Rhetorical Analysis of 3 Lab Reports
Angel Acevedo
Grove School of Engineering, City College of New York
ENGL 21007: Writing for Engineering
Professor Crystal Rodwell
3/22/2024
Introduction
What makes a lab report “good”? Lab reports are accounts of procedures or experiments conducted; which are presented with rich details. Lab reports’ descriptive nature regarding the experiment conducted is vital because it enables researchers to replicate the exact procedure conducted in the lab report, which validates the results of the experiment and helps researchers arrive at a consensus regarding the findings of the lab report. Lab reports are typically broken down into 9 vital components/sections: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Reference, and Appendices. These sections help assist researchers in pinpointing information and easily comprehending the content presented. Lab reports prove to be an important communication tool in various scientific fields, encourage replicability, and lead to advancement in the subject matter.
The theme of Lab Reports: Impact of digital devices on students
Digital devices are renowned for their benefits and drawbacks, in modern society. Resembling a double-edged sword in a sense. With a surging growth of mobile device users, these devices have become stapled and reshaped modern society and everyday life. These devices help facilitate and play an integral role in modern society, such as: improving our productivity, communication, learning, etc. To exemplify, South Korea in February of 2023, experienced 92% of its population ( roughly 47.87 million ) consuming digital media, and they average spend 1 hour and 11 min per day on digital media, across 4.5 media platforms, alone. ( Digital addiction source) With the vast growing reliance, dependencies, and users of mobile devices, students have faced upsides and downsides. Providing students with pros: access to information, enhancing learning opportunities, and networking opportunities; and cons: serving as distractions, leading to social isolation, mental health conflicts, and digital addictions. Digital devices and the advancements in technology will always come with advantages and disadvantages, it’s all about how you yield these tools.
Lab report # 1: Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention
Background Information
Lab report 1 is Social Media Addiction: Its Impact, mediation, and Intervention. In lab report 1, Yubo Hou, Dan Xiong, Tonglin Jiang, Lily Song, and Qi, 2019, conducted two studies, where they exhibited an experiment and survey, to identify the impact of social media platforms on college students and the effects of the intervention on social media users who had developed an addiction to these platforms. They performed two studies to obtain these results. In study 1, they surveyed a pool of 232 from Peking University, in China; rendering them with questionnaires, to assess the student’s mental health, self-esteem, and academic performance, to identify an association between social media addiction, self-esteem, academic performance and to establish that social media addictions were prevalence amongst the university students demographic. Study 1 concluded that a relationship between these factors existed with their findings but acknowledged the limitations of their methodology and study. In their second study, they examined 43 students( separate from the previous class), and divided them into a control and experimental group, to assess the benefits of the intervention, regarding social media addiction. The experimental group was trialed under a two-stage help intervention group. This study concluded the negative effects of social media addictions, whether it regards students’ self-esteem and academic performance, and that these issues have a solution.
Title
The title of a lab report is an essential component of the report. The purpose of a title is to convey and properly identify the focus of a study. Titles should be descriptive, informative(conveying the purpose of study), clear, and use general terms and key terms familiar to the intended audience, to increase the searchability and accessibility of the document.
The title of lab report 1 is “ Social Media Addiction: Its Impact, mediation, and Intervention”. The title conveniently conveys the focus of this study, in a clear and informative manner. This title uses key search terms regarding the focus study, such as Addiction, social media, impact, etc. This section could have benefitted by providing readers with a little insight into the experimentation, or sample demographic, to better understand the conduct of the study.
Abstract
The abstract of a lab report is usually a concise summary of a lab report, detailing the structural components of a lab report: Hypothesis, Methods, Findings/Results, Discussion, and conclusion; with the aim of captivating readers and providing insights into the lab report, to readers who might’ve not fully read the report. Since the abstract is the first element of a lab report readers engage with, abstracts need to be riddled with relevant details, highlighting the significance of said findings and their relevance to its particular field. Serving readers as a multifaceted tool.
