Writing a Good Conclusion

The Conclusion is where you make it clear to the lab instructor what you learned in the lab experience. Since the purpose of the lab is to learn something about science, take the time to write a Conclusion that convinces the lab instructor of what you have learned.

Step 1: Restate your hypothesis.

Step 2: Write one or more paragraphs that completely summarizes what you have learned from each part of the lab about the scientific concept of the lab from doing the lab. Back up your statement with supporting details (data) from your lab experience.

Step 3: Make sure that you interpret all of your data (Explain what your data means).

Additional Tips:

·         Strive for logic and precision and avoid ambiguity, especially with pronouns and sequences 

·         Keep your writing impersonal; avoid the use of the first person (i.e. I or we)

·         Use the past tense and be consistent within the report
note: "data" is plural and "datum" is singular; species is singular and plural

·         Italicize all scientific names (genus and species)

·         Use the metric system of measurement and abbreviate measurements without periods (i.e. cm  kg)

·         Spell out all numbers beginning sentences or less than 10 (i.e. "two explanations of six factors").  

·         Write numbers as numerals when greater than ten (i.e. 156) or associated with measurements (i.e. 6 mm or 2 g)