Attached is an example layout and instructions of the report. Here is the typed instructions from the professor. Measurements and instructions aswell as tools used in the experiments are also included in screen shots.
The first section of the report is the purpose or introduction. Pretend the reader is ignorant about
what we’re going to do in the experiment. The layout of the introduction is similar to the entire
report’s layout. We should start in more generalized terms and become more specific as we work
towards the end of the introduction. I suggest beginning with a qualitative and quantitative
definition of density. Then state why density is an important concept. Near the end of the
introduction, state the substances we will find the density.
The procedure is straightforward. We should include enough detail so that the reader can repeat
the experiments and obtain similar results. Do not copy the HOL text verbatim. Also, do not
quote the procedure. We should paraphrase. In nonfiction writing, do not use quotes unless we
are quoting an expert in the field and are attributing the English wording to the expert. It is best
to paraphrase.
Next, we need to include data in tabular form. We should notice that I provided the units in the
row or column headings in the template. Therefore, it is not necessary to give the units after each
entry.
The last section is the discussion of the results. State the calculated density for each substance.
Then, state if it is reasonable. For the liquids, also state the percent error. Now we must discuss
two possible sources of error and how they affected the calculated densities. I suggest comparing
the magnet by the direct method and the displacement method. More than likely, you obtained
two different densities. Which density is more plausible? Where do you think you made the
error? The other error you should discuss is for the liquids. Because you have no reference value
for comparison, I would not discuss the metal bolt. At the end of the discussion section, we need
a few sentences to summarize. Because the report is brief, we are not trying to summarize the
full report. Rather, we are letting the reader know he or she has come to the end of the report.
Often, students will end the report by discussing errors. Without a summary, the reader may
think that part of the report was accidentally omitted
Redrence: Labs, H. O. GOB-Laboratory Techniques and Measurements.
