Common Lab Report Errors
I write this article to teach all students about how to write a lab report with typical mistakes. After concluding with professors and doing countless research I have found 16 lab report errors that are common among students. Implying these tips will guarantee a better grade and hopefully a higher understanding. If you want me to post an advanced guideline for Lab Reports then Up vote, subscribe and comment. As for now here are 16 Common Lab Reports
Datum is singular and data is plural.
“Up” and “down” describe direction in three-dimensional space; they do not describe numerical trends.
Inanimate objects do not have intent. For example, the water did not want to move, it just moved.
Avoid quotes &phrases. (Phrases often used in conversation)
Do not use contractions.
Write in third person.
Consider using “premise” instead of “idea”.
Avoid using “thing”; find a more precise noun.
State the hypothesis in present tense, not future.
Affect is a verb. Effect is the result of something.
Avoid ambiguous or unclear antecedents. An antecedent is a pronoun that refers back to the previous noun. Be sure you are referring to the correct noun.
Avoid mismatched antecedents.
Remember – “Each, every, either, or, neither, nor, and words with “one” and “body” are singular.”
Write out numbers less than 20.
Check how to write the Works Cited (Bibliography) for APA format and never use a website to automatically format it.
Read over the Formal Lab Report Rubric on my website before you turn in your report.