Learning process contains theoretical and practical parts, where the theory comprises lectures, and the practice includes laboratory and independent work based on the material covered within one course. During lectures, students may get very tired listening to a large scope of new information and trying to understand it. That is why laboratory or independent assignment is more exciting as it combines testing of knowledge and gaining tremendous experience on the topic. The most important part of lab report writing is discussion section. As a help, we are going to tackle the issue of how to write a discussion for a lab report.
Basically, lab report is the most popular type of written tasks for engineering, biology, chemistry, biology, and other disciplines. During a course of study in college or university, you’ll most probably encounter one. While often neglected, it truly enhances grades. However, it’s necessary to know how to write report right, what structure should be followed, which sources should be used, etc. Without further adieu, here is some information you should know before writing it.
Discussion Purpose
What you should know is when you write discussion, there is a purpose behind the said argument. Discussion’s aim is result interpretation, which means explain, analyse, and compare them. Often, this part is the most important, simply because it lets the researcher take a step back and give a broader look at the experiment. Do not discuss any outcomes not presented in the results part.
Furthermore, via this section, students can more comprehensively show their understanding of experiment, even more deeply than after performing it. This part focuses on question of understanding “What is the significance or meaning of the results?” and tries to answer it as fully as possible, mentioning data and research findings along the way.
What to Write in Discussion of Lab Report?
Lab report discussion section often begins with statement as to whether findings in results section support expected findings stated in hypothesis. It is very important to make this comparison as turning back to hypothesis is crucial for scientific thinking. Support or non-support statement then leads to the next logical issue, an explanation of why hypothesis was or wasn’t supported by received data. Explanation might focus on scientific reasoning that supported original hypothesis and on alterations or errors in experimental procedure and how they could have affected the outcomes. Also, discussion provides opportunities to compare results with research of others.
When you are wondering how to write a discussion for a lab report, it's best to ask yourself what does this paper type mean. Question “What does it mean” can greatly help with research proposal writing and in writing your argument. In a sense, explaining the meaning behind experiment should be done in the discussion.
How to Write a Lab Report Discussion
Now that we've established what this whole thing actually is, let's talk about doing discussion for lab report properly. The first thing to note is that you shouldn't discuss outcomes that are presented in results. In fact, here you should make a statement whether or not these outcomes actually underpin expectations presented in the hypothesis. Making such a comparison is crucial, as it shows basic scientific understanding. In order to better answer the question of how to make a discussion in lab report, consider the following steps when you write your lab report:
- State, in a sentence or two, whether results from the lab fully keep up with your hypothesis, don’t support it, or support it with some exceptions.
- Include a paragraph that identifies specific data from your lab that led to hypothesis support or reject. Reference data’s visual representations as evidence to back up your judgment about hypothesis.
- Add a paragraph about your understanding of scientific concept to explain why final results did or did not support initial hypothesis. Show how your understanding of this concept has changed in discussion of lab report.
- Discuss other items as problems that occurred and led to any unexpected results; how findings compare with findings of other students and an explanation for any differences; suggestions for improving a lab.
- State significance or implications of your experimental findings and recommend areas of future research.
Example of Discussion in Lab Report
Here is an extract from a discussion section taken from a lab report. It provides an analysis of customers’ behavioral patterns with an aim to identify smartphone models within a reasonable price to be procured for the company employees.
Discussion
Knowing the time that users spend on their smartphones during the day encourages examining applications that are particularly popular among the target group. Hereby, respondents were asked to name their favourite mobile phone features. As in a number of other studies, text messaging is an unconditionally popular option among respondents (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 2017; Gerber et al, 2009). However, survey revealed an array of other phone options that outnumber messaging popularity by a large margin. Gaming was identified as the most popular among surveyed users. Respondents rated gaming by 2 points on a 10-point scale, where 1 corresponded with the most favourite feature. Accordant to the respondents, camera, internet browsing and social media were much less favorite features in their mobiles.
Subsequent comparison suggests no major difference between Apple iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 with regard to application variety. However, there is a significant price difference between models. It means that Samsung is more feasible with regard to the ratio between options and price range.
Survey indicated an interesting trend that is suggested for in-depth examination in further research. In reported study, majority respondents assigned 3.5 to health and wellbeing applications meaning that they have slightly lost in popularity. Wellbeing and health applications are nevertheless much more popular than browsing the internet, media and entertainment options. Popularity of apps concerning health or wellbeing is certainly an exiting trend that requires further study.
In the meantime, it is worth stressing that phones have become very popular with Canadians. An overwhelming majority of Canadians aged between 24 and 29 spend at least one hour a day on their smartphones. While these users prefer iPhone 8, Samsung S8 is considered a more appropriate option with regard to specs, features, and price.
Survey findings indicated mobile application range that is most popular with the target group, which suggests insights into smartphone model to be preferred. According to the study, health & wellbeing related applications are gaining momentum and are more popular with users than web browsing or media sites. This trend indicates major transformations in consumers’ behavioural patterns regarding mobile use. A thorough examination of discovered trends is required to identify a model to be purchased and promote an appropriate and expedient use of phones.
This lab report discussion example can be utilised as sample while working on your own report. Just ensure you follow all structure steps and instructions given by professor. It will for sure help receive high grades for such assignments.
Thinking in Questions, Explaining in Answers
When thinking about writing a discussion lab report, be sure to edit final version. Use this checklist and ensure all question are answered and all details are present in the report:
- Are obtained results the same or different from those expected?
- Are there any experimental errors or theoretical issues?
- Have you fulfilled aims of your experiment? Can you answer your research question?
- What problems did you encounter in carrying out an experiment and how could you overcome these in future investigations?
- How does outcomes relate to an experimental objective?
- What is significant or important about your results? What do your results imply?
- How do your results compare to similar research? What are strengths and limitations of your experimental design?
- What further areas of investigation, if any, can you suggest? What recommendations can you make?
If you can answer those questions without our lab or book report writing services and present them in a scientific manner, you'll have your discussion complete and ready. Now the question of how to make discussion in lab report won’t be an issue for you. In addition, you can always turn to our service for assistance with discussion writing and receive professional support from the best experts in academic field. This solution is for students who don’t possess the necessary knowledge or environment for writing lab reports on time.
