This blog post will assist you in learning how to write a lab report in the concluding section, as we shall help you master what a lab report is and see where it is used. For this purpose, we will focus on formatting and length, creating the lab report outline, writing the results section, composing an excellent conclusion for a lab report, and more. Additionally, we will talk about dos and don'ts when writing a concluding section so you can avoid the mistakes.
Once you finish reading and examining each part, your lab report’s final section will become a breeze. Now, let’s buckle up in your academic seat and learn!
What is a lab report? Where is it used?
A lab report is one of the assignment types encountered in academic writing by students of all backgrounds. As a rule, a lab report can be used basically anywhere as it aims to provide the goal of your research, explain the methods, showcase the results, and portray conclusions of your scientific work. The trick is showing how you conduct a scientific laboratory experiment or research to support your understanding of your material. Since it is usually shorter than your average research assignment, it is most important to be descriptive and offer a good reflection on your lab report results or a concluding section.
While it is not a definite rule, most lab reports are written by college students majoring in engineering, STEM subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. Of course, you may encounter lab reports in Sociology or English Literature if you study something complex like language groups or linguistics. The vital aspect is that you should focus on the structure of your process and reflect on what method(s) you have used for your research. Indeed, most examples of lab reports you will see online will talk about your work in a specific environment. Here, the main purpose is to explain and show how other scientists or fellow students can replicate your work.
What is the required lab report length?
When taking notes in a laboratory, it is easy to go over the board and write to extreme volumes. Still, it is optional to do so when your grading rubric tells you otherwise. The helpful workaround that our EduBirdie experts have found is knowing what goes for each part. Therefore, one of the most challenging aspects of learning how to write conclusion for lab report is knowing how to manage your word count in advance.
For the most part, your lab report writing will depend on the type of experiment you conduct. All in all, your work will vary between five and ten pages, and it must include all the graphs and additional information. Now, as you learn how to write an abstract for a lab report, your abstract section should not contain any of the data from your graphs. Although there isn't a strict minimum or maximum that needs to be stated, you should talk to your academic counselor or refer to your grading rubric.
Lab report outline rules
Before continuing your laboratory experiment, you must know what parts should be presented, so take notes to create a winning outline. A typical lab report format example must include the following sections:
- Title.
Your title should be descriptive and focus on the analysis part to tell what you have done.
- Abstract.
The abstract must show a summary and tell your audience what experiment has been conducted. It is usually written at the end, although it is placed as your first report's paragraph. When you are stuck with this part, ask yourself what you have done, what results have been found, what problem(s) have been addressed, and what results have been obtained. If you need help with how to write a lab report on time, our EduBirdie experts are glad to assist you on time!
- Introduction.
You must discuss the problem being studied. Accordingly, an introduction should be clear as you learn how to write a results section for a lab report. It means that what you wish to get in the future is what you must describe at the beginning of your lab report.
- Methods and materials.
This is where you talk about the equipment and methodology you have used.
- Results.
This part shows the data collected during your experiment. Thus, your results section of lab report must add graphs or any lab information that can help your audience explain what, how, and why certain equipment has been used. The limitations are also discussed here.
- Discussion.
This is your analysis and reflection with strategic thinking and an explanation. For example, your discussion part of lab report can talk about what has been learned and how exactly. Make it clear and use accessible language to showcase your confidence.
- Conclusion.
It is a summation of your experiment where you sum things up and discuss what has been learned. As a rule, your scientific background must be shown here. Refrain from introducing new ideas, but talk about what you have achieved and why it matters. If you are feeling stuck, simply summarize things in an accessible way.
- References.
If any outside sources have been used, they must be added to avoid plagiarism risks and show due credit to other author(s).
If you are confused with the parts mentioned above, consult your grading rubric and remember that every lab report must be based on your work. You must see each part and complete all the sections with a mental checklist. While you may not have an abstract or a helpful lab report results example in your subject, the rest of the seven sections must be present, thus shaping your final word count and essential elements.
How to write the results section of a lab report?
The results section of a lab report is where you have to collect all the data from your notes to show relevant info. Hence, it must include what you have collected or found. Here, explain things in accessible and simple words without getting into too much depth. This marks the main difference, as you do not have to compose a research paper. When you wish to add figures, follow the formatting and transition words relevant to your writing style (MLA, APA, IEEE). If you have used specific equipment or calculations, you must include your work and samples as well.
If you have followed a certain process, you must follow the same structure without skipping any important steps. Imagine that you are conducting a Physics experiment on the solar system. Consequently, start with a brief explanation of how you obtained certain results. Learning how to write a lab report, you must follow a strict structure, and bullet points or show your results from the most to the least important aspect if you do not wish to follow an experiment. Note that a lab report writer will always help you and modify your tone and reasoning to make things fit your scientific lab project if you are vague about how to go with this section.
How to write a discussion for a lab report?
Most students find this lab report section most confusing because they do not know whether it is a concluding part and what must be used here. No wonder this is where most students typically seek additional help and share do my discussion board requests with a specialist to save time on school debates, joint projects, and so on.
If we narrow things down, a typical lab conclusion example will include the following:
- An analysis of the results of your experiment.
- Discussion of obtained data with a brief explanation.
- If your results are not what you expected, you must explain and analyze your findings.
- Analysis of the strengths and limitations of your lab experiment.
- A comparison of results to other similar projects.
- Analysis of your experimental mistakes and risks.
- An explanation of your results to your target audience.
If you are unsure about what comes to this part and how to write a discussion for a lab report well, think about the results and the significance of the obtained results, and see whether you have seen any knowledge gaps and limitations. If you wish to make a call to action, this is where you must talk about it and leave certain recommendations.
How to write a conclusion for a lab report?
A lab report conclusion is what you must add before your bibliography (if you have one). Admittedly, it is the final and most important aspect of your lab report, as every college professor will check it after the abstract section or your introduction. If you are wondering what makes this part different, it is an explanation of what has been learned in bullet points, an explanation of the goals achieved, and an importance in more general terms.
Additionally, a conclusion in lab report must be edited well and have correct punctuation marks, as you must connect the introduction goals and the outcome to show whether you have succeeded or met only a list of limitations.
Likewise, just like with the results sections, you can leave specific notes about what can be done in future research and discuss other types of work. At the same time, it might be shaky writing ground because you should stay within the scope of a conducted lab experiment. Remember that the conclusion of a lab report must not introduce any new ideas or go beyond what you have discussed in the introductory lab research section.
Do's and don'ts when writing a concluding section
DO:
- Provide statistical information.
- Adhere to an academic writing format.
- Label all your figures and tables.
- Provide sources in your bibliography if you have used any external sources.
- Talk about your research methodology.
- Your tone must be explanatory and/or descriptive.
- Use your equipment list to explain what you have used.
- Use grammar and spell-checking tools.
- Your content must be scientifically approved and supported by a source or an experiment’s outcome.
- Make it possible to replicate your lab experiment steps.
DON’T:
- Remember that a lab report is not a research paper.
- A discussion in lab report must stay within the scientific scope of your lab experiment.
- Lab reports should not use colloquial language.
- Do not write in the first person.
- Do not use contractions.
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