How to do a practical write up?

Question 1

What should the length of a practical write up be?

Answer 1

3 pages per practical (including figures and references)

Question 2

What should the general layout of a practical write up be?

Answer 2

Title
Introduction
Methods/ procedure
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Question 3

What should the intro to a practical write up include?

Answer 3

review theory (use previous works if appropriate)
State aim/ objective
Reason why it has been conducted

Question 4

What should the method/ procedure to a practical write up include?

Answer 4

Record of what was done (steps followed and equipment used)
What variables recorded or observations made
Type of instrumentation used
Detail so can be repeated (more concise use reference with same method)

Question 5

What tone should the lab report be written in?

Answer 5

Third person continuous prose

Question 6

What should the results section of a practical write up include?

Answer 6

factual description of results obtained
table and graphs with accompanying prose
No interpretation of results just signposting figures and tables within text

Question 7

What should the discussion part of a practical write up include?

Answer 7

Analyses and interpret info from results section
Have achieved aim
Proven or disproven hypothesis

Question 8

How can results be presented instead of raw form?

Answer 8

Summary or average
Highlight trends (which compliment aim)

Question 9

What should the conclusion to a practical write up include?

Answer 9

Summary of previous info mentioned with NO new info

Question 10

What should the references section in a practical write up include?

Answer 10

a list of references referred to in report