Formal laboratory reports will be written in the following format:

TITLE: A short name for the experiment.

OBJECT: A one or two sentence statement of what is to be done.

INTRODUCTION: A one to two-page overview of the experiment, expected results (hypothesis), previous work (properly cited), and chemical equations or reactions where appropriate. It is good practice to include the relevant scientific laws and principles. Any related background material given out by instructor must be written in the introduction and properly cited in the references.

PROCEDURE: Include the actual pages from your laboratory manual or make a proper citation to those pages. Include any changes made during the laboratory session. Cite the laboratory manual as a journal, not a book.

DATA/OBSERVATIONS/CALCULATIONS: Your conclusion will be based on this section. Include the report sheet from your laboratory manual. Include ALL observations of color, odor, bubbles, etc. Although neatness is always a good idea, completeness is essential. This section should also include data from class averages or data used for comparison when needed. A sample calculation showing the algebraic set-up and all units is essential. When many similar calculations are done, only one sample is necessary.

DISCUSSION / CONCLUSION: Using your data, state whether or not the objective was achieved, and whether any hypotheses are confirmed. If the objective was not, or was only partially achieved, go back to the data and procedure and consider each step. Be sure to compare your results to class data, references, your partner. Look for errors* in measurements, laboratory manipulations, contamination, and calculations. Note all sources of failure and write these in your conclusion. Suggest improvements in the procedure. Suggest further work which could stem from the results you obtained.

REFERENCES: At least two separate sources which are not dictionaries, properly cited in this section, are required for the report to be acceptable for a "C". Your laboratory manual and textbook qualify; however, for your report to be considered for an "A", you must ADD at least two outside sources which are NOT dictionaries. Suitable sources are the various science encyclopedias in the reference section of the library, the Merck Index, Physicians Desk Reference, magazines, journals, and other texts. Typically, sources will be copied and distributed in lab. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE YOUR TEXTBOOK AND LABORATORY MANUAL AS REFERENCES AND THE TWO SOURCES GIVEN OUT IN LAB. You may ADD any other sources to these four required

The citations MUST follow the format shown, and the reference must be cited in the text of the report where the information is used. Cite references consecutively by number. See the example report. This is the method used in Science Magazine.

*

Errors: These are not mistakes such as reading a ruler incorrectly or adding numbers improperly. Errors are difficulties in estimation, assumptions made, inherent problems with instruments or measuring devices, etc.

Journals: 1. Jones, J.R. and Smith, W.J., Outlook in Chemistry, 18, 133, (1988).

Note that the reference includes the author(s), title of journal enhanced or underlined, volume (if available) enhanced or underlined, starting page, year. USE THIS FORMAT WHEN CITING YOUR LABORATORY MANUAL.

Books: 2. Simms, P., "Blonds in Football", 2nd Ed., (Giant Pub. Co., Moonachie, NJ, 1987,) pp. 20 39.

Note that the reference includes the author(s), title of book in quotation marks, edition number (if not the first edition), publishing company with address, year of publication, and pages used for reference.

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Other requirements for formal laboratory reports.

1.Type on one side only of 8 1/2 by 11 white paper, either lined or unlined. Report sheets and procedures from the laboratory manual may have print or writing on both sides. Reports must be typed.

2.Use a CHEM 100 folder on which are written your name, section number, social security number, and report title.

3.Type double-spaced. The instructors are final judges of legibility.

4.Staple the report sheets together in the correct order.

5.Write your name on the report as well as on the folder.

6.Submit reports on time for full credit. Three points will be deducted from the grade for each day the report is late.

LABORATORY REPORTS WHICH DO NOT FOLLOW THE ABOVE FORMAT AND REQUIREMENTS MAY BE RETURNED UNGRADED. CORRECTIONS MUST BE MADE WITHIN 7 DAYS OF RETURN TO RECEIVE A MAXIMUM GRADE OF B. REPORTS NOT CORRECTED AND RETURNED IN 7 DAYS WILL RECEIVE AN E (55).