How to Write a
Formal Practical Report
Aim
• The aim is what you want to find
or accomplish (1-2 sentences)
• Eg, The aim of this experiment is
to investigate the top speed of
certain remote control cars.
Hypothesis
• What you think will happen (1-3
sentences)
• A good hypothesis is written in terms of
the independent and dependent
variables.
• Eg, If [I do/change this]-independent
variable then [this-dependent variable]
will happen.
• This statement does not need to be
correct, it is just what you think will
happen.
Hypothesis Practice
• Write a hypothesis for each of the
following purposes.
a) To test whether carrot seeds or
tomato seeds germinate quicker.
b) To test whether sourdough, multigrain
or white bread goes mouldy the
quickest.
c) To test whether Trigg the dog likes
dry food or fresh food better.
Hypothesis Practice
a) If carrots and tomato seeds are
planted at the same time, then carrot
seeds will germinate quicker.
b) If sourdough, multigrain and white
bread are all placed in a moist plastic
bag, then multigrain will go mouldy
the quickest.
c) If Triggs is given a choice of dry food
or moist food, then he will eat the
moist first.
Materials
• List all the materials, in dot point
form or sentence form, used in the
experiment.
Method
• Explanation of how the
experiment was attempted in 3rd
person, i.e. NO “I” “WE”.
• Try to use complete sentences
rather than short statements.
• Steps taken is acceptable.
• Try to avoid obvious statements,
Eg “turn on the power.”
Results
• The results is simply stating what
you found in a table or graph.
• No discussions of results, just a
brief sentence of what your results
are.
• Eg, Table 1, shows ___________.
• Independent and dependent
variables must be titled and the
variables units.
Results Table
• Must include a description of the
table, above the table
• Easy way is independent
variables (with title and units) go
in first column, and dependent
variables (trials) go in other
columns.
• No units in numerical cells.
Results Graph
• Must have title, describing the graph
below the graph (caption).
• Independent variable (x-axis) must be
labelled with units.
• Dependent variable (y-axis) must be
labelled with units.
• Different trials must be colour coded
with a key or legend.
• Try to scale your numbers in order,
rather then draw dots, on a specific
number.
Results Practice
• Using the results below, draw an appropriate
table and graph.
Mining Temperatures
Mine A
Depth surface 300m 700m 1km
Temp 15oC
28oC 49oC 62oC
Mine B
Depth surface 600m 1.5m 3km
Temp 20oC
25oC 37oC 55oC
Results Practice
Table 1: Temperatures in two different mines at increasing depth.
Temperature (oC)
Mine Depth (m)
Mine A
Mine B
Surface
15
20
300
28
600
25
700
49
1000
62
1500
37
3500
55
Discussions
• The discussion is where you
discuss your thoughts and
findings on the experiments.
• Answer any questions.
• Discuss any problems or errors,
or things you would do differently
to improve results.
Conclusion
• The conclusion sums up the
report, it directly addresses the
aim and hypothesis of the
experiment.
• Eg, did you find what you wanted
to find?
• 3rd person NO “I” “WE.”
• 2-4 sentences