LAB REPORT GUIDE

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE LABORATORY REPORT

Laboratory experiments should be studies, performed and reported with the same care, neatness, degree of accuracy, and completeness as required by practicing engineers and engineering technicians.

Each report should be an accurate account of the work. It should be clear, concise, and complete. Try to keep the body of the report to two pages in length. This means you MUST write concisely and omit excessive verbage (filler). Consider you are a practicing professional, and write the report as though your were giving your supervisor a clear idea of the experiment and results. The report should be written in third person, past tense.

SECTIONS OF THE REPORT

Abstract. The abstract is a brief summary telling what, when, where, how, why, and the results of the laboratory experiment.

Example: On August 20 2007, a laboratory experiment was conducted inthe fluid power laboratory of Western Carolina University to determine the effect of piston area on system pressure. In theory, pressure will increase as piston area decreases, based on Pascal's law which states P=F/A. A linear hydraulic circuit was constructed on the Vickers T-11 trainer to observe the difference in actuator pressure during extension and retraction. Results from this experiment showed an increase of 150 psi during retracting as compared to extension (yielding a 2:1 ratio). Similarly, the area during the retraction phase was calculated to be approximately one-half that of the cap side during extenstion. Overall, results of this experiment support Pascal's law.

Purpose. This section provides more detail as to what was investigated during the experiment

Objectives. Explicitly details what outcomes will be reported. (There should be one outcome for every objective stated).

Terms and definitions Define terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader, or that could be interpreted to have a different meaning from the context of the experiment.

Background Theory. Briefly describe the principles illustrated by the experiment. State what the expected outcome of the experiment was, based on theory.

Description of Apparatus. Provide specifications, manufacturer, and model number of the equipment used. State specifications and accuracy of test instruments. Show diagrams if needed.

Procedures. Give a summary of the method of test, not necessarily a step-by-step enumeration. Be explicit enough so that someone reading your report could repeat the essential aspects of the experiment. Don't give directions; tell what was done using past tense.

Results. Present the results (and results of calculations) in table or graphical form. If appropriate, show accepted or rated values for comparison. State errors or efficiencies. Give estimates as to how much error could be due to tolerances or inaccuracies in equipment or instruments. There should be one result for each stated objective.

Conclusions. Interpret the results (what they mean with respect to the background theory). Point out any discrepancies and account for them.

References. Include author(s), title, publisher, number of edition (if more than one), year of publication, page numbers used. References should be on a separate page and follow APA format.

Example:

Holman, J.P.(2001). Experimental methods for engineers, New York: McGraw-Hill (2^nd. Edition). pp.370-373.

Appendices. Each Appendix should have a title page (e.g. Appendix A - Laboratory Recorded Data).

A. Provide sample calculations in the following order:

Formula

Formula with data substituted in, then answer with units (underlined).

Original data sheets

Supporting material and handouts

Label all appendices. This includes data sheets.

General Guidelines

* Use past tense and complete sentences.

* Avoid personal pronouns (e.g. I, we …etc.)

* Define all abbreviations used in the report.

Example: The Rotating Linear Actuator (RLA) reached maximum load.

Do not confuse the terms data, results, and conclusions. Data include any
Measurements that were recorded in the lab (must be included as an appendix).
Results are those measurements or calculated values answering the specific objectives of the study. Conclusions reflect a decision based on what was shown by the results.

Significant figures. Too many numbers beyond the decimal point are meaningless
and the number should be rounded off. Generally, the fewer the number of
significant figures, the more curd the measuring device. The number of digits
retained should not exceed the inherent accuracy of the equipment used.

Accuracy. This generally refers to the measuring device. It represents how well
they do their jobs. The accuracy of a measuring device is identified as a percent of
full scale while the accuracy of a measurement is expressed as a percent of the
reading.

Efficiency. This term generally refers to engines, generators, pumps, and other
energy conversion devices. It represents how well they do their job. It is expressed
as (output / input) X 100%.

Graphs and Tables:

Title - Should be centered at the bottom of the figure explaining what the

figure is depicting.

Example: Figure IV - Flow Rate versus System and Reducing Valve Pressure.

Layout - The independent variable will always be on the horizontal axis,
while the independent variable(s) will appear on the vertical. A common
independent variable is "time".

Scale - Both vertical and horizontal axes must be annotated with scales
which are integers. In general they should be even multiples of 2, 5 or 10.

Labels - The vertical and horizontal axes of graphs must have labels
(e.g. Temperature, Pressure, etc.) and appropriate units (Deg. F, psi, Newtons,
Amps, etc.).

Plotting Curves - Smooth curves represent analytical results. Experimental
information should be shown on curves as actual data points. Multiple
dependent variables should have different colors or symbols.

Figure IV - Flow vs. Pressure Through System And Relief Valve.

The following shows a suggested two page layout. Shaded areas indicate approximate
space when following described guidelines.

Name: ______________________________________ Lab Section ______ Date Due_______Date Submitted _______

Title of Laboratory: __________________________________________________ Lab Partner____________________

Abstract (15 points)

Purpose (5 points)

Objectives (5 points)

Terms and definitions (5 points)

Background Theory (15 points)

PAGE 2 OF____
Description of Apparatus (5 points)

Procedure (5 points)

Results (10 points)

Conclusion (20 points)

Format/Grammar/Spelling (including references and appendicies) (15 points)

PAGE 3 OF____

References

PAGE 4 OF____

Appendices