CHE 260 Lab Report Guidelines
CHE 260 Lab Report Guidelines
260 Thermodynamics
One report is required for each group performing an experiment. Part of the purpose in
assigning lab reports is to give students experience in writing reports which are comprehensive,
yet concise; a valuable skill for engineers. Copying of reports, in whole or in part, will be
considered plagiarism.
Reports are limited to a total length of 10 double-spaced pages. This includes all relevant
tables and figures. Do not use a font smaller than 12 pt. Reports should be written so that any
first year engineering student could understand the report, regardless of whether that person has
actually conducted the lab. The reader should understand what you have done, why you have
done it, and what you have concluded. Overall structure and writing quality will be factors in the
lab report mark.
(3%) Title: should be short, precise, and convey the point of the report.
(7%) Abstract: should summarize, in a few sentences, the content of the report – what you did
and why it was important. Points will be deducted for a vague or irrelevant abstract.
(10%) Introduction: state why the work reported is useful, where it fits into the bigger picture
of a discipline or science/engineering in general. State clearly the objectives of the experiment
you are conducting. Points will be deducted for irrelevant theory.
(10%) Experimental method: describe the apparatus and procedure used in the experiment.
Diagrams are encouraged where appropriate! Points will be deducted for missing equipment,
irrelevant information or vague descriptions.
Results: present the data obtained, including graphs where appropriate. Number and title graphs
clearly, and draw attention to key points in tables or graphs with a sentence. Points will be
deducted for missing equations, unidentified variables, irrelevant or unlabelled diagrams
and tables, missing units, improper use of significant digits, missing error values, missing
critical figures, confusing figures, figures that are not referenced in the text, missing data.
Discussion: interpret the data obtained, and explain how data corroborates (or does not
corroborate) with the hypotheses being tested. Explain what can be clearly understood from the
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results, and also the logical deductions you can make based on your results. Answer any specific
questions asked in the lab hand-out. Estimate the magnitude of systematic errors that could
influence results, and analyze the error – was it avoidable? What was the cause of error? Include
a short discussion of established theory or relevant research, and how this compares with your
work in the lab. How well has the theory been illustrated? Relate your results to your
experimental objectives, and if applicable, you can relate your outcomes to others in your lab.
Comment on the strengths and limitations of the experimental design. Points will be deducted
for irrelevant information or theory, error in theory, incorrect sources of error, sources of
error missing, insufficient discussion.
(10%) Conclusion: Sum up the results of your experiment in a short paragraph – what is
known as a result of the experiment? Points will be deducted for vague or irrelevant
conclusions.
(5%) References: list all of the documents that you refer to in your report. Number the
references sequentially in the text of your report, in the order of their appearance, and list them in
the same order in the references section of your report. Points will be deducted for missing
references and referencing format errors.
(20%) Overall Structure and Flow of Lab Report: The report should be easy to read and have
a logical structure. Ideas should be well –organized so that the reader can follow the discussion
easily and understand what was done in the experiment and how conclusions were drawn.
Other Reminders:
-Please keep in mind that demonstrating calculations is not necessary. You should include
important formulas and results, but detailed calculations are not appropriate for a formal lab
report
-You can summarize your procedure: use the main points, do not include every detail. Your
procedure in your formal report can be in paragraph or list form.
-The report should be written in a way that even those who hadn’t conducted the lab would
understand its purpose, procedure and what was discovered.
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Reference Examples:
If you are using your lab book or course notes, reference as follows:
Author OR Course Name. Name of Document. Year OR Year OR “Year Accessed
(2008)”