Title: Untitled Document
Course: Materials of Engineering

Laboratory Write-Up Format

Title: Describes the labcontent concisely, adequately and appropriately.

Date: The date the data was collected.

Purpose:  May be a statement or a question.

Introduction: (Background information) A three to five sentence statement that provides the reader with the necessary background information to understand the relevance of the experiment. Identifies and explains the scientific concepts related to the lab.

Hypothesis: Must be stated in an if . . . then statement; indicate your rationale for making the prediction. For example: If the (independent variable) is (describe how it is changed), then the (dependent variable) will (describe the effect).

Materials: List format - quantities should be listed and all measurements must be in metric.

Procedure: Step format (what, where, when and how much!). Describes the procedure used to gather data. Gives enough details to allow for replication. Includes pictures/diagrams whenever possible to clarify the experimental set-up.

Variables:  Identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables (constants).  Also, discuss the control.

Safety: Note and describe all safety concerns or hazards

Results/Analysis:
Data: Data must be arranged in charts, tables, etc. Graphs should follow if appropriate and clarify the data. Graphs alone are not acceptable.
Data analysis: Discussion and analysis of the data. Provides a logical explanation for comparison using specific data.
Experimental error: Identifes the random, systematic and/or measurement errors that may have occurred AND/OR the ways in which these errors were avoided.

Conclusion: (three paragraph format)
1st paragraph - Restatement of purpose and hypothesis.
2nd paragraph - A summary of procedure and data.
3rd paragraph - A concluding statement; indicates whether the hypothesis was supported or refuted.

NOTE: If the lab involved actual experimentation, then a hypothesis is required and the conclusion is written as stated above.
If the lab was a demonstration or a skills lab and did not involve actual experimentation, then no hypothesis is required and the 3rd paragraph of the conclusion summarizes what the student learned instead of a concluding statement.