Overview of Scientific Lab Reports
PRELAB QUESTIONS: These are questions that help prepare you for the laboratory exercise.
PURPOSE: The purpose gives the objectives or goals of the lab.
QUESTION: It must serve a purpose and has to be testable and include independent and dependent variables. The
question should be specific and clear including all the information related to what you will be doing.
HYPOTHESIS: This is an educated guess based on observed facts that can be written using an If – then, because
format. The "if" statement should refer to a variable that is being manipulated in the lab. This is usually the
independent variable, which causes some sort of change to take place in the experiment. The "then" statement refers
to a prediction the scientists make about the outcome prior to completing the experiment. The "then" statement
makes reference to the dependent variable.
EXAMPLE: Suppose a balloon is placed in a chamber in which the pressure can be changed. An acceptable
hypothesis follows: “If the pressure on the balloon is increased, then the volume of the balloon should decrease,
because you add pressure when you blow up a balloon.”
Not all hypotheses will be written as If-then statements. All hypotheses should include your specific predicted
answer to the question AND support for your prediction.
MATERIALS: This should be a list of all equipment and materials used throughout the lab. Begin with a list of the
equipment needed such as beakers, balances, and pipettes. Then list the “consumable” materials such as the
chemicals and substances needed for the procedure. List specific amounts and types.
PROCEDURE: The procedure section is written in your own words in a stepwise fashion using an impersonal tense
when you are designing the lab. Each step should be numbered with left-hand alignment of each number. These
procedures should be specific so that another scientist could duplicate the same experiment. They must include
specifically how you will measure your dependent variable and specific amounts of materials used.
RESULTS: This is your quantitative data. This section usually consists of a table/chart, which will be filled with
numerical data as the experiment is performed. Calculated results are usually placed in this table also. Be sure to
include units of measurement with each piece of data.
OBSERVATIONS: This section needs to include details about what you observe outside of the quantitative
(numerical values) date that you collect. This may include properties such as phase, color, temperature, smell,
texture etc. This would be your qualitative data, not analysis of your results. Do not include a summary or repeat
quantitative measurements here.
CONCLUSION: This section requires the writer to take what was learned from the experimentation, analyze
the data, and draw a conclusion. You must cite your data as evidence that confirms or refutes your hypothesis or
scientific theory.
Your conclusion should …
- Summarize the data collected in the results of the experiment
- Draw a conclusion to the question that you were investigating (answer your question)
- State whether your hypothesis was correct or not
- Discuss at least one change that would improve the experiment. Be sure to explain how it improves
the experiment.
- Explain how the results could be useful.
Mrs. Brannon Name_________________
Physical Science Date _________________
Rocket Lab - Prep Activity
You are stepping into the role of a scientist and will use the scientific method to solve a simulation problem.
The makers of Alka-Seltzer are hoping to expand their product market and attract consumers to
purchase tablets for use in making children’s toy rockets. Through experimentation you need to
give the company some information related to making the rocket enjoyable and safe for children.
Think of a question that you could explore that would be beneficial to the company. We will work
through each step of the scientific method to provide valid advice to the marketing department.
You will complete this pre-lab activity to prepare for the lab experimentation that we will conduct in class. Be sure
to refer to the “Overview of Scientific Lab Reports” provided in this document so you can accurately complete each
part. Each step of the scientific method and report was modeled last class. Follow the examples. Turn in this
completed worksheet in homeroom to be graded. All experimental materials will be provided in class.
Purpose: Use the scientific method to produce a safe and enjoyable Alka-Seltzer powered toy rocket.
Proposed Instructions for the Toy Rockets:
How to make an Alka-Seltzer Rocket: One-fourth of an Alka-Seltzer Tablet is placed in a clear film canister
filled with 15 milliliters of Room Temperature water. Then the lid is quickly placed tightly on the canister. The
container is placed with the lid down. Finally the “rocket,” film canister, is propelled into the air.
Materials: Here are the materials that will be available:
3 clear film canisters, graduated cylinder (to measure volume of water), electronic scale (to measure
the mass of the tablets), filter paper (for use on scale), electric water heater kettle, thermometer,
second timer, meter stick, 100 ml of room temperature water in a beaker, 100 ml of ice water in a
beaker, 4 tablets of Original Alka-Seltzer, 100 ml of hot water.
[You do not have to use all of these materials.]
Question: What is the question that you would like to explore? It must serve a purpose and has to be testable with
the materials that are available in lab. The materials available are listed on the previous page in the materials
section. Think about one characteristic from the proposed instructions for the toy rockets that you could vary. The
question should be specific and clear including all the information related to what you will be doing. I should be
able to read this and know what you will be specifically testing in your experiment and the materials that you will
use. Your question should include your independent and dependent variables. (5 points)
Write a question.
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Hypothesis: What is a possible hypothesis for your question? Answer the question and include support for your
hypothesis (the “because”). (5 points)
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Pre-lab Questions: (10 points)
What is each of the following in the experiment that you would set up to answer your question?
Independent variable - _______________________
Dependent variable -_______________________
Controlled variables (or standardized variables) – (list at least 3)
_______________________
_______________________
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You will complete experimentation at school in class. Be sure to turn in this completed worksheet in homeroom.
