Author: Prof. Ann Anderson, andersoa@union.edu
Updated:
06 Jan 2013
This web page describes a number of different lab report styles used in Mechanical Engineering. Be sure to review the specific requirements of your professor!
Also review all of the helpful information on the Union College writing center home page at http://www.union.edu/Resources/Academic/writing/index.php
and check out the Writing
Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students
technical writing
page at Penn State:
http://www.writing.engr.psu.edu/
and Labwrite (a website designed to help you improve your writing): http://labwrite.ncsu.edu/
REPORT STYLES (click on link for more information):
The audience for this type of report is a practicing mechanical engineering who knows something about the topic (but has probably forgot much of it so he or she needs to have the relevant material reviewed). The text of this report should be approximately 5 pages long (the data and figures will take additional pages). It should be neat, legible, well organized and include the following:
Cover Sheet
- title of experiment,
date of experiment, your name, the names of your lab partners
Abstract
(1 paragraph) - An abstract
is an "executive summary" which briefly describes the experiment and states
the main findings. It summarizes the entire report in one main
paragraph. Write the abstract last but resist the temptation to copy chunks of text from other parts of the report. Your abstract should emphasize
the objective (why), procedure (how), results (what you learned) and significance
(why it is important). Be precise and specific.
A technical report is not a mystery novel – state your conclusion as soon
as possible!
Introduction (~1 page) - Include a brief introduction that explains the purpose of the report and the purpose of the experiment. The introduction should also include any other introductory/background information or theory that the reader needs to know. This is where you tell the reader what you did and why you did it.
Note on Verb Tense: The
experiment is already finished. Use the past tense when talking
about the experiment. The report still exists, use the present tense
when talking about the report.
Methods and
Materials (~ 1 page) - Use a paragraph form to describe
the steps taken to perform the experiment, describe measurement techniques
and discuss the apparatus (include diagrams or sketches of the apparatus - you may copy any diagrams that I pass out with lab material
but be sure to cite them).
Use your own words. Do not copy the procedure from the lab handout.
This is where you tell the reader how you did the experiment and
you describe the equipment and materials used to conduct the experiment. You should provide
enough information so that another researcher in your field could use your
description to replicate the experiment.
Results (however many pages it takes) - Present your results to the reader. Although results are usually presented quantitatively, you should always introduce each block of information with simple clear language. Include measured results, an estimate of the experimental uncertainty and any calculations used. In most cases it is sufficient to provide a sample calculation with clear explanation of the equations. Use tables and figures as necessary. All tables and figures should be labeled with a Figure/Table number and a descriptive caption. Presentation of results is extremely important so take time to determine the best way to present them. Compare your data to theoretical or empirical results.
Note on Graphics: In
Engineering reports we use Figures and Tables (not Graphs and Charts), Figure
captions should be numbered consecutively and placed underneath each Figure.
Table captions should be placed above each table.
Discussion ( ~1-2 pages) - Interpret the results of the experiment. This is the most important part of your report. Here you have the opportunity to show that you understand the experiment. You must explain, analyze and interpret your results. Discuss experimental and theoretical results and why they do or do not agree. Explain any errors. Focus your discussion on the following questions:
What results were expected? What results were obtained? If there were any discrepancies, how can you account for them?
Do any of your results have particular technical or theoretical interest?
How do your results relate to your experimental objective(s)?
How do your results compare to those obtained in similar investigations?
What are the strengths and limitations of your experimental design?
If you encountered difficulties in the experiment, what were their sources? How might they be avoided in future experiments?
Conclusion (0.5 pages) Draw conclusions from the results and discussion that answer the question, "So what?" Then go on to explain your conclusions with reference to the results that support the conclusions. In this section, you may also criticize the lab experiment and make recommendations for improvement. Such criticisms and recommendations, however, should focus on the lab as a learning experience; mere complaints about faulty equipment or amount of time spent are not appropriate.
References: Provide bibliographical information for any material that is not original and which you cited in the your report. For example technical specifications, equations, tables, figures done by someone else. Use the ASME citation style. See the following website for more information
http://www.asme.org/kb/proceedings/proceedings/references
http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/engineering/guides/asme.htm
Appendices: Appendices should include raw data, calculations, graphs, and other quantitative materials that were part of the experiment, but not detailed in any of the above sections. Refer to each appendix at the appropriate point (or points) in your report. For example, at the end of your results section, you might have the note, "See Appendix A: Raw Data "
Other: Be sure to use page numbers!
The audience for this type of report is your professor and she or he is already very well informed about the topic. I am reading your report for evidence that you understand the the objectives and conclusions of the lab. The text of this report should be approximately 2 pages long. It should be neat, legible, well organized and include the following:
Introduction
- Include a brief
1 paragraph introduction that explains the purpose of the report and the
purpose of the experiment. (~ 50 words)
Results
- Present your results
to the reader. Although results are usually presented quantitatively, you
should always introduce each block of information with simple clear language.
Include all measured and calculated results.
Discussion (~1 page) - Interpret the results of the experiment. This is the most important part of your report. Here you have the opportunity to show that you understand the experiment. You must explain, analyze and interpret your results. Discuss experimental and theoretical results and why they do or do not agree. Explain any errors. Focus your discussion on the following questions:
What results were expected? What results were obtained? If there were any discrepancies, how can you account for them?
