Introduction
Most of the lab reports are based on clinical pathology as well as nursing fields to execute diagnostic activities. Lab reports will, therefore, ensure that there is a detailed prevention, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring once the analysis has been performed accurately. It is imperative to ensure that the lab reports are analyzed in an effective manner by scrutinizing suitable tables and graphs. The analysis of lab reports gives the idea of how clinical procedures should be carried out. Additionally, the description of the results should be detailed in order to obtain effective results regarding the experiment conducted (Kim, 2020).
It is, therefore, crucial to have a clear understanding of the hypothesis of the experiment conducted in order to have actual results in the end. For an accurate and credible lab report, it must comprise the eight key elements. The eight elements include the title, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. Some lab reports get to the extent of including acknowledgment and appendixes.
Although some researchers and writers might prefer different formats for writing their lab reports, most of the lab reports have a similar format. When one format of presenting lab reports is adopted, there is a higher likelihood of issuance of uniformity when the ideas in lab reports are presented. It also creates uniformity in presenting the ideas that come along with the report being issued. In this report, the key elements will be discussed by going through two examples of lab reports from students.
In this case, we will concentrate on two lab reports and establish how the researchers have presented their ideas at large and the elements that they have utilized in their reporting. The subsequent links present the full lab reports in the field of nursing and how the researchers have presented their ideas.
Lab Report Sample 1
The link above shows a sample of a lab report concerning the perceptions of different sugars by Blowflies. It lies in the field of both nursing and biology. Biology goes hand in hand with the aspect of nursing; therefore, it is imperative to ensure that both correlate in order to reflect a positive and credible analysis.
Title
The authors of the report have effectively followed the eight elements of the lab report in presenting their work as required. Initially, the researchers started with the title of the paper on the cover page. The cover page, which has the title of the paper, clearly gives an insightful analysis of the paper and the basic concepts from which the paper details.
Abstract
The authors have also given an effective abstract of the lab report indicating the core purpose of the report, as it is required in the lab report. The abstract is accurate and reflects the core findings of the research and the likely outcome of the study. The abstract has also issued the overall results regarding the entire findings and the ultimate conclusions towards future ventures on the same. The abstract, in this case, is presented in a way that shows how future research and lab reports should be presented.
Introduction
The introduction has been fully represented in the lab report. Therefore, the authors have vast information on how the lab report should be formatted in detailing more in the field of nursing. The introduction, in this case, will give the overall information on what is expected in the report and how the reporting is done in the long run. It is in this scenario that the authors have presented their hypothesis and highlighted the information to be included in the report. The reporting at this point has been done in a concise manner and assurance of how they will overcome the weaknesses if they arise in the presentation. The authors have also presented the reporting in an informative manner to ensure that readers have accurate know-how on the reported issue.
Materials and Methods
In the section on materials and methods, the authors have crafted the lab report in a manner that they have been able to convince the readers of the approaches followed during the research and their credibility. Additionally, materials and methods require that any other researcher use the same materials and methods to obtain the same results in the end. In this case, it is referred to as replicability. The authors have presented this element in an outstanding manner by giving relevant figures and data on which the result computation will be based.
Results
In the lab report, the results have been accurately represented. There is an accurate following of the necessary procedures in representing the results. The results are computed from the materials and methods recorded in the previous elements. The lab reporting is, therefore, credible and effective since it details whatever it is in the report. The report also gives accurate evidence, which the authors will use to support their claim on the credibility and reliability of the results and data.
Additionally, the authors have omitted irrelevant data from the report in order to assure credibility of the report. At this point, the researchers have not explained the data given; this is an effective way since data should not be explained from the result section. Rather, it should be explained in the discussion section. The results have been presented professionally by the researchers; therefore, lab reports will be reliable and embraced by many researchers.
Discussion and Conclusion
Unlike other lab reports, the researchers have combined discussion and conclusion elements under one section. It is all right, as the researcher has done, but the two elements should be separated under different paragraphs. The discussion and conclusion elements of the lab report give the summation of the research with the results and the final view of the report. The researchers have also presented the information and analysis in a much better way to confirm their competency in lab reporting. However, the researchers have added an element of acknowledgment in their report. The element can be used since it shows the number of individuals or institutes that aided in the writing of the lab report. This element is also applicable when it comes to the presentation of the lab report.
References
In the reference section, the authors have presented all the materials they have used in the research. The researchers have ensured that the references are documented in a chronological manner as required in the APA 7th edition format. This means that the research is effective and reliable for any reporting in the nursing and medical field. In referencing, the names of the authors of the article, the title of the article, and the date from which the article was published are presented to ensure that the article is retrieved easily. There are no mistakes committed during the writing of the lab report.
Lab Report Sample 2
Title
The article has a clear title reflecting the necessary information required for a lab report. It is a nursing lab report by Angela Mahaffey. The author has followed all the necessary elements as per professional requirements in lab report writing. The title on the cover page has been outlined as per the APA guidelines. The title and the topic of the paper have been presented effectively, hence allowing the key information to be highlighted in the lab report.
Abstract
The author has also followed a clear format in lab reporting by the use of an abstract to give an overview of the information to be reported. It is clear that the researcher has allowed the readers to draw crucial information regarding the authenticity of the information offered. The elements in the report are credible and serve their intended purpose in the lab report. The author of this lab report has ensured that the abstract has covered the necessary threshold.
Introduction
The author of this lab report has ensured that all eight elements have been followed as per the requirements. The introduction gives an overview of the Lab report from a broader perspective. The introduction is crucial in enlightening the readers on the basic concept of the report and the future outcome of the same data. Each element has served its purpose as required in lab reporting. The formatting of the lab reports does not differ from each other. They follow a distinct format, and the elements in the report are presented the same as required for any lab report.
Materials and Methods
The materials and methods utilized for this report are presented in the rightful manner in order to allow a clear analysis of the lab report. Materials and methods utilized are crafted in a way that ensures that the results will be credible and effective in the tabulation and presentation of the data. The data is tabulated using the relevant materials and methods for an effective discussion and results.
Results
In this section, the results have been reflected in a manner that is easier to understand and relate to. The lab report, therefore, has been presented in a way from which the readers will be able to understand effectively and draw their understanding and conclusions in the end. It is a requirement that the results should be tabulated based on the materials and methods used so that there would be a clear reflection on the outcome of the lab report.
Discussion
The discussion at this point includes the summation of the relevant points and tabulations of the results. The report is tabulated, and information is given about the outcome of the report. The author has given a clear and concise discussion of the report based on the research he conducted. Discussion has been among the crucial elements of the report to ensure that the research has driven its intention as expected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the two lab reports analyzed have the same format in the APA referencing style and follow the same elements. The researchers have decided to use the same elements throughout their analysis since this is the most appropriate way of documenting and writing any professional lab report. Additionally, the manner in which the lab report is presented is acknowledged by the APA referencing style.
References
The lab report presents a clear reference list from which the article papers, books, journals, and peer-reviewed articles have backed up the credibility of the research. This is one of the most important elements since it gives the research credibility and assurance of its reliability. The references are tabulated in an APA format, having the names of the author, publication year, the title of the journal, and the publisher. The format follows the 7th edition of an APA referencing style.
References
Kim, D., & Olson, W. M. (2020). Using a transfer-focused writing pedagogy to improve undergraduates’ lab report writing in gateway engineering laboratory courses. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 63(1), 64-84.
Markel, M., & Markel, M. H. (2009). Technical communication. Macmillan.