Lab Report

Structure of a Lab Report

Title

• The title should be centered. If required, add a title page with your name, data, and subject.
• In the title, you should clearly indicates your independent and dependent variable

Introduction

• Introduction will the first paragraph of your lab report. In the paragraph, you should answer

  1. What inspired to the research and come up with the question.
  2. The aim of the investigation
  3. The significance of your topic

Backgrounding Knowledge

• In this section, includes all theories you need to explain the conclusion and result of your research question.
• The section needs to include:
  • All relevant equations labeled with number. For example, F=ma (2.1), so you can refer back to the formula in analyzing data.
  • Symbols in equations need to be defined.
  • Explain relevant theories

Hypothesis if required

Data Collection

1. Raw data in a table
2. Processed data in a data
3. Sample calculation

Data Analysis

• Data analysis is an essential part in your investigation. In this section, you should include evidences, such as a graph, to analyze your data and justify your conclusion for your research question. In most cases a graph is included in this part. 
• The graph should be:
  • Labeled with units: Both the horizontal and vertical axises need to be labeled with units, and units should be in a parentheses.
  • Has a clear title that shows both the horizontal and vertical values
  • The decimal places for both axises should be consistent with the decimal places in data collection.
  • Error bar should be included for both horizontal and vertical values.
  • A trend line, or best-fit line, should be displayed in the graph with the value of R squared and the best-fit function.
  • Maximum and minimum gradients after calculating uncertainties. 
• When you are analyzing the graph/data, you should answer the following questions and include below contents:
  • What does the graph show?
    • In the beginning of you analysis, mention the independent and dependent variable to explain the meaning of the graph. For example, the graphical relationship between pressure and height is displayed by figure 7.1. 
  • Correlation: Variables can be positively or negatively correlated 
  • Graphical relationship between variables
    • Linear, exponential, quadratic, etc
  • The physical parameter of the function's gradient (slope)
  • Outlier
  • Does the graph cross the origin of (0,0). What does the intercept indicate?
    • In many cases, a non-zero intercept would represent systematic error existing throughout an investigation, shift the graph upward or downward from its origin.
  • Is error bar consistent in the figure?
    • A consistent error bar indicates small random error, demonstrating a high precision of measurement.
    • A inconsistent indicates random errors.

Conclusion and Discussion

• Percentage error calculation
• Is percentage under 10% (if yes, you can conclude that the value is reliable)
• If measurements have a small uncertainty, then they have a high precision, meaning that measurements are close to each other. From this, you can conclude that more error are attributed to random uncertainty (primary source of error)
• Paragraph 1:
  • State the actual value or result. Explain the relationship of the graph using scientific theory where Discuss the closeness of the result to the expected result. Discuss if the error was more due to random error (uncertainty propagation) or systematic error (percentage uncertainty). 
• Paragraph 2:
  • Anomalous results – discuss the data itself, focussing on the points that don’t fit on the line of best fit. Discuss the degree to which the random error contributed to the uncertainty. Discuss the degree to which the systematic error contributed to the percentage error. You must have the words in bold actually in the paragraph.

Evaluation

• Strengths
• Weaknesses

Further Investigation

References/Citation

Appendix

Graph