The Ursinus Center for Writing and Speaking is a wonderful place to find help putting your thoughts on paper. Here, writing tutors are trained in numerous writing techniques, including lab and research formats, and can assist in any stage of the writing process, from outlining to final touches.
Visit the Center for Writing and Speaking's website here, where you can get tips and make an appointment with a Writing Fellow online.
Contact the Center for more information.
Different professors may expect lab reports for their classes to be written in specific ways, but all lab write-ups tend to follow a similar general format. Below are a few useful links for help in formatting your lab reports.
Although the sciences are surely different than studies in the humanities, lab reports and research write ups are actually quite similar to essay writing.
Both forms of writing follow a specific format, often starting with an introduction which reviews historic and relevant information, shortly followed by a hypothesis or some challenge which is to be proven, solved, or elaborated upon. Following sections present detailed information that is analyzed either in part or as a whole, and in the end some conclusion is reached that makes sense of the data.
Like any other writing, scientific papers and journals must be clear and concise for information to be shared with readers. Therefore, writing skills are always a strong asset for scientists and science students. There are many websites which offer advice on how to write papers and formalize research, and feature guidelines to numerous formats, but don't forget about important local tools, like the Writing Center and the Library!
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is one of the most comprehensive writing guides available. Its features include step-by-step procedures for formatting and citation, spanning several writing styles, and has pages dedicated to subject-specific writing, including technical, engineering, medical, and journalism.
For a quick refresher or to learn how to organize your thoughts and denote important facts in writing, the Purdue OWL is a great site to check out for students of all disciplines.
You can find the Purdue Owl Writing Lab at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
