Lab reports - how to do them

Abstract
- 100 to 200 words summary of the purpose of the report, the data presented, and the author's major conclusions.

Introduction
- Define the subject of the report: "Why was this study performed?"Answers to this question may be derived from observations of nature or from the literature.
- Provide background information and relevant studies: "What knowledge already exists about this subject?"The answer to this question must review the literature, showing the historical development of an idea and including the confirmations, conflicts, and gaps in existing knowledge.
- Outline scientific purpose(s) and/or objective(s): "What are the specific hypotheses and the experimental design for investigation?"What is the specific purpose of the study? The specific hypotheses and experimental design pertinent to investigating the topic should be described.

Materials and Methods
What materials were used? 
How were they used?
Where and when was the work done? (This question is most important in field studies.)
        Describe special pieces of equipment and the general theory of the analyses or assays used

Results

• Concentrate on general trends and differences and not on trivial details.
• Summarize the data from the experiments without discussing their implications
• Organize data into tables, figures, graphs, photographs, etc. Data in a table should not be duplicated in a graph or figure
• Title all figures and tables; include a legend explaining symbols, abbreviations, or special methods
• Number figures and tables separately
  and refer to them in the text by their number, i.e.
  1.        Figure 1 shows that the activity....
  2.        The activity decreases after five minutes (fig. 1)

Discussion

• Interpret the data; do not restate the results
• Relate results to existing theory and knowledge
• Explain the logic that allows you to accept or reject your original hypotheses
• Speculate as necessary but identify it as such
• Include suggestions for improving your techniques or design, or clarify areas of doubt for further research
• suggest future experiments that might clarify areas of doubt in your results

General style

• Strive for logic and precision and avoid ambiguity, especially with pronouns and sequences
• Keep your writing impersonal; avoid the use of the first person (i.e. I or we)
• Use the past tense and be consistent within the report
  note: "data" is plural and "datum" is singular; species is singular and plural
• Italicize all scientific names (genus and species)
• Use the metric system of measurement and abbreviate measurements without periods (i.e. cm kg) spell out all numbers beginning sentences or less than 10 (i.e. "two explanations of six factors").
• Write numbers as numerals when greater than ten (i.e. 156) or associated with measurements (i.e. 6 mm or 2 g)
• Have a neutral person review and critique your report before submission