Scott CoffelDirector, Hanson CTC

Lab Reports Measure Your Ability to…

● Explain the purpose for conducting these experiments.

● Lead readers step-by-step through your methods.

● Display and discuss the results.

● Provide plausible reasons for readers to accept your conclusions.

Signs of Excellence:What Makes a Successful Lab

Report? A clear, concise, non-technical Abstract so that a top executive can

review and act on the report.

Introduction and Background and Conclusion sections that provide detail but remain general enough so that readers can understand main points even if they are not subject-matter experts.

Professionals in your field will understand Experimental Methods, Results and Discussion, and Appendices sections. Present your procedures and findings in a clear and complete manner that allows fellow engineers to easily duplicate the experiment.

Five Components of a Successful Abstract

Who requires these lab tests and why (Who requires these lab tests and why (present tensepresent tense) ) Purpose and scope of tests (Purpose and scope of tests (past tensepast tense)) How the tests were conducted (How the tests were conducted (past tensepast tense)) Results (Results (past tensepast tense)) Conclusion/Recommendation (Conclusion/Recommendation (present tensepresent tense))

The abstract is your lab report in miniature. Although it appears first, common sense dictates that it must be written last.

Grading: The Quality of Your Writing Matters

Your TAs will reward clarity, organization, college-level grammar, and proper formatting.

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Using APA: Examples of In-text and Reference List

CitationsIn-text:

The aluminum alloy 2024-T3 has a hardness of 120 The aluminum alloy 2024-T3 has a hardness of 120 using the standard Brinell hardness method (MatWeb, using the standard Brinell hardness method (MatWeb, 2007).2007).

Reference list:

Callister, William D. and Rethwisch, David G., (2008). Callister, William D. and Rethwisch, David G., (2008). Fundamentals of Materials Science and Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering(3Engineering(3rdrd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons, ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Inc.

Remember Write to specific audiences at different points in the report.

Write unified paragraphs and use precise subjects and verbs.

Cite your sources and include a reference page.

Explain what you did, how you did it, why you did it, and what you found. Your audience wants both clarity and analysis.

A Final Thought

Visit the Hanson CTCVisit the Hanson CTC We strongly advise you to sign up for an appointment to receive suggestions We strongly advise you to sign up for an appointment to receive suggestions for improving your lab reports. The Hanson CTC is located in for improving your lab reports. The Hanson CTC is located in 2224 SC2224 SC (in the (in the Student Commons). This semesterStudent Commons). This semester we are open―we are open―

Monday ― ― Friday, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/current-students/academic-support/hanson-center-technical-communication

Thank You