Lab Report Template: NO PRONOUNS, VOICE, OR SLANG!
Title: Observations:
● A brief, concise, yet descriptive title ● Should be either:
Question / Problem: ○ bulleted, detailed written notes
● What problem / question are you trying to answer? ○ a data table
○ How does independent variable affect the ○ Rows and / or columns should contain labels (includi
dependent variable? units).
○ Should be measurable Data Analysis ( Calculations, Graphs, Sources of Error):
■ ex. “How does color of light affect plant growth?” Calculations:
Background Information: ● This section should contain ALL calculations
● Describes what science is already known about the topic performed during the investigation.
being investigated. ● You must show ALL your work.
● Describes what science is not already known, thus giving ● Calculations should contain a title
the research a purpose. ○ e.g. % of water calculation #1
● If appropriate sources are identified according to MLA ● Answers to calculations should contain unit labels
formatting. and be easily identifiable
Hypothesis: ○ ex. Bold or underline your answers
● Write prediction as an “If-Then” statement (if possible). Graphs:
○ Be sure to include both the independent and dependent variable ● This is where you put your data or calculations into
in the “If-Then” statement. graphs to visually show the relationship being
○ Ex: If a plant is exposed to white light, then it will grow faster... investigated.
● If-Then statement should be followed with reasoning for ● Graphs should contain a brief, concise, appropriate
the prediction that was made. title
○ a “because” statement. ○ ex. The effect of ___________ on __________.
Materials: ● Graphs should contain a key and/or labeled axes
● Make a bulleted list of ALL items used in the lab. Use columns (including units).
possible ● Graphs should be to scale and LARGE enough to
○ Example show the relationship.
■ 500 mL Beaker
● Include a summary of what the graph is showing
■ Bunsen Burner
and trends appearing.
■ Iron Ring
Sources of Error:
Procedure:
● Propose at least two possible sources of error that could
● Write a numbered step by step description which explains
have occurred in the collection of the data (experimental
how to complete the investigation.
○ Example
errors).
■ 1. Set up a Bunsen burner. ● Discusses consequences the errors could have on the
■ 2. Obtain 10g NaCl. results.
● Your procedure should be written so that anyone else could ● Propose ways of fixing the errors if you were to do it over
repeat the experiment. again.
○ Include sizes of materials Conclusions:
○ avoid excessive details ● Claim
● Identifies Independent Variable and Dependent Variable. ○ Accept or reject the hypothesis / state your claim.
● Addresses all factors to keep constant ● Evidence
● Procedures should describe what data (including units) and ○ EXPLAIN why you accepted or rejected your
observations to record and where to record them. hypothesis using evidence (e.g. data, calculations,
○ ex. record temperature in Table #1.
graphs, sources of error) from the lab.
Data Tables: ● Reasoning
● This section should contain labeled data tables for ○ Propose an explanation of why the phenomena
recording measurements or observations. investigated occurred.
● Should be made prior to the start of the investigation. ■ Explain what science concepts are at
● Data Tables should contain a Title work.
○ (e.g. Data Table #1 or Boiling Temperatures)
○ This will often require a reference to the
● Include a summary of what the table is showing and trends
background information or require additional
appearing.
research
