Analyzing Lab Reports
Jennifer Saeteros
City College of New York
ENGL 21007
Professor Elizabeth Von Uhl
March 23, 2020
The objective of a lab report is to present the readers with experimental research that was conducted by investigation and testing. The authors of lab reports tend to follow a particular format that allows the reader to follow along with the experiment. Experimental research is broken down into many sections that include the following, abstract, an introduction, procedure, results, tables or graphs, conclusion, and a reference page. However, when analyzing different lab reports, it is evident that authors have indirect ways of structuring or formatting their writing. For example, in “The impact of Wii Fit Yoga in flexibility and heart rate,” “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters,” and “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions.” Analyzing these three lab reports, we will observe the effectiveness of each in getting their point across. Where “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions” is the most effective of the three.
The named lab reports reflect on how technology positively affects the health of an individual. The lab report, “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters,” uses virtual reality exposure therapy to treat combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. The participants in this research were American military personnel who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Similarly, “The Impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate” researched the effect on the physical fitness in participating in a four-week trial of using the Wii Fit Yoga training session. While in the “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions”, an experiment is conducted to test if students are more engaged in learning when using two different touch technologies when doing concept mapping in class. Moreover, technology has become a popular and useful tool in society. Therefore, these lab reports display how technology is used to affect education, mental health, and physical health positively.
The titles and abstract of the lab report “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate” is the most effective. The title of a lab report should be informative enough to allow the reader or scientist to know the subject investigated (Markel 2014). The title “The Impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate” clearly displays the correlation between console Wii Fit yoga, fitness, and the health of an individual. This title shows how there will be an effect caused by using this game console with its word choice of “impact.” Therefore, this title is informative enough to inform the audience about the investigation that will be conducted. To continue, the title “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters” can be seen as not as effective. The title does showcase the relationship between virtual reality therapy and warfighters with PSTD. However, the readers that are unfamiliar with the abbreviation VR and PTSD can find this title confusing. Therefore, readers will not know about the experiment research being conducted from the title.
Similarly, in the title, “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions,” it can be seen as not as effective. There is a connection being made with technology and students learning attitudes. However, the term “touch technology” is too vague, and it can be referring to a range of screen touch technologies. The subject area that is being experimented with is not specified in the title. Also, the next section in the lab report is an abstract. The objective of an abstract is to summarize the entire lab report. In the report, “The impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate” directly states the process and findings of research in a list. For example, “Research question: The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of a four-week Wii Fit yoga training session on flexibility and heart rate. Type of study: A pre-test post-test control group design used.” (McCarthy et al., 2013, p.67) However, by listing in the abstract it can be seen as informal because it is not thoroughly explaining the objectives in the abstract. On the other hand, the lab report “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters” displayed an abstract in a paragraph form and is more detailed with the summary of the research. According to Miyahira et al. (2012), “A cognitive behavior treatment approach augmented with virtual reality exposure therapy(VRE) was developed and administered for ten treatment sessions over five weeks” (p.128). The authors (Miyahira et al.) provide a detailed summary of the reports and this allows the audience to fully comprehend the research. Lastly, in “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions,” it also provides a practical summary. The abstract defines concept maps, the procedure, and the result of their research.
Furthermore, the introduction section of the lab report is where the author addresses why the research is significant, their hypothesis, and provides background information. As mentioned by McCarthy et al. (2013), “…the Nintendo Wii has sold over approximately 20 million in Wii Fit sales” (p.68). The authors (McCarthy et al.) also explain the benefits of the game console and their hypothesis that the console will enhance physical fitness. Also, when using words like “cardiopulmonary,” the author provides an example to help the reader understand the term. In addition the introduction of “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions,” it continually refers to many sources and compares these sources. However, the length of the introduction is too extensive and provides too much information on other research. The presentation also lacks a hypothesis. In “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters,” the author provides statics that state the significance of research and gets straight to the point. Therefore, the report The impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate” has the most effective introduction.
