Writing Lab Reports

Table of Contents

This website provides a section-by-section guide to writing a lab report and includes instruction and examples for content, structure, and writing strategies. Although the focus is on lab reports written in the biological sciences, most aspects are applicable to all science disciplines. We will continue to develop this site and expand resources for other disciplines. Click on the links below to visit the guide sections. For a closer look at writing style in the sciences, visit our Science Writing webpage.

Why and how to write a lab report

• Overview

Major sections: IMRAD

• Introduction
  • Hypotheses and Predictions
• Methods
• Results
• Table and Figures
• Discussion

Additional sections and requirements

• Title
• Abstract
• References
• Appendices

Report writing strategies: a little forethought goes a long way!

• Using an outline
• Writing sequence