Guidelines in the Preparation of the Laboratory Report

(Updated as of 2018-Nov-07 1151H)

by

Dennis Noel Garcia de Lara

School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
Mapúa University

The laboratory report should contain the following pages of information:

1. Title Page

The title page contains the following centered information, each on a newline:

a. Experiment Number, “Experiment 1:”

b. Title of the Experiment

c. “Prepared and Submitted by”

d. Complete Names of the Experimenters, with Student Numbers (longest name
centered, other names left-aligned with the longest name)

e. “Submitted to”
f. To Whom the Report is Submitted (Complete Name of the Professor)
g. Department Affiliation of the Professor
h. University Affiliation of the Professor

i. “Venue of the Experiment: ” Venue

“Date of the Experiment: ” Date the Experiment Was Conducted, yyyy-mmm-dd
“Date of Report Submission: ” Date the Report Was Submitted, yyyy-mmm-dd
longest line centered, other lines aligned with the longest line at the colons “:”

The experimenters should each sign the report in all the pages.

2. Table of Contents

The table of contents contains the following information, each on a newline:

a. “Table of Contents”, centered

b. Heading Numbers, Heading Titles, Heading Pages

Heading numbers on the left side should be right-aligned at the period “.”.
Heading titles after the period “.” should be left-aligned.
Heading pages should be right-aligned.
 3. List of Acronyms, List of Symbols/Variables, List of Figures, List of Tables, List of
Equations

There must be a list of acronyms, if acronyms are used in the report. Acronyms must be
defined before they are used in the text.

There must be a list of symbols/variables, if symbols/variables are used in the report. All
variables and symbols used in the report must have a name, must be clearly defined, and
their SI units clearly indicated.

There must be a list of figures, if figures are used in the report.

There must be a list of tables, if tables are used in the report.

There must be a list of equations, if equations are used in the report.

Each of the lists must have the same format as in the table of contents.

4. Summary of the Experiment

This portion of the report summarizes what the experiment is all about and what actually
transpired during the conduct of the experiment.

It also states the objective of the activity, and/or statements of the problem, or what is
desired in the scientific exercise.

It should also describe brief profiles of the experimenters/students in the activity.

It should also describe the work contribution of each experimenter/student in the activity,
accurately expressed in a table.

It is an executive summary of the report.

5. Description of the Apparatuses Used in the Experiment

This portion of the report lists down all the equipment, apparatuses, tools, etc. used
during the conduct of the experiment. Each equipment, apparatus, tool, etc. is described
in terms of its model/serial number, its main function or use or purpose in the experiment,
its importance or relevance in the given experiment, and other relevant information.

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 6. Method of Testing/Procedure/Methodology

This portion of the report describes the particular processes and procedures employed in
the conduct of the experiment. It describes the testing procedure employed.

Each numbered procedure or process or step done in the activity must be stated clearly,
accurately, and precisely, specifying the equipment and materials used and corresponding
amounts or volumes, and the name of the process.

A brief description of theories and principles applied as pertaining to the experiment must
be included in this portion, together with all the relevant equations, constitutive
relationships, statistical techniques used, etc.

Equations must be numbered, and written properly and accurately and clearly, based on
internationally accepted standards and/or LaTeX standards.

7. Tables and Figures/Graphs of Data and/or Results

This portion of the report presents the data gathered during the experiment in terms of
tables, figures and graphs, and employing statistical means.

Figures must be numbered and have captions below the figure.

Figure captions should adequately and accurately describe the figure.

Tables must be numbered and have captions above the table.

Table captions should adequately and accurately describe the table.

The data should be coherent with those found in Preliminary Data Sheets.

The data gathered and presented should be accurate and precise.

Data should be presented with both the numerical value and the corresponding SI unit.

The gathered and calculated data should adhere to principles of significant figures and
measurement uncertainties.

8. Discussion and Interpretation of Data and Results

This portion of the report discusses and interprets the data and results gathered during the
experiment.

Concise, in-depth, coherent discussions are desired.

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 9. Conclusions

This portion of the report states the conclusions arrived at based on the data gathered and
the results and findings of the experiment. It must answer the problems/objectives stated
in the summary page.

10. Recommendations and Technological Advances

This portion of the report suggest recommendations to further improve the conduct of the
activity.

It also discusses some problems and issues that were encountered during the activity, and
how they can be addressed in case the activity is repeated.

This portion must also describe new technological advances that are currently available
as regards to the particular experiment, e.g., new equipment, newly-discovered theories
or process methodologies, new materials available, or new/alternative mathematical
models and techniques that can be used to analyze or solve the problem.

11. Appendices

This portion of the report presents appendix materials like the actual Preliminary Data
Sheets (to be glued) on a page of the report.

Long equations or formulas, or very detailed tables, or long discussions of principles and
theories may also be included here.

12. References

This portion of the report lists down all references used in the activity.

A consistent reference format is desired.

The following reference information are important: authors/editors/translators, book

titles, series titles, edition, volume/number, publisher, date and place of publication,
ISBN, ISSN, DOI, URL, etc.

Books
Journals
Serials

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The left footer of each page (except the first page) should contain the following information:

a. experiment number
b. title of the experiment

The right footer of each page (except the first page) should contain the following information:

a. page number
b. total number of pages of the report

Paper Size: 8.5in x 11in

Paper: If you use printable scratch paper, +5pts.
If you use brand new, clean bond paper, +0pts.

Top Margin: 1in

Bottom Margin: 1in, exclusive of footers
Left Margin: 1in
Right Margin: 1in

Text Font: Times New Roman is preferred.

Text Size: 12pt.
Text Leading: 1.0

The text of the report must adhere to correct english grammar and diction, and proper subject-
verb tense agreements.

Do not staple the pages.

Do not put the report in a folder or envelope.

Faithful adherence to these guidelines will earn merits.

Non-adherence to these guidelines will earn demerits.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Psalm 127:1

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