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DP Chemistry Lab Format (Title)

Introduction: Why you chose this experiment.
Research Question: identify in this section a focused research question that is in
the form of an actual question.
Scientific Background: What is the Science in your investigation? Do you have a
good understanding of what you might find? You should have scientific research to
support your ideas. Make sure you keep a record of your research for your
Bibliography.
Variables
Independent Variable: What are you changing? How?
Dependent Variable: What changes as a result and what are you measuring?
Controlled Variables: All the aspects of the experiment that must be kept constant
to ensure that the tests/experiment is valid. There will be several of these not just
one! You must be thorough and think of as many controlled variables as you can.
That said, dont include controlled variables that arent significant. For example if
youre measuring the growth of yeast then the temperature definitely needs to be
controlled (assuming temperature is not your independent variable) but the same
location is not going to be a significant factor. You must explicitly indicate how each
controlled variable identified in your variables section was controlled. Make sure you
refer to equipment you are using, as well as quantities of chemicals.
These are the variables I need to control:

This is how I will control them:

Uncontrolled Variables:
If you cant actively control a variable then you should include a means of monitoring
it and the effect it has on your results (the effect on the dependent variable).
These variables are uncontrollable:
Effect on my results:

Chemicals needed:
Chemical

Hazard

Precaution

Disposal

Materials Needed: You need to have a detailed and thorough list of equipment used
in your investigation. Make sure when writing up your equipment list that you include:
The sizes of glassware such as beakers, flasks, etc.
The concentration of chemicals (eg hydrochloric acid, 2.0 M).
The amounts of chemicals (eg magnesium, 0.50 g).
The range of a thermometer (eg 20C to 120C)
The amount of each solution (eg 200 mL)
Apparatus: One clear diagram drawn with pencil and a ruler and labeled, showing
how the equipment is set up.
Procedure: Clear instructions on how to carry out your procedure, with reference to
your variables. Written in point form.

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General Observations:
Raw Data:
Qualitative (Observations) & Quantitative (numerical values). Make sure you record
raw data in tables and include it in your lab report. Raw data is the actual data
measured in your experiment. Ex: If you are interested in the change in temperature
of a reaction, record the initial and final temperature as seen below:
Initial Temp:18C 0.5C
Final Temp: 49 C 0.5C
Temp. Change:: 31 C 1.0C
The temperature change is a result of processing the data and cannot be recorded
as raw data. Dont mix quantitative and qualitative data in the same column if you
have both.
Independent variable
(units)
(uncertainty)

Dependent variable (units)

(uncertainty)

General observations

Processed Data:
When you take the data and do something to it, like find averages, slopes, changes,
standard deviations, etc. this is processing the data. Processed data should also be
placed in tables in your lab report and then converted to graphs. Make sure you
process the raw data CORRECTLY!
Independent variable
(units)
(uncertainty)

Dependent variable (units)

(uncertainty)

Calculations/statistical
analysis/other relevant
data processing

Graph: Either a clear labeled graph drawn in pencil, or a computer generated graph
showing a grid and clear points and best fit lines if appropriate. Make sure that you
include units with your titles and error bars on your graph.
Calculations and presentation of calculations: can your data give you further
information if it is put through a formula or otherwise manipulated? Will it affect your
graph? You should give at least one example of how you have done calculations. Be
sure to also calculate theoretical values for your results.
Uncertainty Calculation: A value that is in error or is incorrect. It is not a true measure
of reality. A value can be entirely correct but, no matter what, it can only be measured
to a certain limit of precision to only so many decimal places. This limit of
precision is quantified as the uncertainty.
The uncertainty for a piece of apparatus is either printed on the apparatus (ex:
burette, volumetric glassware) or as a general rule of thumb is half the smallest
measurable or cited value. Ex: If a balance can measure to two decimal places (0.01
g) then the error in a mass reading with this balance is 0.005 g. An exception to the
uncertainty being half the smallest instrument value is when using a stopwatch.
According to the display you can measure time to the nearest 100th of a second
(0.01 s) with our stopwatches. Based on this the uncertainty would be 0.005 s but
somehow I doubt our reflexes are this good. A more reasonable value would be 0.5
seconds.

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Concluding Statement and Explanation: Once the data has been processed and
presented in a suitable form, the results can be interpreted, conclusions can be
drawn and the method evaluated. You are expected to analyze and explain the
results of your experiment. A valid conclusion is based on the correct interpretation of
your data. This is why data collection and processing is so important. Conclusions
should be clearly stated and related to the research question and purpose of the
experiment. Justify how the conclusion follows from the results. Quantitatively
describe the confidence you have in your conclusion. When measuring an already
known and accepted value of a physical quantity, students should draw a conclusion
as to their confidence in their result by comparing the experimental value with the
textbook or literature value in the form of a percent error. The literature consulted
should be fully referenced. Percent error is not an absolute value. The positive or
negative direction of the error informs your analysis of error.
Conclusions that are supported by the data are acceptable even if they appear to
contradict accepted theories. However, make sure you take into account any
systematic or random errors and uncertainties. Analysis may include comparisons of
different graphs or descriptions of trends shown in graphs. The explanations should
contain observations, trends or patterns revealed by the data.
Evaluation of Procedure and Results
Evaluate weaknesses and limitations. Do this by analyzing your sources of error.
Distinguish between systematic and random errors.
Are there flaws in the procedures used which could affect the result?
Were important variables not controlled?
Are the measurements and observations reliable?
Is the accuracy of a result unknown because of a lack of replication?
What assumptions are being made?
You must suggest improvements to the PROCEDURE. Complaining about not having
enough time or being disorganized has nothing to do with the procedure. You need to
suggest a minimum of 3 significant improvements. You must explain why the
improvements will lead to a reduction in systematic or random error.
Suggestions that lead to increased precision are only worthwhile for experiments that
require precise measurements.
Suggestions such as collect more data, while valid and should be included with an
explanation when appropriate, are fairly obvious and on their own are insufficient.
Some suggestions such as be more careful are lame. All youre saying with a
phrase like this is that you were careless on the day.
** Mistakes - errors should not be confused with mistakes, such as spilling half of the
chemical you just carefully weighed to the nearest milligram between the balance
and volumetric flask. If a mistake is made, you just have to start again. As far as your
evaluations go, you do not need to mention or discuss mistakes we all make them.
Problem with procedure

Effect on results

Improvement

Further Investigations: What other directions could you go with your investigation?

References: If you use someone else's ideas in your lab report you need to
acknowledge them. This includes in-text referencing and a works cited page

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(bibiliography). In science we use APA format so all lab reports and citations should
be done in this manner.