Lab Report 1 provides readers with a mediocre abstract. It provides a brief overview of the methodology used in Study 1 and Study 2. Highlighting the survey conducted in Study 1 and the two-stage intervention program that students participated in Study 2. What lab report 1 fails to achieve is being informative. As it provided readers with a vague description of the purpose and the conclusion of this study. Presenting a short abstract, that leaves readers rendered with questions regarding the events of this lab report.
Introduction
The introduction is another vital component of a lab report. Laying down the groundwork and contextualizing a lab report. The purpose of an introduction in a lab report is to contextualize the study/hypothesis by supplying readers with background information relevant to the study, outlining the methodology, providing a purpose for the study, and how the study leads to any advancement in their field.
Lab Report 1 presents readers with an adequate introduction. Presenting background information, which helps emphasize/back the purpose and relevance of this study. Notably, in lab report 1, the authors use outside resources/studies to explain the looming outcomes of social media addictions and college students. Studies that exemplify threats, such as mental health issues ( anxiety, depression), long-term effects, and academic performance. The introduction of the lab report, as well, highlights the purpose of each of these studies and provides a brief description of the methodology and material used. The section as well, has great structure and organization because the authors decided to divide their introduction into subsections, enabling readers to pinpoint content.
Materials & methods
The materials and methods section of a lab report should provide a clear and
thorough description of the experiment and materials used, for the reader to perfectly emulate/recreate said experiment. This section is an essential component of a lab report because it helps validate the results of a study through replication of experiments from other researchers. Allowing researchers to arrive at a consensus regarding a study.
Lab report 1 has a great materials and methods section. This section breaks down the materials and methods of both studies. Providing background information regarding the context that led to their chosen methodology, backing their decision, with studies and sources. Elaborately detailing and describing the procedure for both descriptions. Highlighting how their data, sampling were gathered, and their survey design. The authors also present readers with technical language throughout this section and use proper and logical organizational structure. Utilizing subheadings that help facilitate navigating through the sections.
Results:
The results section should provide a clear understanding of the data garnered and present relevant data associated with the hypothesis of the experiments. This section should primarily be composed of raw data or properly labeled graphs to best illustrate the data collected. As well as emphasize the trends and patterns within the data
Discussion
The discussion section of a lab report is one of the most significant components of a lab report. The discussion section typically addresses any limits or uncertainty within a procedure. This section decomposes the findings of the study and provides an analysis of the data. Providing readers with an interpretation of the data and how the finding correlated with the hypothesis.
The authors of lab report 1 decided to combine their results and discussion sections for each of their studies. They also decided to provide readers with a general discussion section where they allocated readers with a general overview and analysis of both studies and their correlation as a whole, to their problem. This section supplies readers with detailed and labeled graphs and raw data, which allows for a better understanding of the material presented in these sections. Limitations for both studies were presented. For instance, the authors argue that the sample of students from a singular course, psychology, that partook in the survey, diminishes the validations. Lab report 1 offers readers a well-suited results and discussion section since it supplies readers with pertinent, related, and related information; presenting readers with a rich analysis of the content of their lab report. However, this section could be enhanced by the separation of the results and discussion, as the current structure design leads to the clustered arrangement of information, making it harder to navigate through this section.
Conclusion
The conclusion summarizes the experiment and the findings of the study. Addressing the success of the studies or the implications faced while conducting the procedure. Pinpointing errors or limitations faced during the experiment. The conclusion section also provides readers with an explanation of the data and how it pertains to the hypothesis. Lastly, some conclusions may offer guidelines for furthering the procedure.
Lab Report 1 conclusions were very weak. For instance, the section lacked any proper labeling under any subheading, making it difficult to locate. Additionally, it failed to reintroduce the purpose, hypothesis, and implications of the study, resulting in only a vague description of the findings of the report. In conclusion, this section was brief and provided little to no content on the study conducted.
