Check the requirements given in your unit information or lab manual, or ask your tutor if you are unsure where to place calculations Tables and figures In some disciplines the analysis and uncertainty calculations are presented under their own heading. The sources of error that you need to consider will vary between experiments and disciplines, but you will usually need to factor in both random and systematic errors.Īny analysis and calculations of the errors or uncertainties in the experiment are included in the results section unless otherwise specified. In some disciplines, if formulae are used, it is common to number them as equations:Įrror analysis is a type of calculation that indicates the accuracy of your results, usually done by determining the level of uncertainty. Calculations that are very long or repeated multiple times are usually included in an appendix (see below). When you take your raw data and perform some sort of mathematical operation to change it, it is good practice to show the equations you used in your analysis, as well as one worked example using each equation. Rather, it may involve calculation, analysis and the drawing up of tables and figures to present your data. This section is not just a copy of the raw data from your lab notebook. The results section is where you present a summary of the data collected during your experiments. However, there are ways you can change the language of the instructions to write your method section.īelow is an example of how these lab instructions were summarised into a method in a laboratory report: The method section of your report should instead be written in the past tense as a cohesive paragraph. These are not appropriate phrases to include in the lab report.Īlso note that the language of the instructions is in the present tense in bullet points. 'remember to take the reading from the centre of the meniscus…'.This is different from a lab report where you are reporting on what you did. Phrases are used here to specifically instruct the student who may be performing the technique for the first time. Experimental set-up for titration (taken from Carroll 2017) (Your teacher will provide additional guidance on the specific technique).įigure 2. Titrate the standardised NaOH(aq) into the flask with constant swirling until there is an observable colour change.Place the conical flask onto the white paper and add five drop of universal indicator to the flask.This is to make it easier to observe the colour change during the reaction. Place a sheet of white paper under the burette.Remember to take the reading from the centre of the meniscus, and from eye level. Fill the burette to the 0.0ml marking with standardised NaOH(aq).Rinse a burette with standardised NaOH(aq) and clamp it to the retort stand as shown Figure 2.Use a clean pipette to measure 25ml of HCl(aq) into a 100ml conical flask.Any experimental difficulties encountered and how they were resolved or worked around.īelow is an example of the instructions provided to a student to carry out a first year chemistry experiment.experimental set-up), usually including a diagram. How the apparatus and equipment were set up (e.g.
A typical set of instructions usually includes: These instructions are NOT written in the style of a laboratory report. You will generally be provided with a set of instructions to complete your practical work. Turn lab instructions into a lab report methodĪ common mistake students make is copying the instructions their teachers provide directly into their method section. A great way to keep track of this is to use a lab notebook during the practical work to note any change you make. You must also include any unplanned changes to the original process which occurred during the execution of the experiment. You need to describe the actions you took in a way that someone from your field has enough information to replicate the process and achieve a similar result. The method section is where you describe what you actually did during the practical work.