Do any of your results have particular technical or theoretical interest?
How do your results relate to your experimental objective(s)?
How do your results compare to those obtained in similar investigations?
What are the strengths and limitations of your experimental design?
If you encountered difficulties in the experiment, what were their sources? How might they be avoided in future experiments?
Conclusion (~0.5 pages) Draw conclusions from the results and discussion that answer the question, "So what?" Then go on to explain your conclusions. In this section, you may also criticize the lab experiment and make recommendations for improvement. Such criticisms and recommendations, however, should focus on the lab as a learning experience; mere complaints about faulty equipment or amount of time spent are not appropriate.
Other: Be sure to use page numbers!
One format for presenting your lab results is to write a memo report. The audience is your professor who has asked you to perform some task (i.e. measure viscosity, design a system). Your professor wants you to make a "recommendation" or present a key "result" (i.e. recommend using transducer A or reporting that you found the viscosity of oil to be 10 cps) Remember - all professors are skeptics - they wont believe your recommendation unless you back it up by carefully explaining your measurement/analysis technique and presenting your data. However, your professor doesn't want to read 10 pages! Your challenge is to present the important and relevant information in two pages. You can include as many attachments as you like.
Memos are generally divided into two parts: the heading and the body.
- Heading: The heading segment follows this general format:
TO: (readers' names and job titles)
FROM: (your name and job title - "sign" by putting your handwritten initials after your name)
DATE: (complete and current date)
SUBJECT: (what the memo is about, highlighted in some way)Make sure you address the reader by his or her correct name and job title.
Be specific and concise in your subject line.
- Your memo should be concise and informative. To achieve this it needs to be organized. Writing a memo is NOT easy! The following are elements generally found in the body of the memo.
Opening: State the main purpose of the correspondence right away. Include the context and problem, the specific assignment or task, and the purpose of the memo. This section should be short (1 paragraph) and used to remind the reader of the problem that is addressed in the memo.
Recommendation: If your memo is longer than a page (which they should be for a lab report) you should include a summary section at the beginning of the memo. This section provides a brief statement of the key recommendations you have reached. These will help your reader understand the key points of the memo immediately. (i.e include a statement like "I recommend that you purchase 3 types of pressure transducers for a total cost of $###. " or "I measured the vicosity of the oil to be 10 cp which is within specification.")
Discussion: The discussion section is where you include all the detailed information that you have gathered to support you ideas. Keep these two things in mind:
Begin with the information that is most important. This may mean that you will start with key findings or recommendations. Think of an inverted pyramid. Start with your most general information and move to your specific or supporting facts.
Briefly describe any experiments you performed or calculations that you made.
Provide supporting data to give the reader confidence in your recommendations. (attachments are VERY important)
Use meaningful headings to direct the reader. Try to write headings that are short but clarify section content.
Closing: After the reader has absorbed all of your information, you want to reiterate your main findings and close with a courteous ending (offer of further assistance) that states what action you want your reader to take.
References: Provide bibliographical information for any material that is not original and which you cited in the your report. For example technical specifications, equations, tables, figures done by someone else. Use the ASME citation style. See the following website for more information
http://www.asme.org/kb/proceedings/proceedings/references
http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/engineering/guides/asme.htm
Attachments: Make sure you document your findings or provide detailed information whenever necessary. You can do this by attaching lists, figures, tables, etc. at the end of your memo. This is the longest part of the report!
Writing a quick outline may help your to organize your thoughts. Develop a list of the main ideas that you wish to present. Use short paragraphs and analyze each paragraph of your memo for its purpose, content, or function. When you find a paragraph that does more than one thing, consider splitting it into two paragraphs. If you find two short separate paragraphs that do the same thing, consider combining them.
Environment
Check that room is orderly with no unnecessary furnishings or clutter. Erase board. Check light, air, and temperature. Be familiar with surroundings and plan your movements. Check overheads, slides, and other visual aids. If possible, rehearse in the location where you will speak.
Voice
Choose appropriate volume and tone. Not too serious - nor flippant. Open your mouth. Use inflection (vary tone and volume for emphasis, interest). Direction (toward audience, not to board, lectern, notes). Enunciate clearly. Don't talk too fast.
Appearance
Your appearance should be appropriate to the presentation. Be happy, smile, don't look petrified. Stand straight, look at audience, keep your hands out of your pockets. Don't sway, fidget, or scratch. Avoid mannerisms. Move around, don't play statue.
Delivery
Be enthusiastic (convince yourself that you have an important message!). Speak with confidence and competence. Use emphatic gestures using controlled arm and body movements which help emphasize points. Avoid weasel words ("It seems to me", "In my humble opinion"). Use eye contact. Move around room, make contact with everyone. Use audience participation, when appropriate. Avoid you know, all right, OK, ah, er, oh, well, now, etc. Avoid jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms (define any that you do use). Don't lean on podium, or hide behind it. Don't play with pointer or other tools.
Visual aids
Use visual aids to add to presentation. Be careful that they don't distract your audience. Make sure that all overheads and slides are readable from the back of the room.