Department of Engineering

<Title of Lab>
Report from a laboratory experiment conducted on <Month, Day, Year>
as part of <Course Number: Course Name>

<Student(s) Name(s)>
Department of Engineering
Univeristy of Mount Union
1972 Clark Avenue
Alliance, Ohio 44601-3993

<Submission Date>

Abstract
Abstracts are very short; they are usually one-third page long, and they are
results and conclusions-oriented. The abstract primarily describes in order
the problem or goal, the method and the result. It does this in perhaps four or
five sentences, and those four or five sentences generally describe the contents
of the main format section of your report: the goal or problem statement, the
result, the methodology and the analysis. In short, your abstract should provide
one-sentence answers to these questions:
1. What problem was addressed?
2. What result was obtained?
3. How was the study conducted?
4. How was the data evaluated?
The sample abstract below was prepared for a capstone project report, and it
demonstrates all of the features required in an appropriate abstract:

Sample Abstract
This project determined the thermal characteristics of a high density
polyethylene and of a particular type of Styrofoam, two materials commonly used
in manufacture of drinking cups. Since the goal of such cups is to insulate the
contents, the thermal properties are important factors in cup design.
The thermal conductivity of the Styrofoam was found to be 0.14 W/mK. The
thermal conductivity of the high density polyethylene was found to be 0.448
W/mK.
These values were obtained by experimentally measuring the temperature of
a liquid held in each cup as the cups were exposed to a hot water bath. These
experimental values were then used to calculate thermal conductivity. [Jeter and
Donnell]
Note: the above text is indented because it is a direct quotation from the reference

1 Introduction
The introduction gives an idea of the overall topic and purpose of the report, and
provides an overview of its contents. Avoid getting too detailed but rather orient the
reader to the report first. The following two sections can be delineated or simply
included as separate paragraphs.
1.1

Objectives

State the objective of the experiment (not the learning objectives) in one or two
sentences. This may be a restatement of the objectives included in the prelab
documentation provided the prelab is included in the reference list.
1.2

Background

Provide the information needed for the reader to place the objectives in proper
perspective and any work including classroom discussions leading up to the
experiment. Use the background to provide the reader with an idea of why the
experiment was performed and an understanding of the experiment.

2 Theory
A concise description of the relevant theory should be provided when the theory is
needed to understand parts of the report, such as the data analysis or discussion. The
relevant equations should be introduced and all the terms to be used in the report
should be defined [Louisiana Tech University]. The theory may be included in the prelab
or the lecture or possibly neither if the lab is a discovery lab.

3 Experimental Methods
3.1

Setup

Provide a description of the experimental setup. A neat, correct, and clear

schematic or picture can also be included if it assists the reader in understanding the
setup. A short textual description that refers to all parts of the schematic or picture
should be included. This section should include sufficient information for the reader to
recreate the experimental setup.

3.2

Procedure

Describe the experimental procedure in sufficient detail for the reader to perform the
experiment and verify the results. This should be written in paragraph form and include
steps or comments not included in the prelab procedure.

4 Results and Discussion

Present the results of the experiment and an interpretation of those results. Results
are typically presented in tabular form, as in Table 4.1, or graphical form, as in Figure
4.1, and need not include the raw data. All items requested in the prelab documentation
in the Data Analysis section must be include in this or the following section of the
memorandum. This should be the longest section of the report.
Table 4.1: Example of a Table with Caption
Criterion
Low Cost

At Home

Restaurant A

Quiet
Minimal Prep
Food Choices
Minimal Travel

Parents House

5 Conclusions
Briefly present the conclusions based on your results. Relate the conclusions to the
objective of the experiment and also place them in broader context if appropriate. This
section can also include recommendations for future work on the topic or changes that
would make the experiment more relevant

Figure 4.1: Example of a Figure with a Caption

References
1) Jeter and Donnell, Writing Style and Standards in Undergraduate Reports,
College Publishing, 2004, pp. 13-14.

2) Louisiana Tech University, www.coes.latech.edu/tutorials.

Enter references in this section noting that each should be cited at least once in the text
of the document.

Appendices
Organize additional information into one or more appendices with attention to ease
of navigating the appendices (i.e., make it as easy as possible for the reader to find
specific information), and clarity in conveying the information (i.e., do not just throw
figures, tables and sketches in without descriptive captions and as needed brief text to
accompany them).
Appendices can include items such as
Data Tables
Sample Calculations
Equipment List
Raw Data Sheets (you filled during the lab)
However, the reader should not have to constantly refer to the appendix to understand
the report.