Formal Lab ReportFormal Lab Report

General LayoutGeneral Layout

Title pageTitle pageIntroduction/ObjectiveIntroduction/ObjectiveTheoryTheoryProceduresProceduresData AnalysisData AnalysisError AnalysisError AnalysisConclusionConclusionBibliographyBibliography

Title PageTitle Page

Includes a meaningful title for the Includes a meaningful title for the project/report and the names of the project/report and the names of the experimenters. Some students will experimenters. Some students will occasionally include a colorful graphic on occasionally include a colorful graphic on this page. this page.

Introduction/ObjectiveIntroduction/Objective

A paragraph in which you describe the objective A paragraph in which you describe the objective of your experimental investigation and literature of your experimental investigation and literature search; the purpose should be clearly stated and search; the purpose should be clearly stated and should clearly identify the dependent and should clearly identify the dependent and independent variables. A good guideline is to independent variables. A good guideline is to include the phrase “The purpose will be to include the phrase “The purpose will be to investigate the effect of ____________ (some investigate the effect of ____________ (some controllable and modifiable variable) upon the controllable and modifiable variable) upon the ____________ (a measurable variable)." ____________ (a measurable variable)." Procedural steps should not be discussed in the Procedural steps should not be discussed in the purpose section. purpose section.

TheoryTheory

ExhaustivelyExhaustively describe the physics of your describe the physics of your topic. Include diagrams, graphs, and other topic. Include diagrams, graphs, and other visuals which have been discussed in visuals which have been discussed in class or which were found in the book or class or which were found in the book or other literature. other literature.

Discuss the physics principles in detail, Discuss the physics principles in detail, writing as though your audience was an writing as though your audience was an individual who knows little about your individual who knows little about your topic. Begin by approaching the topic in topic. Begin by approaching the topic in rather general terms and then breaking it rather general terms and then breaking it down into specifics. down into specifics.

Define terms, discuss equations and Define terms, discuss equations and provide sample calculations to illustrate provide sample calculations to illustrate how they can be used. Present diagrams how they can be used. Present diagrams and discuss and elaborate upon their and discuss and elaborate upon their meaning. In other words, apply physics to meaning. In other words, apply physics to the situation by intelligently discussing the the situation by intelligently discussing the physics principles which applies to the physics principles which applies to the topic which has been selected.topic which has been selected.

ProceduresProcedures

A A step-by-stepstep-by-step procedure which describes procedure which describes what you will do and how you will do it. what you will do and how you will do it.

Data AnalysisData Analysis

Include an organized listing of input and Include an organized listing of input and output data and observations; use a row-output data and observations; use a row-column format for data. column format for data.

Use whatever format makes the data most Use whatever format makes the data most revealing of the patterns which your study revealing of the patterns which your study reveals. reveals.

If necessary, use more than one data If necessary, use more than one data table; this is especially important if you table; this is especially important if you conducted several investigations (and you conducted several investigations (and you did/will). For example, you modified one did/will). For example, you modified one variable several times to investigate its variable several times to investigate its effect on a measurable outcome and then effect on a measurable outcome and then repeated several more trials in which you repeated several more trials in which you modified a second variable and measured modified a second variable and measured its effect on an outcome. its effect on an outcome. Give each data table a meaningful title Give each data table a meaningful title (e.g., "Measured Data for Roller Coaster (e.g., "Measured Data for Roller Coaster Incline Experiment"). Incline Experiment").

Include all plots and graphs in this section. Include all plots and graphs in this section. The axis of all graphs should be clearly The axis of all graphs should be clearly labeled and each graph should be titled so labeled and each graph should be titled so that it clearly indicates exactly what data that it clearly indicates exactly what data are being plotted. are being plotted.

Finally, include appropriate equations Finally, include appropriate equations which describe the plotted data.which describe the plotted data.

Error AnalysisError Analysis

Include relative error, absolute error, and Include relative error, absolute error, and sources of error.sources of error.

Discuss the mathematical, systematical Discuss the mathematical, systematical and human error that may appear in the and human error that may appear in the lab.lab.

This section is important, do not forget it!This section is important, do not forget it!

ConclusionConclusion

Discuss what your data tell you and what Discuss what your data tell you and what conclusions you can make from them. conclusions you can make from them.

Support all conclusions with logic and by Support all conclusions with logic and by reference to the collected data. reference to the collected data.

Make specific reference to the names of the Make specific reference to the names of the graphs and data tables which you include in the graphs and data tables which you include in the Data section. Do not merely restate your data Data section. Do not merely restate your data section; rather, make generalizations and section; rather, make generalizations and interpretations of graphs and data interpretations of graphs and data

Use several paragraphs to relate your Use several paragraphs to relate your experimental findings to the literature research experimental findings to the literature research which you did. which you did.

Relate experiment to theory by making an effort Relate experiment to theory by making an effort to explain the results. to explain the results.

Discuss the principles of physics which would Discuss the principles of physics which would explain the generalizations and conclusions explain the generalizations and conclusions which you made; that is, discuss the theoretical which you made; that is, discuss the theoretical explanations for your results explanations for your results

Make some suggestions which would improve Make some suggestions which would improve the actual experimental procedure. the actual experimental procedure.

Discuss the implications and meaning of Discuss the implications and meaning of your findings your findings

BibliographyBibliography

Do not forget to reference all material cited Do not forget to reference all material cited in the report!in the report!

Use the techniques learned in English Use the techniques learned in English class to format all material. (APA format)class to format all material. (APA format)