OBIO1105 LAB REPORT: CHEMISTRY
Sections required

Date/course code
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

REFER TO THE MARKUNG SCHEME TO SEE WHERE YOU MARKS WILL BE AWARDED.

Scientific wording and format
ALL text should be past tense, third person. (“the cuvettes were filled with the reagents”).
Avoid informal English (isn’t, can’t – use “investigated” not “looked at”)
Do not cut and paste any text. If you reproduce a diagram, give the source.
Proof-read and spell-check your work.
There are no prizes for extra length.

Abstract
A short version of the entire report.

Introduction
The introduction provides the reader with the background to the work documented in the report. This section should set the scene for what is to follow. Reference all the ‘facts’ you cite from other people’s work. In this task, this can be textbooks, online materials, etc.
A diagram or two is usually helpful. Give each Figure a title, define ALL abbreviations in it, and acknowledge the source if you copied it.
In summary, the introduction should include:
• a background to the subject
• aims for the work that will be presented in the lab report
• reasons why the work is being conducted (comment on potential industrial, commercial uses of the compound to be analysed)

Methods
Describe what you did briefly, but in enough detail for a knowledgeable scientist to repeat what you did – BUT do not reproduce the protocol, i.e., write in prose and do not cut and paste from the lab schedule. Remember all text should be written in the past tense, third person. (eg. “the cuvettes were filled with the reagents”)

Results
The results section of a lab report contains an impartial description of the results obtained from the experiment, typically presented as tables or graphs, and observations that were made. At this point in the report, interpretation of the results should not be performed. Carry out calculations as necessary and show your working. Refer to your marking scheme.

Discussion
The purposed of a discussion section is to answer the questions:
• What do the results mean?
• Do they answer the questions the experiment was to investigate?
• Where are errors introduced? What are potential sources of error?
The discussion section is used to analyse and interpret the information presented in the results section. Mention should be made of whether the results achieve the aims that were mentioned in the introduction.

Conclusion
The conclusion is a short review of that which has been deduced from the work conducted. It is an opportunity to restate the aims or key questions and to summarise the key points raised in the results and discussion sections. No new information should be given in the conclusion that hasn’t been stated previously in the document. Proposals for further work or potential improvements identified during the experiment can be suggested in the conclusion.

References
For this task, at L4, a selection of text book references and appropriate online materials would be sufficient. If you reference a website, look at the source dispassionately and think whether you trust it: All sources must be cited in the text of your document.
Refer to a Harvard reference scheme.