Comments on Report Writing

Laboratory reports (or memos) are due at the next laboratory period following the experiment. Reports will generally consist of the following items, unless otherwise specified.

1. Title Page
2. Introduction
3. Objective(s)
4. Procedure
5. Results
6. Calculations
7. Discussion of Results
8. Conclusion(s)

A brief description of each of the above sections can be found below.

Title page should include the experiment title, the course number and section, your research group number (and creative name), the date the experiment was performed and submitted, the name of each group member contributing to the completion of the report, and your instructor and TAs name.

The introduction should inform the reader of the basic subject area of the experiment. Thus any background information that the writer feels is necessary to understand the report should be included in the introduction. The introduction prepares the reader to understand the objective of the experiment.

The objective is a brief explanation for performing the experiment.

The procedure gives a brief explanation on how the apparatus was used to perform the experiment. This is often a numeric list of steps.

Calculations: This section should contain the calculations performed in the experiment. If the calculations section is very large, please put it at the end of the report. This will make the report much easier to read.

A concise summary of all the Results should be included. This summary should be given in tabular form, especially if comparisons are being made between experimental and handbook or theoretical values.

It is common practice to compare experimental results to reference values by using either percent error or percent difference calculations. % error = abs[ (xmeasured - xaccepted) / xaccepted ] (100) % difference = 2 abs[ (x1 - x2) / (x1 + x2) ] (100)

Discussion of Results: Keep it brief and cover only significant items. This section should address the question: "Are the results reasonable based on all of the information available to you?" Explain!

Computer generated items including:

• graph(s)
• a copy of the experimental data set (e.g. load vs deformation)
• a copy of the calculated data set used for the graph (e.g. stress vs strain)
• a print out of the least squares parameters if required (This may be on a separate sheet from the graph, or if your software permits it, print it directly on the graph.).

Conclusion(s): This should state the findings of the experiment.

Miscellaneous Information

All graphs must be computer generated, and be at least 1/2 page in size. If the software you are using does not permit complete documentation, then you may add by hand any necessary commentary on the graph sheet.

All computer output must be originals, no photocopies.

Include a copy of your original laboratory data sheet in your report.

List any references used, especially any source of "handbook values". When referring to handbook values of physical or mechanical properties DO NOT refer to them as: actual values, true values, or theoretical values unless they are precisely that. Reference source values of physical and mechanical properties generally convey typical values, representative values, average values, or sometimes estimated minimum values.