Reference and appendices
Lastly, the reference section provides viewers with the location of any outside sources/evidence used throughout the lab report. The appendices sections offer readers additional supporting information regarding the subject matter discussed throughout the lab report, which is either raw data or too detailed to include in the report. Data or graphs meant to supplement the reader’s understanding of the content
Lab report 1 did not contain an appendices section, which was necessary because vital relevant information was missing from the report. Such as the surveys and questionnaires the students had taken. Additionally, the references in this lab report were properly cited and
Formatted.
Lab report 2: THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON STUDENTS’ READING
Background information
Mamadou Diallo, in 2023, conducted an observational study, in which he explored the potential impact of technology in an academic setting, particularly its effectiveness in enhancing the rate students learned English as a second language, in China. The experiment gathered data from a sample of 86 participants, composed of students, teachers, and parents; in China. Students were split into controlled and experimental groups, where the experimental groups learned reading English from a technology-based approach. The lab report concluded that technology could have a good impact as a supplement to the ways students learn, specifically reading/learning a new language.
Title
The title of Lab Report 2 ” THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON STUDENTS’ READING”, resembles that of Lab Report 1, as it uses key and simple terminology, facilitating the papers’ searchability. But, unlike lab report 1, this title provides slightly more insight into the lab report, as it addresses the demographic observed. Nonetheless, this section would have benefited greatly, if it presented the specificity regarding the procedure, as the title came across as relatively vague.
Abstract
The abstract of lab report 2 closely mirrors that of lab report 2, as both offer concise summaries of the lab reports but fail to summarize or mention a crucial component of the lab report. Lab Report 2’s abstracts state the aim of the paper, as it pertains to the effectiveness of technology on students’ learning capabilities. Emphasizing why the experiment is prevalent in modern society, due to its overwhelming influence on facets of modern life. Furthermore, this section briefly describes the study’s methodology. Although this section informs readers of some of the important sections of the lab report, it fails to address the findings/conclusion of this lab report, rendering readers uninformed about the results of the study.
Introduction:
Contrary to Lab Report 1, Lab Report 2 provides a lengthy and overwhelming introduction section, spanning 6 pages. Though informative, supplying readers with an abundance of background information and stating a well-written purpose of study, contextualized by said background information. Where this section unfortunately focuses its attention, is providing readers with background information; neglecting to present any methodology or the conclusion obtained during this study. Filled with redundant and unnecessary information, as its emphasis on background information hinders the proper execution of this section.
Materials and Methods
Similarly to lab report 1, the lab report presents an informative and coherent materials and methods section. The procedure and materials of this section are described with clear and informative rhetoric. Notably, the author addresses conflicts encountered during this experiment. Specifically conflicts of acquiring their sample size, due to the mandate of consent forms for experimentation of the students, due to their underage status. This section presents its methods and material in such a clear manner, that eases the emulation of this study by making it accessible for researchers to replicate.
Results
Unlike Lab Report 1, Lab Report decides to divide its results and discussion section, thereby avoiding cluttering structure and presenting information clearly and concisely. On the other hand, lab report 2, is riddled with graphs and raw data garnered from the experiment. Additionally, lab reports 2, properly and effectively structure, label, and contextualize their data to best illustrate the findings of their study. For example, the lab report displayed interviews with teachers, and students, as well as academic performances between the control and experimental groups.
Discussion
In comparison to Lab Report 1, and Lab Report 2, the discussion section is effectively executed. This section is composed of well-articulated claims and an analysis of the data garnered. Similarly to Lab Report 1, Lab Report 2, also addresses limitations within their experiment; deeming their experiment to be inclusive, as the data garnered in this experiment doesn’t help validate or prove their hypothesis, due to errors within their methodology. Additionally, this section, arriving at a general analysis of their study, has identified the benefits and drawbacks of technological devices’ impact on learning. This section’s rich detailing and analysis contribute to the proper execution displayed within this section.
