'''Laboratory reports''', commonly referred to as lab reports, are [[science|scientific]] papers that enable researchers to communicate their findings with others, e.g. findings such as results of scientific [[experiment]]s. Another important function of lab reports is the record-keeping of experiments. This allows other researchers to examine or to duplicate the experiment.
Researchers and scientists often use the lab report format to publish their accomplishments. However, they are not the only ones to write these documents: most reports are done by students of high schools and colleges for schoolwork, and when they're competing in [[science fair]]s.
The format and rules of lab reports are very complicated and have to be strictly followed for easier communication. But, these rules may vary in different fields or even to different people. For example, in a school, each teacher may have different preferences of format and style for lab reports from their students.
==History==
''See also: [[History of science]], [[sociology of science]] and [[sociology of scientific knowledge]]''
==Format==
Using the format as a guideline when composing a report will help one avoid leaving out important aspects of an experiment and make the report logical and easier to understand. Although there isn't a standard format or style for such a document, most lab reports contain basic elements as listed below.
====Title Page====
Title page is the cover for the document. On the title page, there should be some general information that helps others to identify the experiment. For example if this lab report is a group assignment in a high school, then the title page should provide: the name of the experiment, full name of the student and his/her lab partners and the date on which the experiment was conducted.
====Abstract====
Abstract is a miniature of the report of about 100-200 words. It summarises the whole report. Therefore it's the part that has to be written last. A smaller and more informal lab report may not require an abstract.
====Introduction====
'''Purpose'''<br>
Explains what the experiment is trying to find out as well as the experiment's significance. Sometimes there is also a brief mention of the method used in the experiment.
'''Theory'''<br>
Explains the theory or principles on which the experiment is based and past findings by other researchers and scientists. Any symbols or variables used in the report must be defined here. A diagram may be needed for that.
====Equipment, Materials or Apparatus, if any====
This section is about the setup of the experiment. A lab report in psychology, for example, will not involve the use of equipments, so this section wouldn't be present in a psychology lab report. But in other fields of research such as physics, this section usually contains a diagram and explanations of how the equipments are assembled, and a list of materials used.
====Experimental Procedure====
Experimental procedure is a narrative of how the experiment was conducted. It should be written in past tense. And the author should describe each step of the experiment in great details in this section.
====Results====
The data obtained through the experiment are presented here in tables with descriptions. Graphs are used when they're appropriate. Also include any calculations.
====Discussion====
Here, the significance of the results is explained and a conclusion is reached. And then the author will list possible sources of systematic and random error and suggest ways to improve the design of the experiment.
====References====
This section provides an alphabetized list of books or other published resources cited in the report. For more information, see [[citation]] and [[plagiarism]].
====Appendices====
The appendices are sections of data, diagrams and other related items that are not included in the above sections. Each appendix should be referred to at least once from other sections of the report. For example, at the beginning of the results section, one might add: "See Appendix A: Raw Data Chart".
==See also==
* [[Scientific method]]
* [[Scientific paper]]
==References==
* http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/~mendens/LabReport.pdf
* http://www.psywww.com/tipsheet/labrep.htm
* http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/labs.html
* http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/po/po-selfguide.htm
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