INFORMAL LABORATORY REPORT

Every student must submit two individual formal laboratory reports this semester – one formal report before the midpoint and the second formal report after the midpoint.  All lab reports must be based on data acquired by individual members of that group of experimenters. At the beginning of the semester, every member of a lab group will cooperate with other group members to select their first individual formal lab report out of the five experiments performed by the midpoint and also select their second formal report, chosen from the last six experiments after the midpoint of the semester. Only one member of a lab group (who signed up for the specific lab) is required to submit an individual formal lab report for that specific experiment from that group. Other members of that lab group will collaboratively submit a group formal lab report for that experiment.

The Formal Laboratory Report will consist of:

Report Cover Sheet:

• Title of Experiment & Date
• Name of Lab Instructor/ Course Name/ Semester
• Name(s) of the Lab Group Experimenter(s)

Overview or Abstract:
As an overview, in paragraph form, presents a sense of the full report concisely and effectively, including a summary of the results obtained from different sections of this experiment including any specific or significant observations, following the guideline below:

• Purpose/Objectives/Goals of the lab
• Concepts that were applied, verified, and/or observed
• Tools used to study these concepts
• Any assumptions or hypothesis made concerning the possible outcomes of the experiment, with logical reasoning

A brief statement of the objectives is usually provided in the experiment handouts to guide you. A complete statement of purpose that presents the problem and explains why the experiment was performed should be the product of your own thought.

 Results / Analysis of Data:

• State the overall findings of the experiment and report all the actual raw data that were recorded while performing the experiment, using tables, graphs, etc.;
• Include raw data relevant to the experiment, such as numbers, sketches, computer printouts, images, and photographs.
• All numerical data must be presented legibly;
• State the experimental uncertainty associated with each set of data;
• Each table, sketch, equation, formula, or graph must have a sequential caption, number, or label that is referenced in the report;
• Units and variables must be clearly and correctly stated.

 Present the final results of the data analysis in the form of visual representations, such as charts, graphs, or tables that are convenient for discussing the outcomes of the experiment. All graphs and tables within the report must be introduced by a sentence of explanation. Include a statement about the accuracy of the results based on error analysis. Present sample calculations and the error analyses on separate sheets as indicated in the next paragraph, under sample “CALCULATIONS”. All other details of the data analysis referenced in the report should be included in the Appendix.

 Graphs and Diagrams (when required):

Graphs provide a visual representation of your data. There should be only one graph on a
separate page. Please do not present two or more graphs on this same page! 

• Each graph must be properly formatted, with clear labels and titles, and showing proper units for each axis;
• Draw your the best line of fit for the graph;
• Choose suitable scales and font sizes such that the plot area of the graph covers nearly two-thirds of the graph paper;
• Clearly identify the selected points on the best line-of-fit of the graph that were used in the graphical analysis (e.g. for calculating slope);
• Draw clearly labeled diagrams. Diagrams provide a visual representation of your experimental setup and procedure.

Calculations (=> A subsection of Results):

All sample calculations must be presented on a separate subsection.

• Show only one representative (sample) of work done for each different set of calculated values using a specific formula;
• Use appropriate sub headings for the calculations, organized by sections of the experimental procedure;
• Write the applicable equations. substitute the appropriate data, including the units, into the equation;
• Finally, show the accurate and clear results of a calculation to the correct number of significant figures. It is not necessary to show all the intermediate steps of the calculation. Pay careful attention to proper units for the results. Failure to show the correct units will result in the loss of points.
• Show only the outline form of the calculations you used. Use of scientific calculators is strongly recommended.
• The statement of work should reveal creative thinking, problem‐solving expertise, and clear comprehension of the application of physics equations.

Discussion of Results:

The discussion should open with an effective statement of support of results and assumptions; include accurate error analysis and compares experimental results with predictions, based on the theory; provide interpretations and logical explanations related to concepts; addresses other issues pertinent to lab.

• Restate the objectives of the experiment;
• What did you find from the investigations? Include a brief summary of the results and compare the results from the data analysis with the predictions of the theoretical model;
• Compare your results with the theoretical predictions and/or your hypothesis? Explain any unexpected behavior;
• What can you logically project, deduce, or infer from the results of the data analysis?
• Assess the quality and accuracy of the procedure based on the error analyses and
  include suggestions for improving the experimental procedure, if deemed
  necessary.
• .Respond to all the required (pre/post-lab or guiding) questions or problems with complete sentences in separate paragraphs that clearly indicate (with sub headings) those questions to which you are providing responses;
• State any required numerical solution to a problem in the paragraph but include the
  details of any related calculations in the Appendix, clearly identified
  with the specific problem number.

Conclusion:

The conclusion is a very important section of your report. This section should include your reflections on the experiment and analysis of the data, any interpretations, and possible deductions from these results. Your conclusion should reflect what you have learned in the lab based on the results of the data analysis. The conclusion should highlight supporting evidence that is explicitly referenced; and comments on relevance of the experiment to real world.

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