Materials

1
Materials Mechanics Laboratory

• Report Writing

Geoffrey Fisher and Ryan Breighner Texas Tech
University Spring 2008
2
Lab Reports

• 3 of these throughout the semester
• Completed as a group with your lab partners

3
The Report As A Whole

• - 1 margins on all sides (note different than
  word default) -
• - Size 12 font -
• - Arial or Times New Roman -
• - Double spaced -
• - All pages will have a page number except for
  the title page and the table of contents -
• Page numbers centered at bottom of page -
• Section Headings are left justified, bold, in
  same font as body of report -
• Number your equations with parentheses and define
  the variables
• e.g. F ma (1)
• Avoid personal pronouns
• e.g., The force was applied rather than We
  applied the force

4
The Sections

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Abstract
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• Introduction
• Methods and Materials
• Results
• Discussion

5
Title Page
Hardness Measurement of Metals Group member
1 Group member 2 Group member 3 Group member
4 ME 3328 50X A, B, C, or D Date
Submitted Instructor Your Lab Instructor
6
Table of Contents

• Length lt1 page

7
Abstract

• Length ½ to ¾ of a page
• Page number is i
• Brief summary of objective and major results
• Be quantitative
• No figures, tables, references, or equations
• - It helps to write this last

8
List of Figures

• - Length varies
• - Only necessary if more than one figure is used
• - Reference the figure in the text before showing
  it
• The label Figure 1 is written below the
  figure (no space between figure and label)
• Cite all figures not generated by you or your
  group
• Page number is ii

9
List of Tables

• Length varies
• Same rules that apply to List of Figures apply
  here with one difference
• The label Table 1 is written above the table
  rather than below it
• Page number is iii

10
Introduction

• Length 1½ to 2 pages
• Page number is 1
• Be general rather than specific to your
  experiment
• Write in present tense
• Purpose is to provide background and motivate the
  reader

11
Introduction (cont.)

• Provide theoretical background of experiment
• Advantages and disadvantages of methods used
• Relevant equations
• Cite references

12
Methods Materials

• Length 1 to 2 pages of text
• Describes purpose and function of equipment used
• Include labeled schematic or photograph
• Model name and company (short form can be used
  after initial naming)
• e.g., initial Instron 8500 tensile testing
  machine, afterwards Instron machine or
  tensile testing machine

13
Methods Materials (cont.)

• Be concise
• When writing procedure, write in chronological
  order
• Use past tense
• Be quantitative when possible
• e.g., A load of 50 N was applied rather than
  A load was applied
• For experiments with repetition, dont rewrite
  the entire procedure
• Do not simply list the steps (outline format is
  unacceptable)

14
Results

• Length 1 page (excluding tables, figures,
  equations)
• Quantitative results
• Summarize in text of report
• Use tables and graphs
• Graphs included should be representative (put
  additional graphs in an appendix)
• Compare with published values if possible
• Discuss any manipulation of data and include
  relevant formulas

15
Discussion

• Length 1 to 1½ pages
• Discuss
• Major results
• Explanation of results
• Validity of results
• Sources of error
• State any future recommendations

16
References

• Length varies
• List every reference cited in text here
• List in alphabetical order (authors last name)
• Two ways to cite within the report
• Authors last name and publish year (Smith, 2003)
• Reference number 1
• Format for 1st method on Reference page
• Smith, William. Foundations of Materials Science
  and Engineering, 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill, 1993.
• Format for 2nd method on Reference page
• 1 Smith, William. Foundations of Materials
  Science and Engineering,
• 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill, 1993.

17
Appendices

• Length varies
• Sample calculations
• Data sheet from lab
• Additional Figures

18
Equations

• Equations are numbered so they can be referenced
  in text (see below)
• Use Microsoft Equation Editor, MathCAD or LaTeX
  to generate your equations
• Should look like
• NOT
• n1-(1/rk-1)(((rk)-1)/(k(rc-1)) (1)