The purpose of laboratory reports is to communicate information to colleagues concisely and precisely. This means that your report should be set out in a logical manner. The following is a suggested format – you may vary it in the interests of a clearer or more concise report. The report should be written legibly, concisely and in good English. You should aim at including sufficient detail for a competent analytical chemist to be able to understand your experiment solely from reading your report. 3. A Results and Discussion section (a) in which the experimental data are presented, and (b) in which you should comment on the internal consistency of and the implications of your results (remembering the aims of the experiment). In the Results section, you should indicate clearly the transformation method of raw data used to derive your results. This may require you to include one sample calculation demonstrating how you have manipulated the data to arrive at the results. When data are extracted from a graph or chart in order to do a subsequent calculation, all numbers must be tabulated. The format for the result tables should be the same as for the data tables. Samples – Most experiments have samples for which quantitative results are to be reported. Plots of Data – All data tables and graphical plots of data should be selfexplanatory. They should demonstrate a point, and the caption should explain what that point is. The axes should be labelled clearly. Introductory Notes iv Two important components of the Results section are the inclusion of: (1) error estimates and (2) units with all of the quantities you quote. Without these, your numbers are meaningless and cannot be compared with published data. In discussing your results, your data should be compared with those in appropriate references, stipulated by manufacturers or calculated from theory. This comparison should consider: (a) Experimental conditions of this experiment compared to other studies, e.g. temperature, purity of chemicals, instrumental methods and conditions. (b) Errors in your measurements and estimated uncertainties in your results. (c) Inadequacy and assumptions in the theoretical analysis. 4. A Conclusion section where you very briefly state the extent to which our initial aims were achieved and the specific conclusions that can be drawn from your results.