EXPECTATIONS IN LAB REPORTS

Lab reports will be written the same format we use for scientific papers and for student senior, MS, and PhD theses.
One goal is to work on your ability as a science writer.
Let me emphasize science.
So often we are obsessed with the technical details of the measurements that we don't cover the science adequately.
The following elements are needed for your lab report to be complete.
Page length doesn't matter; it's all about the contents.
Make it as short as possible to get the message across in a clear manner.
Number the pages.

Title: The title should cover the science objective and maybe mention the instrument(s) used for the measurement.

Abstract: The abstract is a brief discussion of the findings of your work. It should be well written because it is often what is read as someone makes a decision to read your work (or fund your research).
Hint on writing abstracts.
Another discussion of abstract writing.

Introduction: Explain the scientific goal in more detail, and how it fits into the larger picture.
Discus the sensors being tested, including how they work.
Discuss the theory used for obtaining observations, including equations (see below for how to do equations).

Methods: Discuss the measurement methods, including uncertainties as appropriate.
Discuss the instrument(s) and the pertinent information needed to convey what you measured.
Discuss the circuitry used for measurements, with circuit diagrams and photos of breadboards.

Observations: Display your observations and interpret them for your reader.
Make clear, legible graphs with large fonts, clear symbols, uncertainties, and clearly documented results.
Photographs of atmospheric phenomena should include the type of camera (or cell phone) used and the date and time of the photograph should be included in the figure caption.

Conclusions: The conclusion should summarize your observations and perhaps make suggestions for future work.

References: References refer to specific articles and/or books, etc, that you reference in your paper.
Here's an example of a sentence with a reference to a journal article.
"These aerosol disturbances in the field of UV radiation can lead to substantial changes in tropospheric photolytic reaction rates

(Castro et al. 1997), which may influence VOC photo-oxidation pathways."
Here's how the reference appears in the reference list at the end of the report.

Castro, T., Ruiz-Suárez, L.G., Molina, J.M., Ruiz Suárez, J.C., Montero, M.: Sensitvity analysis of
UV radiation transfer model and experimental photolysis rates of NO2 in the atmosphere of Mexico City. Atmos.
Environ. 30(4), 609–620 (1997). This table gives instructions for using with EndNote online with Microsoft Word.

Manage your references

Endnote web: how to use it with your UNR net ID.

Steps:
1. Goto the endnote link, make an account, then download the plugin for MSword. Choose the reference formats you want to use.
2. To find references, use this web of science link and save them to Endnote.
3. MSword should now have a tab for Endnote. You can add references. MSword will keep track of your references with the Endnote plugin.

NOTE: Figures and equations should be placed where they are first needed and mentioned in the text.

Figures:
Figures should be placed in the text as close as possible to where they are first described.
Provide figures, each figure with a number and caption.
Figures must be in publication format -- high quality figures with 16 point (or greater) bold black font; tick marks inside.
All axes should be at least 1 point thick and black.
Each figure must be discussed in the text by number, describing the significance of the figure and its relationship to other figures as needed
Discuss figures in order, first discussing Figure 1, then Figure 2, etc. A reader encountering Figure 11 first would wonder what happened to the rest of them.


Equations:
Equations should be placed in the text as close as possible to where they are first described.
Equations should be offset, as in a textbook, and each equation should have a number.
Refer to equations by number in the text
.
Equations should be made with an equation editor so that they look professional. We will go over that in class.

Here is an example of some hints I found using a google search with the keyword "how to write a scientific paper".

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE LAB REPORT

HERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE LAB REPORT