How to Write a Results Section for a Lab Report
The results section of a lab report is the part in which the scientists write about the data they got during an experiment. The results section shows all of the data and graphs the scientists got during their experiment, and they discuss the trends in the data. Here's how you can write a results section of a lab report.
Instructions
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Decide how you want to present your data. In general, graphs and tables are the easiest ways to show information. You might use a table if you are showing many different kinds of data, such as percentages, raw numbers and yes/no categories. A graph is good for one kind of data, such as how the number of fish in one lake changes over time.
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Make your graphs and tables. You may choose a line graph, a circle graph or a bar graph. Make sure you know the difference between them before you try to put one in your lab report.
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Look at your graphs and tables and figure out what trends exist. Your trends might show that something increases over time or that something decreases over time. On the other hand, your trends may show that one thing does not affect another. When this occurs, the data is considered to have "no relationship."
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Write about your trends. Basically, the results portion of a lab report will discuss what the graphs and tables show you. Explain how different parts of your data are or are not related. After you complete your explanation the results section of your lab report is finished.
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Tips & Warnings
If you plan to use statistics to show how closely two variables are related, you should do this during the first step. Statistics can help you to decide which pieces of information to use. However, if you're writing this report for a lab class, you might have to include all of your data and not use statistics at all.
Do not discuss why your data shows trends. Your results should only point out the trends. If you want to talk about why something occurred, you can save it for the conclusions.
