IMRAD Guideline: Laboratory Reports, Page 28)

IMRAD Guideline
TITLE PAGE
Experiment Title
Name
Date of Laboratory Experiment
Abstract
ABSTRACT (Include on Title Page)
This is a concise statement identifying the experiment or investigation and perhaps the
method or apparatus. It should include the numerical results of the experiment. An abstract is
typically 50 to 150 words long. Be brief. Two examples follow:
"The electronic spectra and molecular complex spectra of the methoxybenzenes are reported and
compared to Hückel molecular orbital calculations. Some related work with 1,2-dioxymethylenebenzene and
derivatives is also reported."
"Synthesis of the first percyanoölefin, tetracyanoethylene is described. Tetracyanoethylene has

been found to undergo a variety of reactions, including addition, replacement and cyclization reactions, to
give dyes, strong acids and heterocyclic compounds."
INTRODUCTION
A short summary of relevant theory and important chemical equations. Put the
investigation into perspective for the reader. Anything the reader should know to understand the
report should be explained in this section. This section lays the foundation, and explains WHY the
experiment was done.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
The details of the experiment are found here. It may include three subsections; chemicals,
methods, and instrumentation. If chemicals are listed, they should be identified by purity and
manufacturer. Methods should detail how the experiment was done in such a way that the reader
could repeat the experiment, although it should NOT include recipes for each solution. It is
sufficient to give concentrations. The instruments that were used should be described and
identified by make and model. It is not necessary to explain how to use the instruments, although a
diagram is sometimes suitable. Focus on how the experiment was done. Include your observations
of what you saw happen or change. The material should generally be chronological and written in
the past tense. (See Lehman, J.W., Writing a Laboratory Report, page 803, or Pavia et al,
Laboratory Reports, page 28)
RESULT'S AND DISCUSSION
Here the actual results are presented and discussed. Only list the final data from the
experiment. If possible, compare results with theoretical values, published works, or known values.
Tables, figures, and graphs should be in this section. Never begin the section with a table. Each
table should have a heading, each figure and graph a title, and each axis a label (with units). All
measurements should be to the proper number of significant figures, and should have units. This is
not the place to show calculations. Include error calculations.
actual yield of product

%Yield= theoreticalyield x 100
CONCLUSIONS
What do the data from this experiment mean? Are the results valid? What errors are
apparent? Are any of the assumptions made in the introduction invalid? How could the experiment
be modified or improved? What other experiments could be done to test or validate this work?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
List other lab assistants and their respective contributions
REFERENCES (If applicable)
List references that you used other than the laboratory manual. The first1 reference
below is for a textbook. The second2 reference is for a journal.
1 J. Leonard, B. Lygo, and G. Proctor, Advanced Practical Organic Chemistry,

Blackie Academic and Professional, Chapman and Hall, 1995.
2 A.B. Smith and C.D. Jones, J. Chem. Educ., 51, 1111 (1974).
APPENDICES
Hard copies of computer output. Handwritten calculations, etc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
1 Handbook for Authors of Papers in the Journals of the American Chemical Society,
American Chemical Society Publications, Washington, D.C. 1967.
2 L.F. Fieser and M. Fieser, Style Guide for Chemists, Reinhold, New York, 1960.
3 F.H. Rhodes, Technical Report Writing, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1961.
4 Robert A. Day, How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 3rd Edition, Oryx Press,
Phoenix, New York, 1988.
5 John R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis, University Science Books, Oxford

University Press, Mill Valley, California, 1982.
6 Mary Helen Briscoe, Preparing Scientific Illustrations, 2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag,

New York, 1996
The Scientific Method
Title What's it called?

Author Who did it?
Date When did you do it?
Introduction Why are you doing it?
Methods How did you do it?
Results/Discussion What did you find out? (errors)
Conclusion What does it mean? (limitations)

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IMRAD Guideline

ABSTRACT (Include on Title Page)

"Synthesis of the first percyanoölefin, tetracyanoethylene is described. Tetracyanoethylene has

RESULT'S AND DISCUSSION

actual yield of product

List other lab assistants and their respective contributions

REFERENCES (If applicable)

1 J. Leonard, B. Lygo, and G. Proctor, Advanced Practical Organic Chemistry,

Hard copies of computer output. Handwritten calculations, etc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

3 F.H. Rhodes, Technical Report Writing, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1961.

5 John R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis, University Science Books, Oxford

6 Mary Helen Briscoe, Preparing Scientific Illustrations, 2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag,

Title What's it called?

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