Lab report: summary
time to complete: 15 minutes
We are going to start with the summary. Remember this section can also be called abstract or executive summary.
The summary of a lab report should include:
- the background context
- the aim of the experiment
- the procedures followed and equipment used
- the results that were obtained
- any observations made
- the findings drawn and the impact those findings have towards fulfilling the original aim
Adapted from Beagles et al. (no date)
Task 1: Read the summary of a lab report and identify which of these elements it includes.
Determination of the Spring Constant and Natural Frequency of Bungee Cord for Varying Applied Load
Ben G. Cord
12th September 2010
Summary
An experiment was carried out to measure the spring constant of a piece of bungee cord for a range of applied loads. The results were used to calculate the variation in natural frequency. The natural frequency for a particular load was measured experimentally and compared with the predicted natural frequency, calculated from the spring constant. The two values were found to be in good agreement.
Adapted from Beagles et al. (no date)
Now, do the task to check if you were right.
the background context | n/a |
the aim of the experiment | to measure the spring constant of a piece of bungee cord for a range of applied loads |
the procedures followed | As indicated in the order and verbs:
|
equipment used | a piece of bungee cord, applied loads |
the obtained results | natural frequency for a particular load; predicted natural frequency |
any observations made | The two values were found to be in good agreement. |
the impact those findings have towards fulfilling the original aim | n/a |
Task 2: Look at the summary again and identify the verb forms. What tense are they in? Are they in the active or passive voice?
Summary
An experiment was carried out to measure the spring constant of a piece of bungee cord for a range of applied loads. The results were used to calculate the variation in natural frequency. The natural frequency for a particular load was measured experimentally and compared with the predicted natural frequency, calculated from the spring constant. The two values were found to be in good agreement.
Summary
An experiment was carried out to measure the spring constant of a piece of bungee cord for a range of applied loads. The results were used to calculate the variation in natural frequency. The natural frequency for a particular load was measured experimentally and (was) compared with the predicted natural frequency, (which was) calculated from the spring constant. The two values were found to be in good agreement.
As you can see, this section is written using the simple past and the passive voice. As it is a summary, tenses reflect those used in the report’s original sections. The passive voice is used because the focus is on what happened (the action), not who did it (the agent).
Advice
Although the Summary is the first section in your lab report, you will not be able to write it until you have finished your report!