This section shows the structure of a results table found in a lab report. However, the required content may vary depending on the preferred teaching method or the student's grade level.
In a lab report, tables are used to present results obtained in the course of the experiment. The quantities measured in the lab are presented in such a way that they are easy to read. That is why they are classified into columns and rows.
When creating a results table, it is important to consider the following elements:
- Tables should be presented in a logical order. The initial data must be presented at the beginning, while the data calculated from the initial data should be presented after these first tables.
- Tables must be constructed with a ruler. The use of electronic tools (Excel, Word, Geogebra) facilitates the creation of tables.
- Each table must be numbered and identified with a title. The title should be meaningful and indicate what the reader will see in the table. It is preferable to avoid using titles such as "Results of the Experiment," as these titles do not give any relevant information about the contents of the table.
- Each row or column in a table must be identified by a title that identifies the content of the row or column. The title should include the variable, the units of measure in brackets (if applicable), and the absolute uncertainty (if necessary).
- In the first column, the independent variable is written, while in the second column (and the following columns), the dependent variables are written.
- Experimental conditions, such as measuring ambient temperature or pressure, can be written below the table. They are recorded in the following format: name of the quantity, value, absolute uncertainty, and unit of measurement.
Presenting results in a table
The example below shows the information needed to identify four minerals:
Table 1. Identification Key for Four Minerals
| Mineral name | Lustre | Colour | Streak | Scratched with ... | Magnetism | Reaction to acid |
| Calcite | Nonmetallic | White, colourless | White | Penny | Nonmagnetic | Effervescence |
| Hematite | Metallic | Steel gray, red | Red, reddish brown | Not scratched but scratches the glass | Nonmagnetic | None |
| Magnetite | Metallic | Black | Black | Not scratched but scratches the glass | Magnetic | None |
| Talc | Nonmetallic | White green | White | Nail | Nonmagnetic | None |
Presenting results in several tables
The lab results where the density of three objects is to be determined can be reported using several tables. The following three tables give an example of a possible presentation of results for this experiment. They comply with the above mentioned presentation standards:
Table 1. Mass of Various Objects
| Object to weigh | Mass |
| | |m| |
| | |\left( \pm \space 0.01 \space \text {g} \right)| |
| Iron | |35.37| |
| Wood (cedar) | |0.98| |
| Plastic (PVC) | |3.64| |
Table 2. Volume of Various Objects
| Object to be weighed | Volume |
| | |V| |
| | |\left( \pm \space 0.1 \space \text {ml} \right)| |
| Iron | |4.5| |
| Wood (cedar) | |2.0| |
| Plastic (PVC) | |2.6| |
Room temperature: |\left( 20.5 \pm 0.5 ^{\circ} \text {C} \right)|
Table 3. Density of Various Objects
| Object to be weighed | Density |
| | |\rho| |
| | |\left( \text {g/ml} \right)| |
| Iron | |7.9| |
| Wood (cedar) | |0.49| |
| Plastic (PVC) | |1.4| |
When each type of calculation is made, it is important to include in the report an example of a calculation so that the reader can reproduce the process in order to verify the results obtained. The section on calculation examples in the lab report concept sheet sets out the requirements for writing a complete calculation example.
The use of significant figures and uncertainties may be required depending on the student's grade level. The following concept sheets provide more details on the two concepts: