LAB REORTING GUIDELINES

(this was excerpted from the CAPE Chemistry Syllabus 2019-2020)

Standard Lab format

Date (Date of experiment)

Title (Title of experiment)

Aim (what is the reason for doing the experiment)

Apparatus and Materials (all equipment, chemicals and materials used in the experiment must
be listed)

Method/Experimental Procedure (step-by-step procedure written in past tense, passive voice)

Results and Observations – observations and data may be recorded using the following format.
- Prose – a written description of observations in the correct tense
- Table – with suitable headings (may include physical quantities, units, symbols etc.) and
details.
- Graph – Axes should be labelled with units, correct scales, plotting and smooth
curves/best fit lines.
- Drawing of apparatus as set up for use.

Discussion – students should be able to:

(a) Identify patterns and trends;
(b) Make accurate calculations;
(c) Identify limitations and sources of error;
(d) Make a conclusion to either support or refute the hypothesis;
(e) Compare actual results with expected results if they are different;
(f) Suggest alternative methods or modifications to existing methods; and
(g) Analyse and interpret results and observations and make conclusions.

Conclusion (should be related to the aim)

References
- full citation details in APA format
Planning and Designing (PD) Lab Format

Expt #
Date
• date PD was assigned to class
Title
• [Usually given]
Problem Statement
• include the given problem statement
Hypothesis
• clear, concise and testable
Aim
• should be related to the hypothesis

Background/Theory
• info on main substances of interest
• info on relevance of study
• info on relevant previous work by other researchers
• info on proposed experiment, including chemical principles and equations needed
• APA style references should be included, particularly when previous work by other
researchers is mentioned

Apparatus & Materials

• all equipment and chemicals needed in the experiment must be listed (Include relevant
concentrations if possible.)

Procedure
• step-by-step procedure written in the command present tense
• should clearly outline how the manipulated variable will be changed and measured
• should clearly outline how the responding variable should be measured

Variables
- Controlled (Constant)
- Manipulated (Independent)
- Responding (Dependent)

Expected Results
- Observations to be made or measurements to be taken
- Suggested display of results:
o Table(s) (empty)
o Graph(s) (empty)
Treatment of Expected Results
- Calculation steps to be taken (Include equations.)
- Values to be compared
- Link between expected results and hypothesis (“If …. is found then the hypothesis ... will
be proven correct...”)

Precautions and Limitations/Assumptions

- 2 or more

References
• full citation details in APA format