How to Write a Formal Practical Report

1. How to Write a Formal Practical Report

2. Aim • The aim is what you want to find or accomplish (1-2 sentences) • Eg, The aim of this experiment is to investigate the top speed of certain remote control cars.

3. Hypothesis • What you think will happen (1-3 sentences) • A good hypothesis is written in terms of the independent and dependent variables. • Eg, If[I do/change this]-independent variable then[this-dependent variable] will happen. • This statement does not need to be correct, it is just what you think will happen.

4. Hypothesis Practice • Write a hypothesis for each of the following purposes. • To test whether carrot seeds or tomato seeds germinate quicker. • To test whether sourdough, multigrain or white bread goes mouldy the quickest. • To test whether Trigg the dog likes dry food or fresh food better.

5. Hypothesis Practice • If carrots and tomato seeds are planted at the same time, then carrot seeds will germinate quicker. • If sourdough, multigrain and white bread are all placed in a moist plastic bag, then multigrain will go mouldy the quickest. • If Triggs is given a choice of dry food or moist food, then he will eat the moist first.

6. Materials • List all the materials, in dot point form or sentence form, used in the experiment.

7. Method • Explanation of how the experiment was attempted in 3rd person, i.e. NO “I” “WE”. • Try to use complete sentences rather than short statements. • Steps taken is acceptable. • Try to avoid obvious statements, Eg “turn on the power.”

8. Results • The results is simply stating what you found in a table or graph. • No discussions of results, just a brief sentence of what your results are. • Eg, Table 1, shows ___________. • Independent and dependent variables must be titled and the variables units.

9. Results Table • Must include a description of the table, above the table • Easy way is independent variables (with title and units) go in first column, and dependent variables (trials) go in other columns. • No units in numerical cells.

10. Results Graph • Must have title, describing the graph below the graph (caption). • Independent variable (x-axis) must be labelled with units. • Dependent variable (y-axis) must be labelled with units. • Different trials must be colour coded with a key or legend. • Try to scale your numbers in order, rather then draw dots, on a specific number.

11. Results Practice • Using the results below, draw an appropriate table and graph. Mining Temperatures Mine A Depth surface 300m 700m 1km Temp 15oC 28oC 49oC 62oC Mine B Depth surface 600m 1.5m 3km Temp 20oC 25oC 37oC 55oC

12. Results Practice Table 1: Temperatures in two different mines at increasing depth.

13. Discussions • The discussion is where you discuss your thoughts and findings on the experiments. • Answer any questions. • Discuss any problems or errors, or things you would do differently to improve results.

14. Conclusion • The conclusion sums up the report, it directly addresses the aim and hypothesis of the experiment. • Eg, did you find what you wanted to find? • 3rd person NO “I” “WE.” • 2-4 sentences