EXAMPLE
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/scientific-reports/
W r i t i n g L a b R e p o r t s
What lab reports and scientific papers do:
Persuade others to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations
Detail data, procedures, and outcomes for future researchers
Become part of the accepted body of scientific knowledge when published unless later disproved
Provide an archival record for reference and document a current situation for future comparison
Format
Title:
Reflect the factual content with less than ten words in a straightforward manner
Statement of the Problem:
What question(s) are you trying to answer?
Hypothesis:
Write a possible solution for the problem.
Make sure this possible solution is a complete sentence.
Make sure the statement is testable, an if-then statement is recommended to illustrate what criteria will
support your hypothesis (and what data would not support the hypothesis).
Background/Introduction:
Define the subject of the report: “Why was this study performed?”
Provide background information and relevant studies: “What knowledge already exists about this
subject?”
Materials and methods:
List materials used, how were they used, and where and when was the work done (especially important
in field studies)
Describe special pieces of equipment and the general theory of the analyses or assays used
Results
Concentrate on general trends and differences and not on trivial details.
Summarize the data from the experiments without discussing their implications
Organize data into tables, figures, graphs, photographs, etc. Data in a table should not be duplicated in a
graph or figure
Title all figures and tables; include a legend explaining symbols, abbreviations, or special methods
Number figures and tables separately and refer to them in the text by their number, i.e.
1. Figure 1 shows that the activity…. 2. The activity decreases after five minutes (fig. 1)
Discussion
Interpret the data; do not restate the results
Relate results to existing theory and knowledge
Explain the logic that allows you to accept or reject your original hypotheses
Speculate as necessary but identify it as such
Include suggestions for improving your techniques or design, or clarify areas of doubt for further
research
