You are encouraged to look at other laboratory reports when writing your own report. Reading other people's well-written reports can help provide ideas on how to write your own report. However, there is a fine line between "looking at another report" and "copying another report". The following are examples of plagiarism:
• Copying text verbatim from its source without referencing and without putting the quote in quotation marks. Quotes in a report tend to be distracting and should be limited to those cases where the exact wording of the quoted text is essential. Other laboratory reports cannot be referenced, as they are not published.
• Copying figures, tables and/or calculations without referencing their source. Using someone else's computer file and/or experimental data is also considered copying, even with minor changes. Redrawing a figure, using your own program, is acceptable. Again, other laboratory reports cannot be referenced.
Make sure you have read sections 30.3.2 (Inappropriate Academic Behaviour) as well as 30.3.3 (Inappropriate Behaviour in Professional Programs). Updated versions of both of these sections can be found from the following link:
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/CodeofStudentBehaviour/COSBIndividualHyperlinkedSections.aspx
EFFECTIVE WRITING
As you prepare your report, consider the following:
• You are not writing the report for yourself, you are writing it for someone else. Make it as easy as possible to understand.
• Is the material logically arranged?
• Is the information complete or have certain important facts been omitted?
• Is the discussion clear? Does each paragraph and each sentence clearly and precisely convey the desired information?
• Do the tables, figures, and schematic diagrams present the required information in the best possible form?
• Has the report been thoroughly checked for errors in spelling and grammar?
5. GENERAL REPORT FORMATTING
5.1. General Information
Laboratory or literature data are of limited value unless they are accurate, logically arranged, and presented clearly to those who require them. The most convenient and permanent form of presentation is a formal written report. An outline of the sections normally included in such a report is given in the following notes and should be followed unless a modification will improve the effectiveness of a report. No modifications in format are to be employed without prior consultation with the appropriate course instructor.
Page Formatting
Reports are to be professional in appearance and quality. Reports that do not adhere to the following standards will not be accepted.
• All reports are to be typewritten.
• Equations and complicated expressions can not be handwritten (i.e. use the Equation Editor).
• All equations are to be centered on separate lines.
• Font size must be 12-pt Times New Roman (smaller font size will not be accepted).
• 1.5 line spacing (including tables, Table of contents, List of figures, List of tables, Nomenclature and references).
• 8.5" 11" unlined white paper with 2.54 cm (1”) margins on all four sides (excluding appendices).
• Text must appear on only one side of the page.
• Do not start a sentence with a symbol or a number.
• Appendices must be prepared on engineering paper and should employ only an HB pencil (unless typewritten on plain white paper).
5.2. Length of the Report
For ChE 351, the body of the first report must not be more than 12 pages in length including figures and tables. For the second report the page limit increases to 18 pages. For ChE 454 there is a 25 page limit for the body of the report, including tables and figures. The page limit excludes the report reader signature page (cover sheet), single page summary, table of contents, list of figures, list of tables, nomenclature, references and appendices. If a submitted report contains more than the maximum allowable number of pages, the pages over the limit will not be graded!
