The practicum report is a complete description of your experiment. This report is used to explain and analyze the experimental procedures carried out and the data obtained. In it there are many important sections, such as hypotheses, lists of tools and materials, as well as experimental raw data arranged in a certain format.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Completing the Prepracticum Report
Step 1. Specify the title of the report
This title is the name of the laboratory or experiment you are carrying out. The title of the report should be concise and clear.
Some teachers and/or classes require a title page. This title page contains the name of the laboratory or experiment, the name of the student conducting the experiment in the laboratory, the name of the supervisor in the laboratory used, and the date the experiment was conducted
Step 2. Define the problem you are researching
Decide what you will try or test. This is the "goal" of the study. Why are you doing this experiment? What will be learned from this experiment? When you explain the purpose of the experiment, be clear about what you will gain from the experiment and what you would like to know.
- This section should also provide an introduction to the experiment. Include background information that supports the experiment, important definitions, theoretical background, and history of the experiment, and the general method to be used.
- The purpose of the experiment should be stated in one sentence. This sentence can also be a question sentence. Sometimes, the trial supervisor will give you the purpose of the experiment.
- An example of an experimental objective statement would be: "The purpose of this experiment is to determine the boiling points of different compounds using three different samples".
- An example of an experimental objective in an interrogative sentence is: Will a mixture of red and blue paint make green?
Step 3. Determine the experimental hypothesis
A hypothesis is the expected outcome to solve a problem in a theoretical experiment, or an estimate of the experimental outcome. Basically, a hypothesis is an estimate of the outcome of a study based on a theory that you believe will be the result of an experiment. Hypotheses are based on prior knowledge or experiments. You don't make an estimate of the experimental results without any basis to back it up. The hypothesis does not have to be true. You make an experiment to find out the truth.
- The experimental hypothesis must be stated in a sentence.
- Use the phrase "if this happens, then so, because of this" to write down your hypothesis. The phrase "if this" will be the thing you change, "then so" will be the result you get. "Because of this" would explain why the reaction occurred.
- An example of a hypothetical sentence would be: "If I throw a ball from the 15th floor, it will break on the road".
Step 4. Make a list of tools and materials
The next step is to write down the tools and materials used in a concise and clear list. Be sure to list all tools and materials used. With this list, anyone can repeat your experiment and confirm your stated results.
- Some trial supervisors may allow you to refer to a particular book if experimental tools and materials are included. You can write this down: See page 456 of the book "Chemical Laboratory." Check with your supervisor before writing a list of tools and materials in this way to make sure he or she allows it.
- Tools and materials must be written in complete sentences. Write them in the order you use them.
Step 5. Explain how your experiment works
Write down the experimental steps you took throughout the experiment, as well as the measurements you took. It works in the form of a step-by-step procedure in the laboratory. Be sure to write down the precautions to take when conducting the experiment.
- Write down all experimental variables in detail. Controlled variables are variables that do not change throughout the experiment. While the independent variable is the variable that you will change throughout the experiment. This should be stated in the hypotheses section. The dependent variable is the variable that changes because of the changes you make to the independent variable in the experiment.
- How the experiment works should be written in paragraph form, not in a list. This section should be written as a written explanation of what you are doing, not a series of experimental instructions.
- The key is to write it clearly. You should make sure to provide detailed explanations, so that anyone can perform the same experiment, and explain the steps in easy-to-understand sentences, in detail. Just be careful not to give too much explanation, and provide information that is not related to the experiment.
- The workings and list of tools and materials can be put together into a single paragraph. Be sure to find out what the trial supervisor prefers before you choose one.
Part 2 of 2: Completing the Postpractice Report
Step 1. Experiment
Experiment with the workflow, using your tools and materials. You must complete all the steps described in Part 1 before starting your experiment. Completing prepractice reports, such as listing tools and materials, and how they work, will give you a clear idea of what will happen during the experiment. Writing out your hypothesis, objectives, and introduction will help you understand the experimental results, and not change your hypothesis based on the experimental results.
Step 2. Record the results of the experiment
This section contains the raw data obtained during the experiment. You must record the data you obtain clearly and logically. Collect and group data so that it is easy to read and understand.
- This section contains a table or graph of the data, as well as any notes you made during your experiment. Data tables should be clearly marked, and all units of measurement should be recorded. When using graphs, use an X or O and don't use dots. Make sure the X-axis is marked with the experimental variable.
- There are two types of data that you can get. Qualitative data is data that can be observed, but has no value in the form of numbers. You can observe this data with your five senses. Quantitative data is data that can be measured by certain numbers. Examples of quantitative results are length in centimeters, weight in grams, speed in kilometers/hour, as well as density, volume, temperature, and mass.
Step 3. Discuss your results
In this section, you should analyze the experiment. Translate the experimental results by explaining them, analyzing what they mean, and comparing them. If something unexpected happens, try to estimate the cause. Make a hypothesis about what might happen if a variable in the experiment was changed.
Step 4. Accept or reject your hypothesis
In conclusion, explain whether your hypothesis is true or false. Use the data obtained in the experiment to support the reasons for your rejection or acceptance.
- Are there some conclusions that can be drawn from the experimental data? If so, be sure to state it. Also explain other conclusions.
- An example of a hypothesis rejection would be: "Our hypothesis is wrong. Cakes cannot cook at higher temperatures for less time. In our tests, cakes were still raw when they were removed from the oven."
Step 5. Include the error that occurred
Be sure to include incorrect data, or data that is extreme, and does not match other data. Discuss the reasons that support the possibility that the data is incorrect. State what you could change to improve the quality and accuracy of the experiment.
Tips
- Ask your teacher for directions to determine which report format to use.
- Check your report twice, once to check its format, and once to check its contents.
- Choose a laboratory that you know well, and are confident in. Then write down even more details.
- Use the APA or MLA format, or whatever format your trial supervisor requests, to record external data. Always cite your data source.
- Most lab reports should be written in the passive voice and in the third person point of view. In English, this report must also be written in the present tense, while the past tense is used to describe specific methods and observations, or to write down previous experiments.
- Never cheat on a practicum report. This could result in your grades dropping or you being expelled from class.
