The Experiment reports or Experimental reports are those carried out in laboratories once a scientific experiment has been carried out.
Science students of any level (secondary or university) must present such reports, which collect the most important data of the experience. Thus, from young people comes in contact with the scientific research method.
These reports allow the experiment data to be available to other scientists who wish to work in the same area.
In this way, new researchers can use the experimental report as a basis for new studies or they can repeat the experiment to verify the truth of this.
Experiment reports follow the model of the scientific method . Its essential part is the introduction, the objectives and the hypothesis, the theoretical framework, instruments and other materials used, methodology, presentation and analysis of the results, conclusions, bibliographies and annexes.
Experiment reports and the scientific method
Experiment reports are intrinsically related to the scientific method, so it is necessary to define the latter in order to understand the relevance and scope of these reports.
It is understood by scientific method to the set of processes and techniques through which a researcher poses a problem.
This problem is concretized in a hypothesis that will be evaluated in the light of certain scientific experiences. Once these experiences have been properly analyzed, results can be obtained to solve the initial problem.
It should be noted that the scientific method does not guarantee the solution of the researcher's problems, but it is a practical, feasible, objective and organized process. This is why the sciences follow.
Structure of an experiment report
In the definition of the scientific method that has been proposed in the previous section, some elements of the experiment reports are shown.
Namely, the problem, the hypothesis, the analysis and the results. These are essential parts of the report.
I. Preliminary pages
In the preliminary pages, the main research data are presented. These are:
- Title
- The author (s)
- The university or institution that sponsored this study (if any)
- The summary of the research, in which the hypothesis, objectives, methodology and results are presented in a few words. According to the scope of the research, this summary can be presented in two languages.
- Keywords, which are the general words with which the research is related.
II. Introduction
In the introduction, the author delimits the investigation. It presents the general data of interest and then specifies what will be its object of study. It is in the introduction that the researcher proposes his problematic and his hypothesis.
The problem
The problem is the question around which the report of the experiment revolves. This can be structured in one of the following three levels:
- The doing, and it will be a practical problem.
- Knowing, and it will be a theoretical problem.
- The saying, and it will be a linguistic problem.
The hypothesis
The hypothesis is an assumption that the investigator makes around the problem. It is an"anticipated truth"since it is presented as an affirmation.
However, the hypothesis should not be taken for granted until the experiment has been carried out.
III. goals
The research objectives are the steps that must be taken to solve the problem. In this sense, the objectives propose actions whose fulfillment will shed light on our problem.
IV. Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework contains the bases for research. Here, we include theories, similar investigations, antecedents and definitions important for the understanding of the experiment to be executed.
This section of the experiment report entails a documentary research process. It is necessary to take the source from where the information has been extracted so as not to incur plagiarism.
V. Methodology
In this section, all the elements that refer to the research method are included, that is, how it has been carried out.
Reference should be made to the subjects studied, the materials used, the procedure, the design and the experimentation.
Subjects
They are the individuals participating in the experiment, and they are the object of study. It can be a human population, animal, plant, among others.
In the methodology, the number and characteristics of these subjects should be included.
materials
They are the elements that are used to be able to realize the experiment. Instruments (such as measurement instruments) and substances (such as reagents) are included.
Process
It is the general explanation of what is intended to be carried out in the subjects.
Design
The variables that affect the research are included.
Experimentation
It is a description of the moment in which the experiments and studies are realized to verify the hypothesis.
In this stage, it is experimented with each of the subjects, it is determined if there are differences between the reactions of these and how the variables influence these differences.
SAW. Presentation and analysis of results
In this phase of the research, the data obtained in the experimentation are organized. These can be presented in tables, graphs or both.
Once the results have been presented, they should be analyzed. In this way, the data will not be just random numbers but will be accompanied by a linguistic explanation that will facilitate their understanding.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
The conclusions are the interpretations that the researcher makes once he has analyzed the results.
Here he reaffirms his hypothesis in case the results have proven to be true or refutes if it turns out to be false or unverifiable.
VIII. Bibliography
The bibliography is one of the most important sections of the report, because it gives theoretical support to the research. In this, the sources are collected that were consulted throughout the investigation.
IX. Attachments
It includes extra data that help to better understand the experiment, images, additional tables, among others.
References
- Steps of the Scientific Method. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from sciencebuddies.org
- Scientific method. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from en.wikipedia.org
- The scientific method. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from khanacademy.org
- Laboratory report. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from writing.engr.psu.edu
- An example laboratory report. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from udel.edu
- How to write a lab report. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from thoughtco.com
- The lab report. Retrieved on August 2, 2017, from advice.writing.utoronto.ca.