title

The title should appropriately represent the objectives of the work. Include your name, the course and course number, and the date below the title.

II.Abstract

This section should include a paragraph or two on the importance, purpose and goals of your research. This section should also summarize the key points of the procedure and results of your research.

III.Introduction

This section should include background information on your experiment, included referenced work from journal articles. You should stress the significance of the goals and objectives of you work, and how they build upon past works.

IV.Methods

In the methods section include all chemicals, sample collection information, and analytical methods and instruments used in paragraph form. A description of the procedures you performed should be included, also in paragraph form. Make sure to write these sections in third person, and past tense form.

V.Results and Discussion

All of your data and your data analysis should be reported in this section. Make sure to answer questions from the laboratory procedures. Include tables, graphs and calculations (write out equations used). In detail explain the data results and what they mean. Were they what you expected? What sort of error was involved?

VI.Conclusions

In the last section you should explain your findings, and how that accomplished the goals from the introduction. What can you conclude from what you found? Should more research be done?

VII.Acknowledgements

Include this section if applicable. Include people who helped you with the data collection, sample collection, or writing of the report.

VIII.References

Reference any information that came from outside sources.

Laboratory Reports will be graded on content, accuracy and precision of results, clear and organized reporting of results, and your understanding of purpose and findings of the research.