Method for Practical Report Writing

1.  Date, Name of student, Class, Name and Number of Experiment. Also include a list of the other members of your group.

2.  Aim of Experiment

Briefly outline the purpose of the experiment. Make a brief statement about what is to be learnt or achieved.  You may include a hypothesis if appropriate.

3.  Apparatus

Briefly list the equipment needed for the activity.

4.  Diagram

Draw in pencil using a ruler, a neatly labelled diagram.

5. Procedure

Keep this brief. This should be written in past tense, third person and summarised. It should not copied from the text.

6. Results

This should include the data you have collected and observations you have made during your experiment or activity. Your data should be presented in clearly labelled tables. These are a concise way to present scientific data.

7.  Discussion

This may include explanations and discussion of theory, if relevant. It should include any calculations, chemical equations, and clearly labelled graphs. (Note: See below for comments on graphs). Your discussion must include answers to any questions asked. It is most important when answering these questions to number them and use complete sentences that incorporate part of the question. If appropriate, you should compare your results to theoretical results. Any possible sources of error in the experiment, (whether in the method or in the equipment used) should be discussed. Results that do not fit should be discussed.

8.  Conclusion

This should be a brief sentence or two relating back to the aim of the experiment and showing that you have achieved your aim. Your conclusions must be derived or drawn from the information you have gathered and observations you have made.

• Science reports should be written in the third person and past tense, be concise, simple and impersonal.
• Check that graphs, tables and diagrams are clear, neat, drawn with a ruler, and labelled. Diagrams should be drawn in pencil.
• Graphs should be labelled with a title; both axes should be labelled and include units; it is more accurate to use graph paper; a line of best fit should be drawn and points that don’t fit should be identified and discussed.
• Pay attention to your style of writing. Use words that will be understood, sentences that are straightforward and paragraphs that present a single topic at a time.
• Your report should be well organised and clearly and neatly presented.
• Leave a good column to the left and do not try to crowd the page.
• Make sure you have proof-read and edited your report to remove spelling and other mistakes.