More on Lab Reports: Can You Make Two Grams?

Formal lab reports should be type-written; some instructors even dictate the font and type face. The first item is the title, usually centered on the first page.  Next, is a section with background information about the lab.  For example, a report on a stoichiometry lab should include an explanation of stoichiometry, and for this lab, precipitates.  Lab reports have several pitfalls; one is that too often background information is lifted, cut and pasted into the report instead of being paraphrased or quoted.

The materials and procedures should be written in complete sentences rather than bullet points.  For example, "The materials include the following: two beakers, a glass stirring rod, 50 mL of distiller water, a filtration assembly, and 2.9 grams of calcium chloride."  Note that ideally the report is written in the third person, present tense, active voice, and indicative mood.  Students may use the past tense instead.

The balanced chemical equation may be neatly hand written; typing in subscripts and formulas can bring students to tears.  Some of my students have simply written the word eqypuation in their reports.

The results should be concise.  For example, "There are 2.4 grams of precipitate."  Explanations, possible sources of error are confined to the discussion.  If more than two grams of precipitate are recovered, one potential source of error is that the precipitate is still wet or the mass includes the filter paper.

One standard conclusion is "More study is indicated."  Students might conclude that more trials are indicated or a different combination would produce more precipitate; the acetates are always tricky.

Kids find lab reports onerous.  I assign mine to coincide with their two least favorite labs.  Then, they won't hate lab, just stoichiometry.