To access a lab, click one of the links on the left side of the page.

Notes on Report Writing [pdf]

Example of a Scientific Report [pdf]

Notes on keeping a laboratory notebook

Least Squares Linear Regression Script [.m file]

Avoiding Common Errors in Lab Reports

Below are some notes to help you improve your lab reports.

1. Always define variables used in equations. Remember that the reader hasn't seen the lab information sheet that you used for guidance.

2. It is a good idea to number tables and figures, and then refer to them in the text. For each figure and table, you can include a small caption that briefly describes its contents. This increases readability. When the table information is scattered throughout the text, it becomes harder to follow the discussion.

3. All measurements have units. These should always be stated whether they are in tables, figures, or the text.

4. Always label the axes of any graphs you include.

5. When quoting an error (e.g. slope A had error of S_a), you should quote the confidence limit. If it is a standard error from a regression, this will be a 67% confidence, i.e. one standard error. Often it is better to quote the error at a 95% confidence, or two standard deviations, which would be 2*S_a. What you are then stating is that you are 95% confident that the slope is within the range [A-2*S_a,A+2*S_a].

6. When quoting a slope or intercept, or indeed any parameter from a regression analysis, look at the error in that parameter to give you an idea how many significant figures you need to include. For example, if the regression returns a value A=1.00054872 with an error 0.00010239, then you can write A=1.00055+/-0.00010, because you certainly have no confidence in the extra digits.