Quantitative Reports

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The laboratory report is the vehicle used to present results to the instructor. All lab reports will include a cover page as well as the NCR pages from your notebook. For quantitative labs the report includes plots of data, spreadsheet analysis, and a written conclusion. The specific format for Qual reports is given on another page. The format for Quantitative Reports is given below:

A cover page that includes the title of the experiment, your name, your instructor’s name, lab section, and the date submitted.
All the completed spreadsheets for the experiment. Depending on your instructor, they may want one or all of the following:
- Upload the completed spreadsheet to the Assignment on moodle.
- Print out (some or all) of the tabs of the template spreadsheet with your data.
- Print out (some or all) of the tabs of the template spreadsheet showing formulas (pressing CTRL-` on your keyboard).
Sample calculations with units must be clearly presented in your notebook (press firmly). Perform the calculations that convert your raw data into final results. Proper units must be used throughout the calculations. There should be a sample calculation for any requested formula in any spreadsheet. Identify your sample calculation with the column and row number of the spreadsheet location. Your instructor will generally provide a list of cells for which sample calculations are required. Your instructor may allow you to re-copy the sample calculations on to a separate piece of paper for clarity.
A sample of each different plot generated by MicroLab or by other means. Each plot is to be given a figure number, title, and caption as well as having the axes labeled with appropriate scale and units. Some labs may require additional plots generated during data analysis.
Several paragraphs (typed) of conclusions summarizing your experimental results and the answers to any questions posed in the experimental write-up or by your instructor. This conclusion section should be drawn from your results of the measurements and data analysis. Your instructor will usually provide extra information about what to write about in the conclusion, but a general list of requirements is provided below:
1. State the purpose of the experiment and what was done to arrive at your result (no more than a sentence or two).
2. State the main result of the experiment, and provide the values (including units and uncertainty) of the determined quantities.
3. Identify possible sources of error and uncertainty in your measurements. How did these affect the accuracy and precision of your results? Mention any problems that may have arisen and/or ways to improve the experiment.
4. Provide context for the meaning of your results within concepts from lecture that were illustrated. What important techniques were learned?
5. Answer any additional discussion questions provided by your instructor (in class or on moodle).
NCR copies of all notebook pages for the experiment.