Suggested Format for Lab Reports .......... to Prof Wade's Main Webinfo Page ......... rev. 7/19/04

The report should include the following sections:

• Cover Page:
  Do not include your "social security number" or "table #". The information on lines after "Instructor:" may also be left blank. All the rest of the information must be filled in. You may substitute a page you have typed in a word processor for the standard cover page as long as it has the same information in approximately the same place on the page.
• Introduction:
  Include the purpose for doing the experiment and any theory behind the experiment.
• Equipment List:
  Include model number and serial number of all equipment used. If you used a simulation program, include the name and version number of the program. (In your report be sure to make it clear what data was taken using components, what was simulated, and what was calculated.)
• Method, Results and Explanation: (may be combined all in one or split up, as you wish)
  This is the main section of the report
  • The procedure you followed; 
    For all electronic circuits: how you wired the circuit; what voltages or signals were applied and where. What voltages or other parameters were measured and how they were measured. Complete circuit diagrams must be included (including pin numbers of IC’s).
    For procedures involving microprocessors: What programs were run for each part, what the organization behind the way you wrote the program was and (as appropriate) what each program step does.  Commented print outs of all programs must be included showing both mnemonics and the corresponding machine code (".LST" files).
  • The results you got from your measurements: Present your data in a neat, organized fashion. Be sure to clearly identify which data goes with which experimental procedure. If any calculations were performed on the rough data, explain clearly what was done including detailed sample calculations. For microprocessors what the data  in the registers and/or memory was that showed that the program ran as you expected. If print outs of memory or registers are included, indicate the significance of the various locations. 
  • The theoretical results you expected. Also how you got those theoretical results -- show calculations.  (You may want to present theoretical results as part of the same table with the experimental results.) Be sure you clearly indicate which results are experimental and which are theoretical.
  • Whether the results and theory agreed; if not, some possible explanations (in accordance with theory) of why they don't.
  • Any other observations based on the data. In the discussion of the data is a good place to include the answers to any questions that are asked in the lab sheet. 
• Rough Data: (goes at end).
  Attach the signed rough data from the experiment (unless your data was very neat and was used as part of the previous section).
• Printed experiment sheets: (attached at the end of the report).
  You may reference these pages but they may not entirely replace your writing.

COMMENTS:

• Be sure you have answered all of the questions that are asked on the lab sheets. Those questions are designed to help you cover the most relevant points in your discussion of the data. They are to be answered as an integral part of your write up; there should not be a section of "answers to questions". In all cases the question should be answered as part of a narrative which includes the question asked, not just "yes" or "no".
• READ YOUR REPORT after you have written it. Make sure it makes sense! And make sure it does what was said in the first sentence on this page.

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