The objective of the section material and method is to show the audience the approach taken to conduct experimental research and credibility of the final results. The material section of the lab reports varies with descriptions and diagrams. All of the three lab reports display the material section in paragraph form that explained the participants and measuring tools. As mentioned by Gwo-Jen Hwang et al. (2013), “Experimental Group one, consisting of 31 students, learned with IWB-based concept mapping approach.” However, the only difference is in the report “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters”, the author provided a diagram for the participants and other variables. Additionally, the method or procedure of a lab report is the step by step detail. Furthermore, the experimental research “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions” and “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters” have a brief procedure. However, the procedure of “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions” has a diagram that further breaks down the steps. While in “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate,” the procedure is more detailed by explaining what tasks the participants have to follow every week. Along with the written method, the author provided pictures to show the way the tests are conducting. The additional diagrams and photographs make the procedure more coincide and clear. Therefore, the best lab report is “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters” it is more descriptive.
The following section of the lab reports was the results and the discussion that analyzed the results gained. The results in “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters” is displayed through a table and a graph. These diagrams of this are the most effective because, they are labeled, organized, and visually pleasing. Below there are diagrams, a brief explanation helps the reader further understand the data. Similarly, the report “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions” provides three tables. However, in the tables, it uses variables to present value like T and F, which makes it difficult to comprehended data. While in “The Impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate,” this lab report shows the second most effective data. It has three visually easy diagrams to read and has a key to help the reader further understand the information. The data of the effect in flexibility and heartbeat are distributed into three diagrams because it avoids compacting information into one table. The discussion for the lab reports “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions” and “The Impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate” provide a precise analysis of the result and refer back to their findings. According to Gwo-Jen Hwang et al. (2013), For example, one of the students states that “Although it was fun to interact with the teacher and my classmates on the IWB, I did not have much time to organize what I learned in this subject unit” (p.280). The stated quote shows how technology impacts the engagement of students.The authors of these lab reports used their findings in the discussion section to further analyze the question they are investigating. In “The Effectiveness of VR Exposure Therapy for PTSD in Returning Warfighters,” the discussion and results are combined. By combing these two sections, it makes the writing feel like it’s being rushed.
Lastly, the author states the main points, findings, and reviews the hypothesis that was tested (Markel, 2014). In addition the author Miyahira et al., reinforces the theory made and states the significance of this experimental research. However, the author refrains from using data in conclusion. Furthermore, “The Impact of Wii Fit Yoga in Flexibility and Heart Rate” is a brief sum-up of the report on a couple of sentences that states how the study offers evidence of how Wii Fit promotes flexibility. This conclusion is as undetailed as the one written by Miyahira et al. Lastly, “Effects of Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and Perceptions” bullet point the important highlight for the readers and compared this result to others. Additionally, these lab reports have an acknowledgment where the authors give thanks to those who helped contribute to the research.
Overall, the experimental research that was the most effective was “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate.” This lab report ensured that each section was detailed and understandable to the readers. The data diagram was visually pleasing, and the information was well presented. The significance and purpose of the research were maintained throughout the report. With all these qualities, the lab report “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate” executed most effectively.
Reference page:
Gwo-Jen Hwang, Chih-Hsiang Wu, & Fan-Ray Kuo. (2013). Effects of
Touch Technology-based Concept Mapping on Students’ Learning Attitudes and
Perceptions. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 16(3), 274–285.
Markel, Mike. Technical Communication + Launchpad, 6-Month Access. Bedford Bks St Martin’s, 2015.
McCarthy, H., Brazil, S. T., Greene, J. C., Rendell, S. T., & Rohr, L. E.
(2013). The impact of Wii Fit™ yoga training on flexibility and heart rate. International SportMed
Journal, 14(2), 67–76.
Miyahira, S. D., Folen, R. A.,
Hoffman, H. G., Garcia-Palacios, A., Spira, J. L., & Kawasaki, M. (2012). The effectiveness of VR
exposure therapy for PTSD in returning warfighters. Studies In Health Technology And
Informatics, 181, 128–132.
