Notes on lab book write-ups - EET 102

Some notes on lab write-ups:

• You are expected to be in lab unless previous arrangements are made. You should have adequate time to finish the lab during the scheduled lab time; however, if there are unanticipated problems, you must make arrangements to finish.
• You should write up your lab during the lab period, and the write ups should be in your lab book. You may use a composition book, or the "back" of another lab book (this may vary with other courses).
• Start each lab on a new page in your lab book.
• You must have the instructor initial each experiment in the Table of Contents to have credit for completing the assignment.
• The lab write up is intended to be a description of what you did and your results in your own words. You should write enough detail so someone with a similar background could take your lab book and duplicate your experiment, or could look at your lab book and understand what you did and what your results were.

Each lab write-up should contain:

• A heading with the title of the lab, the date and your name
• OBJECTIVES:
  These may be copied straight from your lab text.
• EQUIPMENT:
  This may be at the end of your write up if you wish, since in "the real world" you may not know what equipment you would be using.
• PROCEDURES:
  
  • This is where your own words are most effective. I want to know what you did; what your procedure actually was. If the text asks you to 'sketch the voltmeter', you need not write 'sketch the voltmeter' above your sketch of the voltmeter. Avoid stating the obvious; however, a section with '15 M-ohms' needs an explanation:
    Measured the resistance of the voltmeter: resistance = 15 M-ohm
    is more appropriate.
  • If the text asks for your 'conclusion' over a section of the lab, answer the question as you go. It is more useful for you to have the answers written near your results than at the end. Replace "What is your conclusion about...' with "Explain the significance of...' or 'Describe your results of ...' and answer the question.
  • Your lab notebooks are full of space - use it! Write out a brief procedure, a data table, graphs, pictures, results, and answers to questions neatly, then move on to the next section. No need to cram everything onto one page if it doesn't fit.
  • Mark your results somehow - set them apart, underline them, etc.
  • If you make a mistake, cross it out and move on. Start at a new page if it seems appropriate.
• CONCLUSION:
  A brief, overall conclusion on what you learned.
  "We studied the operation and characteristics of a voltage and current source, and learned how to use an ohmmeter to measure resistance. We also learned how to use the resistor color code."
• You should sign and date the experiment, to show you did the work.

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  Send me e-mail to reid@tech.iupui.edu if you have any questions on lab write-ups.
  

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  KENNETH J. REID

  Asst. Professor, Electrical Engineering Technology
  Indiana University / Purdue University at Indianapolis

  799 W. Michigan St. ET 209 F
  Indianapolis, IN 46202
  (317) 274-2362

  reid@tech.iupui.edu