In a recent survey, only 35% of laboratories provide their members with a regularly-updated science lab report. This is likely due to the fact that many individuals are unfamiliar with the term, and even fewer still know how to write one. But with this information, there is a need to clear up some common misconceptions. After all, even the most seasoned scientists need to refer to the same examples of reports at least once in a while, and if your lab has a website, it should always be readily available for your visitors.
Many people think that a science lab report has to be extensive and wordy. They have this mistaken impression because the term ‘lab research’ has been co-opted by many scientists and industrialists. As a result, many less serious researchers have come to view a lab report as over-the-top. And when it comes to reports, the more words the better. A report may be too wordy if the text is filled with detailed descriptions of processes and procedures. If the text is too full of words, it can also bore the reader.
A good lab report should be concise, though. This doesn’t mean it has to go into the precise science behind the experiment. Rather, it should provide enough detail so that the readers can understand the basic steps of the procedure without going into any specific scientific jargon. For instance, if the researcher is analyzing a chemical compound, then the process they used to produce the sample should be described in just enough detail to allow the reader to understand what each step means.
The next thing to describe is the actual physical process used to create the sample. Many times, lab members will type the procedure they used in brackets, separated by commas. It is important not to break this pattern. Instead, use commas to separate the steps that were completed in order to get the sample, then use the brackets to describe the process.
One important thing to include is the equipment that was used during the procedure. If the experiment was performed using specialized equipment, then it should be listed separately. For example, if the procedure was done on a glass ampoule, then it should be described in detail. It is important not to leave out equipment costs. Many times, equipment costs are listed as part of the budget for the experimental set-up. A good science lab report example should mention all equipment costs, even if only a part of it was used.
Finally, it is important to include any new findings. It should be noted that scientists tend to be very detail oriented when it comes to their studies. Therefore, if the new findings aren’t mentioned in the literature, then it is important to add them here. This information is important because it helps to make sure the hypothesis being tested is actually valid.
When looking for an example of a science lab report example, you will find several examples online. Many of them are actually pictures of the experiments described in the papers. If you prefer to study a real-life example, then you can look for photos from magazines and newspapers. There are also some web sites that publish daily lab reports in the news.
It is important to make sure that your laboratory is well-cleaned and that everything is ready for the next stage. Some people like to wait until the end of the experiment before they wash or dry the glassware. Others like to clean the dishes, bench tops, and everything else immediately after the scientists finish processing the experiment.
