In this module you will find general tips on how to structure and write a laboratory report. Performing laboratory exercises and writing reports are key elements in subjects within science and technology. However, reports can still be written differently depending on the subject you are working with.

Always ask your teacher if you are in doubt on how to structure the report or about the scientific content.

Before- and during the exercise

It is important to be prepared before the practical exercise. It will be easier to perform the exercise and also writing the report afterwards. You can start preparing a good report already before you enter the laboratory!

Study the procedure carefully.
- (Certain parts of the procedure might be easier to understand when standing in front of an instrument or a reagent etc., but you still learn a lot from studying the procedure on beforehand).
Which results are you expecting?
Risk assessment.

You can start preparing the report already before the exercise in the laboratory. The introduction and theory are parts of the report you can start writing on beforehand.

Tips! Take notes during the exercise. It will be easier to remember what you did and why, and easier to write the report afterwards.

This is especially important if you do something that diverges from the procedure. It is quickly forgotten if you do not write these kinds of details down.

Is the experiment going according to the plan?
Do you obtain unexpected results?
Did something happen during the experiment that can affect the results / that can explain unexpected results?

Notes from the exercise are often very useful while writing the report!