Purpose of a lab report Format Available resources Consider the Writing Situation Audience Other engineers Purpose Discuss significance of experimental results Engineering Needs Reliable Knowledge ID: 935052
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Writing Lab Reports Writing Lab Reports" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Writing Lab Reports
Slide2Writing Lab Reports
Purpose of a lab report
Format
Available resources
Slide3Consider the Writing Situation
Audience:
Other engineers
Purpose: Discuss significance of experimental results
Slide4Engineering Needs Reliable Knowledge
Use standard procedures and describe your findings qualitatively
Report only the results of your specific trial, not general ideas
Avoid claims that are beyond your evidence
Slide5Analyze the Experiment, Not Yourself
Do not report what you “learned”: your data is not the results of a quiz!
Report whether you reached your experimental objective.
Slide6Practice Writing Like a Professional
Write complete sentences in passive voice
When using graphics, label and describe them
Do not “cut and paste” from another source, even the
lab
m
anual
Print and proofread before you upload
Hand in reports on time
Slide7Writing Lab Reports
Purpose of a lab report
Format
Available resources
Slide8Standard Format Conserves Effort
Title Page
Abstract
Introduction
Procedure
Data/Observations
Discussion/Conclusions
Works Cited
Slide9Logic, Not Time, Organizes the Report
Abstract
Brief trajectory of the report
Introduction
Background information to understand the hypothesis you test in the experiment
Discussion/Conclusions
Based on the Introduction, did the Procedure produce the expected results? What is next?
Procedure
The steps you took to test the hypothesis
Data/Observations
What you saw when you used the procedure
Slide10Logic, Not Time, Organizes the Report
Abstract
Brief trajectory of the report
Introduction
Background information to understand the hypothesis you test in the experiment
Discussion/Conclusions
Based on the Introduction, did the Procedure produce the expected results? What is next?
Procedure
The steps you took to test the hypothesis
Data/Observations
What you saw when you used the procedure
Summarizes the
experimental
objective (
“
what you did
”
) – tells result and its significance
Slide11Logic, Not Time, Organizes the Report
Abstract
Brief trajectory of the report
Introduction
Background information to understand the hypothesis you test in the experiment
Discussion/Conclusions
Based on the Introduction, did the Procedure produce the expected results? What is next?
Procedure
The steps you took to test the hypothesis
Data/Observations
What you saw when you used the procedure
Presents concepts and equations that come up later
Slide12Logic, Not Time, Organizes the Report
Abstract
Brief trajectory of the report
Introduction
Background information to understand the hypothesis you test in the experiment
Discussion/Conclusions
Based on the Introduction, did the Procedure produce the expected results? What is next?
Procedure
The steps you took to test the hypothesis
Data/Observations
What you saw when you used the procedure
Allows an outsider to verify results
Objective, without evaluation or calculations
Slide13Logic, Not Time, Organizes the Report
Abstract
Brief trajectory of the report
Introduction
Background information to understand the hypothesis you test in the experiment
Discussion/Conclusions
Based on the Introduction, did the Procedure produce the expected results? What is next?
Procedure
The steps you took to test the hypothesis
Data/Observations
What you saw when you used the procedure
Analyze and interpret how well the hypothesis was supported
Slide14Learn to Excel Within This Format
Abstract
: State experiment clearly and avoid educational goals
Introduction: Provide important knowledge needed to understand what
should
happen
Data/Observations
: Explain what happened in detail so the report is like a movie
Conclusion
: Analyze your data to explain how close your test came to the ideal case in the Introduction
Slide15Writing Lab Reports
Purpose of a lab report
Format
Available resources
Slide16Where to Find Help
Lab Manual (
http://manual.eg.poly.edu
)“Specifications for Writing Your Lab Reports”
“Annotated Lab Report”
The Writing Center (JAB 373)
(646) 997-3425
Your writing consultant
Slide17Writing Lab Reports
QUESTIONS?