Title (Insert the Title Here)

Rene John B. Escal

BSED Science 2A

Laboratory No. ____________ Date Conducted: ____________

Abstract

The abstract is a short paragraph (usually fewer than 250 words) that summarizes (1) the
objectives and scope of the problem, (2) methodology, (3) data, and (4) conclusions. The
abstract contains no references.

Keywords:

Introduction

The introduction concisely states why you did the work. Avoid exhaustive reviews of what has
already been published; rather, limit the introduction to just enough pertinent information to
orient the reader to your study.

This section provides the information necessary for your reader to gain interest in reading your
work and provides the reader with necessary information to understand the rest of the paper;
this requires at least 2 or 3 paragraphs. In your own words, briefly describe why the topic is
interesting or important, describe the underlying theory, and explain the principle upon which
the experiment was based. Keep it concise; lengthy discussions or derivations of equations are
unnecessary. This section should contain references to support the information.

• Background (importance/relevance): A brief description and justification of the

importance of the topic, with references to source material. What is the topic and why is it
interesting and important? This is meant to "hook" the reader, so they want to read about
the topic.
• Theory: A concise paragraph or more describing the general theory in chemistry used; this
section should contain a reference to the appropriate pages of the textbook, or other source
material from the literature.
• Goals/Purpose: Brief statement of purpose, which should indicate what is analyzed and
the technique used. Limit to three to five sentences.

Four common elements in introduction sections include:

1. Announce the topic (what is this about, why is it interesting or important?)
2. Summarize previous knowledge and research (What's already known?)
3. Prepare the reader by indicating a gap in previous research and/or by raising a question
about previous research. (Indicate what's missing in current knowledge, that your work
can address.)
4. Introduce the present research by stating the purpose and/or by outlining the research.

Materials and Methods

The materials and methods section describes how, when, where, and what you did. It should
contain enough detail to allow another scientist to repeat your experiment, but it should not be
overwhelming.

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List the major equipment used, giving specific details about experimental conditions. Also list
reagents and standard solutions used to calibrate the instrument, and the nature and origin of
any unknown samples analyzed. DO NOT just refer the reader to the manual in terms of set up
and procedure. But you should cite the manual and any other reference sources. Visual aids
(schematic or diagram) made by you are encouraged - do not put copywrited images or images
from the lab manual into your report. It is NOT necessary to copy experimental instructions
from the laboratory manual, instead, write it in your own words. Give a few specific details
about the apparatus, pertinent physical properties of the reagents used, the number of runs made
to collect data and the relevant experimental conditions (temperatures, pressures,
concentrations, etc.). This section should be brief.

Methods are usually presented chronologically, and this discussion is often subdivided with
headings. Examples of methods include sampling techniques, types of microscopies, and
statistical analyses. If possible, use references to describe methods.

Experiments described in a scientific paper must be reproducible. Thus, the quality of materials
and methods is judged by the reader's ability to repeat the experiment. If a colleague can't repeat
your experiment, the materials and methods section is probably poorly written. For most lab
reports, do not copy the experimental procedures word for word from the lab manual. Rather,
summarize what you did in several sentences.

Results

The results section is the heart of a scientific paper. It should clearly summarize your findings
and leave no doubt about the outcome of your study. For example, state that "All animals died
29 hours after eating cyanide" or "Table 1 shows the influence of 2,4, D on leaf growth." Keep
it simple and to the point.

Data organized and presented clearly using figures and tables, with error analysis, and a brief
description of the data. The evaluation of data should appear in the discussion section (next),
and not be mixed with statement of results in this section. Summarize your data in numbered
tables and graphs. Data should be organized in a way that is easy for the reader to understand.
Unnecessary data should not be included. When helpful, organize data in tables or figures so
that it is easier for your reader to interpret their meaning (for the next section). Remember to
label both axes on every graph/plot, and to give each a title. Graphs/plots should be referred to
as Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc., and tables as Table 1, Table 2, etc. Figures and plots should be clear and
font should be large enough to read. If multiple plots/figures are related and need to be viewed
side-by side, they should be combined into one figure with several panales labeled A, B, C..etc.
(use powerpoint or another software to combine). Present the results of your experiment based
on the presented data, showing all steps in calculations needed to reach a numerical result.
Include an analysis of errors. The data should be analyzed to determine the amount of the
unknown in the original sample.

Tables and graphs are excellent ways to present results but shouldn't completely replace a
written summary of results. Tables are ideal for presenting large amounts of numerical data,
and graphs are an excellent way to summarize data and show relationships between
independent and de, pendent variables. The variable that the scientist established and controlled
during the experiment is the independent variable. It is presented on the x-axis of the graph.
Protein content of a diet might be an independent variable in an experiment measuring weight
gain by an ani, mal (fig. 2). Similarly, time and temperature are often independent variables.

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 The dependent variable changes in response to
changes in the independent variable and is presented
on the y-axis of the graph. Weight and growth rate
are examples of dependent variables that may
change in response to light, temperature, diet, and
so on. Graphs must also have a title (e.g., "Influence
of Temperature on Root Elongation"), labeled axes
(e.g., "Temperature," "Root Elongation")' and
scaled units along each axis appropriate to each
variable (e.g., °e, mm h- 1). Place tables and graphs
on separate pages from the text.

Discussion

It's not enough to simply report your findings; you must also discuss what they mean and why
they're important. Describe and explain your observations based on the experimental results.
Describe your evaluation and interpretation of the results. This is the purpose of the discussion
section of a scientific paper. This section should interpret your results relative to the objectives
you described in the introduction and answer the question "So what?" or "What does it mean?"

A good discussion section should do the following:

• Discuss your findings; that is, present relationships, principles, and generalizations.
Point out exceptions and lack of correlations.
• Don't conceal anomalous results; rather, describe unsettled points. State how your
results relate to existing knowledge.
• State the significance and implications of your data. What do your results mean? If your
data are strong, don't hesitate to use statements beginning with "I conclude that ... "

The points below should be considered:

• What is the meaning of the data?
• Are the results significant based on error analysis?
• Do the results support the hypothesis?
• If applicable, explain failure of (any lack of success) or limitations in the experiment.
If applicable, discuss possible improvements if you see any.

Conclusion

• Answer your objectives.

• What are the overall conclusions that can be drawn for the report/ the work?

References

Scientists rely heavily on information presented in papers written by their colleagues. Indeed,
the introduction, mate' rials and methods, and discussion sections of a paper often contain
citations of other publications.

Appendices
Appendix A- Copy of Lab Sheet/Procedure
Appendix B- Laboratory Notes (Observation Notes)
Appendix C- Documentation

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 REMINDERS

I. Parts of the Lab Report

1. Tittle
2. Author/ Program/Year Level/ Section
3. Abstract
4. Introduction
5. Materials and methods
6. Results
7. Discussion
8. Conclusion
9. References
10. Appendices (Attachments such as Appendix A- Copy of Accomplished Lab Sheet,
and Appendix B- Documentation)

II. Title

The title of a paper is a short label (usually fewer than 10 words) that helps readers quickly
determine their interest in the paper. The title should reflect the paper's content and contain the
fewest number of words that adequately express the paper's content. The title should never
contain abbreviations or jargon (jargon is overly specialized or technical language).

III. Reference

Use 7th Ed. APA Manual of Style

Reminder:
• Do not change anything in the format such as the margin, font size, font style, and size of paper.

Point Rubric

Component Received/ Max Comments

Title/ Author/ Abstract /5
Introduction /15
Experimental Methods /10
Results /20
Discussion /20
Conclusion /5
References/ Appendices /10
Writing Quality /15
Total /100

Sci 6: Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Report