How to Write a Science Report, by Science Ready on YouTube. 19 min 42 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 42 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Gather your lab notes, raw data, teacher rubric and any syllabus guide before you start writing.
Draft the abstract in one short paragraph: state the aim, what you did, the main result and your conclusion.
In the introduction, give the background theory, then state the aim and a testable hypothesis.
Describe the method in past tense: materials, variables, controls, risk assessment and a labelled diagram.
Present results in tables and graphs, label axes with units, then describe patterns without explaining them yet.
Analyse the results by calculating averages, uncertainties or percentage error and compare them with expected values.
In the discussion, judge accuracy, reliability and validity, then explain sources of error and realistic improvements.
Write a conclusion that answers the aim, says whether the hypothesis was supported and gives the main evidence.
Check the report against the rubric, cite sources, number figures and tables, and proofread the final draft.
Tips and common mistakes
Write the abstract last so it matches the final report.
Use past tense for the method and results, and present tense for accepted theory.
Do not hide unexpected results; discuss them as error or as a finding.
List real hazards and controls in the risk assessment, not generic safety lines.
Questions
How long should each section be?
Follow your rubric first. As a rough guide, keep the abstract short, give method and results enough detail to repeat the work, and use the discussion for your main analysis.
Should I include raw data?
Put raw data in an appendix if the rubric allows it, and show processed data in tables or graphs in the results.
What if my results do not support my hypothesis?
Say so clearly in the conclusion and use the discussion to explain possible reasons. A rejected hypothesis is still a valid result.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