Lab Report Analysis Reflection
In this assignment, we composed a rhetorical analysis based on the similarities and differences of three lab reports. The purpose of this assignment was to get familiar with the format of a lab report and further explore the qualities of the three labs to help us write an effective lab report. To continue, the genre of the rhetorical analysis is an analytical essay because of the characteristic features. An analytical essay interprets and examines a text by focusing on the author’s writing features. Also, an analytical essay contains a personal response to the texts and an argument that corresponds with your analysis. In the case of this essay, we analyzed three lab reports and established an argument of which lab report was the most effective. Therefore, the exercise is to be able to write an effective lab report by acknowledging the format and good writing qualities analyzed in this assignment. The motivation was to gain prior knowledge on how to write a research paper by thoroughly analyzing these three lab reports. To add on, the potential audience for this rhetorical analysis is college peers and professor Elizabeth von Uhl. The stance of this essay is that the lab report “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate” by Miyahira et al. is the most effective of the three reports. As the writer, I am trying to connect to the audience by analyzing and providing eventual support to convey that the lab report “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate” is the most effective. By acknowledging the audience, it helped me keep a formal and respectful tone. Therefore, it can give a concise and convincing argument through the medium of a traditional written report to connect with my targeted audience.
Furthermore, this assignment has helped me achieve the Course Learning outcomes. By writing this essay, I was able to explore the genre of an analytical essay. By studying this style essay, it has given me an insight into how to structure and writing components for it. I was able to further examine the rhetorical situations by making sure the incorporation of a stance, purpose, and targeting a specific audience into my writing. For example, by acknowledging my position, it has helped me maintain the main focus in my writing. Through this assignment, I was also “developed strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing.” When writing this essay, I followed the process. The first approach in writing this rhetorical analysis essay was reading and annotating three lab reports. By interpreting the reading, I was able to develop the strategy of detecting rhetorical terms and essential information. For instance, in the introduction of these three lab reports contained the purpose of their investigation. In “The impact of Wii Fit yoga in flexibility and heart rate” began the report by stating the importance of physical fitness and its connections to the Wii game console. Afterward, I drafted this essay by using the readings and outlining what each body paragraph should contain. Then by collaborating with my classmates, I further developed my skills for revising. I was able to give feedback to my peers, and this helped me recognize the aspects that I was missing in writing. Also, by providing my feedback to classmates, I saw some elements that I can incorporate to strengthen my writing. The revising and editing process of writing was more smoothly with the feedback given. Overall during the process of writing this essay, I was able to further develop strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing. To continue, another course learning I was able to achieve was to locate research sources in the library’s database. The three lab reports that I used in this assignment were from the library’s database called JSTOR and EBSCOhost. The database ranged from academic journals, magazines, books, newspapers, and more. The credibility of these sources was made by viewing the editors, publishing year, and if it’s a primary or secondary source. These elements that contributed to the reliability are in the database along with the source. Another learning outcome I achieved was, “Compose texts that integrate your stance with appropriate sources using strategies such as summary, critical analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and argumentation.” In this essay, I analyzed each section of the lab report separately, thereby thoroughly examining the parts and looking at how all the information. For example, I examined the abstract, introduction, procedure, results, tables or graphs, conclusion, and a reference page. I also used the strategy of synthesis by connecting two texts and comparing them. Therefore, I was able to support my stance by developing an argument, analysis, and a summarizing section of the lab reports. Lastly, in this assignment, I practiced the systematic application of citation conventions and in-text citations. These lab reports had more than one author and had very long titles; therefore, it was challenging to cite them in the text. However, by referring to the Ashford University APA citing guidelines, it helped me cite quotes, paraphrases, and sources with more than one author. Since I haven’t cited in APA format, this reference was beneficial. Therefore, this assignment has helped me further develop and achieve the skills in the Courses Learning Outcomes.
