How to Write an Abstract For a Lab Report
As a science student you need to learn how to write an abstract for lab report. This does not have a shortcut. Though it might seems to be a complicated process, it becomes an ABC once you learn how to write it. It is an important skill for science student’s right from high school to university. A typical lab report consists of:
1. Title
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Materials
5. Method
6. Results/Findings
7. Discussion
8. Conclusion
9. References
10. Appendices
Our focus centers on abstract for a lab report. Prior you understand how to write an abstract for lab report, it is important to know what an abstract is and its purpose within a lab report. However, if you lack time to go all these, we advise you to search for an affordable lab report writer online, he will write your abstract to level of perfection you demand.
What is A Lab Report Abstract?
As a learner, you have encountered and written research papers before. In that case, a lab report abstract just the same as the one in a research paper but slight difference. Which is the type of document and what has to be included. However, similarities in the two include:
Both are short with a 200 words maximum paragraph
It is a summary in both cases
Both are brief, a paragraph or a maximum of 200 words
They come right before the introduction
Therefore a lab report abstract can be define as that section of lab report that summarizes the four important parts of the document. Namely;
Reason for the experiment; it includes giving the purpose, objective and the background information.
Materials used and the method applied to investigate the hypothesis
Findings or outcome of the experiment
Conclusion which is a summary of discussion
Tips to help you write an abstract of a lab report
Know the required format.
In most cases your tutor will to specify the format to use. As a result, as a learner you are required to employ a standard format. Knowing the kind of abstract to employ for your school lab report is very important step. This is as a result variations in format requirements. Nonetheless, there are only two form an abstract for a lab report can take:
Descriptive Abstract
This resembles a standard report abstract. Nevertheless, it is shorter with about 100 words. It centers information sheets that state the background information or objective of the whole experiment and method used. It is usually short but clear enough, however, it does not reflect discussion details, findings and the report summary
Informational Abstract
Unlike descriptive abstracts, informational abstract will include information in regard to objective, the method employed, outcomes, the discussion in brief and the summary. It is usually longer that a descriptive abstract. Nonetheless, its length varies with the length of the full report. Normally it will be 10% of the full lab report.
How long should a lab report abstract be?
It depends whether the lecturer has dictate the format or not. In case of no format then the abstract should be 200 words maximum. A lab report abstract is a representation of different section, that is the objective of the experiment, the resources, and its method employed, findings, detailed discussion of the outcome and summary. The conclusion is usually a summary of a page or two. It is advisable to write an abstract that connects with the criteria, have it precise and limit it to be a brief paragraph.
Be careful with your word of choice
Whenever students are learning how to write a lab report, they are taught about keywords. But, in regard to the discipline and kind of investigation, there are particular words your tutor will anticipate to see them in your abstract. Hence, they are called keywords that you are supposed to use in writing your abstract.
In the contemporary world where most of our content is published on the internet, keywords are very important. Hence when you write by including keywords, anyone searching for information using those phrases will definitely find your document. Putting in mind hundreds and thousands of papers are every day, these keywords will help to optimize your document for search engine so that when searched the paper can be accessed. Look for a sample lab report abstract, or report writing service, it will help you understand the value of keywords. However, not all lab reports are published online.
Write with the correct point of view and tense
It is true one of the most element that student have to learn while writing a lab report abstract is the tense and point of view. Using a wrong point of view or tense makes the inappropriate the abstract. It is clear the abstract has to be written in third person tone. It makes the abstract remain creative and personalized, which is very important in science.
Third Person Point of View
This means that you should not employ the use of personal pronouns. Hence, avoid personal words like, “we” “our” or “I”. However, employ words like “the experiment”. This will ensure your abstract is impersonal and objective.
Past Tense
The lab report should be in the past tense since the experiment already took place. A test is an action that already underwent hence you are reporting what happened. Nonetheless, grammar rules dictates that you should not write using passive voice, this are exceptional reports. Besides, past tense also builds sense of objectivity thus making the abstract impersonal.
It Should Have Flow and Be Error Free
It is crucial for the lab report to be coherent just like any other piece of writing. This means that the reader should go through easily and pick what you are trying to put across. The abstract must be clear without someone going the whole report. Just like an introduction, the lab report as the capacity to make the reader continue reading the report or put your paper aside. Therefore, write a lab report abstract that not only raises curiosity but also articulates the lab report message as whole.
Besides, it should be written in good grammar free from punctuation errors. Ensure the sentence structure flows since they are the basics of sentence structure that can be perfected over time.
Only Include Information Present In the Lab Report
As we know the abstract of a lab report is a summary of what will be in the actual report, it is advisable to stick only to the information that will be in the lab report. Avoid unnecessary information however much important they might seem to be since they will misguide the readers.
Write It Last
The abstract should be written the last one. Despite it being among the first section of a lab report, it has to be written right after you write your conclusion. This is as a result of it being a summary of the whole lab report. Most learners can only are able to write an abstract only after they have grasped what the whole document is all about. This can only be arrived at when the whole lab report has been written, that is from introduction to conclusion. Having it written the last will enable you customize it your lab report by ensuring that what has been cited is available in the lab report.
Conclusion
Are you still in darkness how to write an abstract for a lab report? The about 7 steps are perfect tips to guide you on how to do it properly. A perfect abstract of a lab report must show the crucial aspects of the report. That is, the purpose, method, results and conclusion. In clear and precise manner. Indeed, a lab report abstract, ought to be short, limited to the required information, written in the third person point of view and past tense.
