01/08/10

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Please follow the Example Lab Report [.DOC] to prepare your lab reports (5~10 pages). Consider the following points when preparing your reports (the sample lab report document and the following points are based on the Example Lab Report and ELEC 441 Lab manual):

1. The Title page:

   includes:

   • Complete information. Know your session number. Including incomplete names like "Ralph R." is a dead giveaway that you didn't really work together on the report.

   misses:

   • Pictures, borders, fancy typefaces, etc. Spend your time quality content, not fluff.

    

2. The Abstract (300 words max):

   includes:

   • Numbers! An abstract does not have to be vague in order to be concise. If you have a numerical result, state it in the abstract.

   • The description of the method is specific, even though it is not detailed.

   misses:

   • References. An abstract should be self-contained. Abstracts are designed to go into data bases separate from their accompanying paper.

   • Equations. Equations and text-only data bases don't get along. Avoid all but the simplest equations in an abstract.

    

3. The Introduction:

   includes:

   • Background material directly related to the experiment. This is the section that places the rest of the report in context.

   • This example is rather short. You can include equations in this section, if you need to develop a theory that your experiment is going to demonstrate, in which case the introduction would be longer. However, the recommended location for theory is the experimental data and analysis section.

   misses:

   • Very general statements and facts not directly related to (or covered in) the experiment.

   • Details of the experiment. Save that for the experimental setup and procedure section.

    

4. The Experimental Setup and Procedure Section:

   includes:

   • Not only the "whats" but the "whys." For example, the model number of the camera is important, because it is an 8-mm format, because that determines the resolution of the measurements. The model of the basketball is important, because of the material from which it is made, etc.
   • Details about the experiment. Include dimensions, units, etc..
   • Paragraphs. This section should not be a numbered list of steps.
   • Line drawings. A picture is worth a thousand words when describing an experiment, and a good line drawing is much more effective than the best photograph.

   misses:

   • Step-by-step instructions. For example, there is no description about how to operate the video camera. This section is not a repeat of the laboratory writeup.

    

5. The Experimental Data and Analysis Section:

   includes:

   • Sample data in a table. A representative set of a larger data set can be useful to explain your methods, but present raw data sparingly.
   • Complete data in a graph. A graph is the way to display a large data set.
   • Equations. You can also explain the theory behind the experiment in the introduction. Choose the location that makes reading your paper the clearest.

   misses:

   • All of the raw data. Do not display all of your raw data in a table, unless the data set is very small. Do not put lots of unprocessed, raw figures (graphs).

   • Reference to a graph or table in the appendix.

    

6. The Discussion Section:

   includes:

   • Interpretation of the results. Are the results valid, and if so, over what limits?
   • The largest source of error. Identify the largest source of error or uncertainty in the experiment, explain why it is the largest uncertainty, and describe what you could do to improve the experiment.

   misses:

   • A laundry list of errors. A shotgun approach ("It could have been this, it could have been that, etc.") doesn't demonstrate that you understand the experiment.
   • Unsupported opinions. If you can't support what you say with your data, then don't say it.

     All of the raw data. Do not display all of your raw data in a table, unless the data set is very small.

   • Reference to a graph or table in the appendix.

    

7. The Conclusion:

   includes:

   • Numbers. If you get a numerical result in the experimental data and analysis section, re-state it in the conclusion.

   misses:

   • Editorial comments. If you have an opinion about how long the lab took, how well the equipment worked, etc., express it to your instructor directly.
   • "I learned a lot about...". If the lab was well designed, you did learn a lot, but that is not a valid conclusion. Limit your conclusions to those that you can support by your data.

    

8. The References:

   includes:

   • Archival references. Archival references are published references that the library could get if you asked them to.

   misses:

   • URL's (Web addresses). Web pages are no substitute for archival references. There is good, reliable information on the Web, and there is garbage. Even the reliable information may not be there tomorrow. If all of your research was done over the Web, you have done an inadequate job.

    

9. The Acknowledgements:

   includes:

   • Anyone who helped with, but did not write, the report.

   misses:

   • References to articles. You acknowledge people or organization, but you note documents you used in your references.

    

10. The Appendix:

    includes:

    • Use appendices for program code, long printouts, or data tables that are important to verify your results but unnecessary to the flow of your report. Also include here any original sheets with data entries, circuit designs, etc.
    • Your report has to be understandable and consistent if the reader does not go through the appendix.

    misses:

    • Important statements, discussions and conclusions.
    • Figures (graphs) or tables referred to in the main body of the report.