Report_Writing_Introduction_Fall_2023

How to write your Full Laboratory Report
Goals: Write a scientific mini-paper with all sections, including:

- Abstract
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
How to start? – Follow this order and the associated explanations:
1) Write the Methods section. What did you do in the lab, include all chemicals, lab
instrumentation (a burette is an instrument!) and describe the procedure. ABSOLUTELY
NO EXPLANANTIONS why you did specific steps or use specific instrumentation. Be as
explicit as possible and do not justify or explain any procedure. Include which data
analysis you performed and which error analysis (if applicable).
a. It is often good to start this section with a paragraph mentioning all chemicals
and consumables used.
b. Then describe the experimental procedures in as much detail so that another
chemist can reproduce your experiment.
c. If instruments are used, name the model of the instrument and supplier.
d. Mention details on the standard solutions and how they were prepared.
Describe the preparation of calibration solutions (if prepared).
2) Write the Results and Discussion section:

a. Gather all your data first!
b. Perform all necessary calculations, plot your data (a preliminary plot is ok at this
stage)
c. Decide on which form your data should be presented, in form of a table or a
particular graph. Decide if a drawing might be included (e.g. for the
instrumentation, a diagram of how the instrument works can should be included
prior to stating your results). If you add instrument schematics in the
introduction, do not repeat it here.
d. Once you decided on the figures, write concise but short figure legends for each.
For tables, come up with a short, concise title. Make sure that the data
representation is adequate. Check axis labelling and plot your data in a suitable
range of x- and y-axis values. Also check that the axis labels including numbers
are legible. Provide a suitable legend for each figure (e.g. in color and/or symbol
shape).
e. Next, write a short paragraph about the main outcome for each data table and
graph.
f. Then amend these paragraphs with the discussion.
i. What are the errors associated with your measured data?
ii. Compare to literature values and discuss if your result is similar or
different to reported literature values. (At this point you can make
placeholders for references, if you have them available. Later rework the
entire document to number references consecutively.)
iii. If you results deviate significantly from the literature, explain why.
g. Now find suitable wording to connect your paragraphs to make it a “story”.
Include a short first paragraph before the results and discussion to explain the
purpose of the experiment.
3) Write the Conclusion section:

a. After having finalized the results and discussion section, summarize the
experiment in a short 1-2 paragraph conclusion.
4) Write the Introduction section:

a. Because you have a clear picture of the experiment and its outcomes at this
point, write an introduction that contains a background about the experiment
and procedure/method used and why it is important. Explain the chemical
reactions occurring in the experiment (if appropriate). Include references in this
section for the cited methods and other original literature you use in this section.
5) Insert Reference Numbers in consecutive order in the text and list the citation at the
end of the document in consecutive order. Follow ACS style for the references. You can
use a reference editor for this purpose (Refworks, Endnote, Mendeley, etc. )
6) The very last section is the Abstract. Once all is written and in order, write the abstract.
It will give a short motivation of the work and a very short summary of the outcome
(results). The abstract is one paragraph long.
7) Organize your work: If you find that the flow in the introduction or results and
discussion section is not good, change the order and/or improve the transition between
paragraphs. You may include headings for specific sections to organize your work. Put
yourself into the position of an editor and criticize your writing. Can you understand
what you wrote, and does it make sense?
8) Check your work for Grammar. Use your text editor for grammar check or an online
source. The report needs to be written in third person.

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How to write your Full Laboratory Report

Goals: Write a scientific mini-paper with all sections, including:

How to start? – Follow this order and the associated explanations:

2) Write the Results and Discussion section:

3) Write the Conclusion section:

4) Write the Introduction section:

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