Conclusion
Lab reports 2 offers a slightly improved conclusion compared to Lab reports 1 because it’s slightly more informative. While lab report 1’s conclusion is fairly brief, lab report 2 provides a summary of the findings obtained in the lab report. But fails to reiterate the purpose of the experiment.
Reference and Appendices
Lab report 2 exhibited proper execution of the reference and appendices section. Lab report 2 properly structured and composed the reference and citations used within the text Additionally, lab report 2, unlike lab report 1, utilizes the appendices sections, presenting readers an illustration of methods and forms used during the experiment, such as the consent forms, the teaching plan practice and the text students read.
Lab Report 3: Digital Addiction and Related Factors among College Students
Background
Survey experimentation was conducted in South Korea by Suk-Jung Han, Sugandha Nagduar, and Hea-Jin Yu. With the aim of correlating factors to digital addictions amongst college students and highlighting the impacts of social digital addictions. 199 university students from Seoul, South Korea were surveyed; answering questions regarding the effects and factors influencing digital addictions. participants answered a multitude of questionnaires, such as; a general health and a body shape questionnaire. These research correlation studies concluded prevalent issues regarding digital addiction and college students existed amongst the demographic and that factors, such as body dysmorphia and time management skills attributed to social media addictions amongst the demographic.
Title
Lab report 3’s title section resembles the previous lab reports, encountering similar conflicts. Similar to the previous lab reports, lab report 3 utilizes keywords and search terms relevant to the study. However, similarly to the previous lab report, lab report 3 provides the audience with a somewhat broad and vague title; failing to provide any additional information regarding the study conducted. The title “ Digital Addiction and Related Factors among College Students”, summarizes the purpose of this study but doesn’t encapsulate specifics regarding the procedure. In conjunction, the title for these lab reports was a little vague and broad, failing to encapsulate/illustrate the extent of the study conducted.
Abstract
In contrast to the aforementioned lab reports, lab report 3’s abstract is properly executed with completeness and informative nature. Like the previous lab reports, this section is filled with rich information about the study. As this section is a lab report 3 presents this section with a clear, coherent, and concise organizational structure. The author skillfully highlighted the subsections of the abstract, which helped enhance the clarity, focus, and structure; helping readers navigate and understand this section more deeply. Unlike the previous lab reports, Lab Report 3 fully encapsulated the main ideas of the finding, providing an informative description of the background/purpose, methods and an analysis of the data gathered, supplemented with raw data from the text.’
Introduction
Lab report 3 has an amazing introduction. Similar to lab report one, this section is presented in a concise manner filled with relevant details. Furnishing with background information that helped explain the rationale of their methodology. For instance, the researchers complemented the questionnaires utilized, with directly correlated research, demonstrating the relevance and prevalence of the problem discussed. This study emphasizes the importance of their research; which is due to the widespread increase of digital device users, in modern society, specifically South Korea. This section also promotes a brief description of the methodology used within the experiment parameters.
Methodology
The methodology was effectively presented very well in Lab 3, following a similar structure to the previous lab reports. Presenting readers with an informative and concise methodology section. Thoroughly elaborating the procedures during the experiment. Including the surveys used, the layout of the experiments, how the data was measured( statistical analysis), data collection, and references to the questionnaire and surveys used throughout the experiment. The author’s decision, to keep this section brief, is necessary due to the simplicity of the procedure.
Results
Similar to lab report 2, lab report 3 opts to divide its discussion and results section, to better illustrate the organization of the lab and facilitate readers navigating through the section when recanting information. This lab supplies readers with 4 different graphs and raw data, to best illustrate the trends present within the experiment and students’ responses. They emphasize trends regarding each graph and clearly label their graphs with context, facilitating the reader’s understanding of the content.
Discussion
this section in lab report 3 is well articulated. Offering readers with a deep analysis and understanding of their survey and results. It concludes, by emphasizing the prevalence of digital device addiction amongst the college student demographic and factors that are associated with such addictions. Similarly to the previous lab reports, acknowledge uncertainties and obstacles encountered during the procedure, which may hinder the validation of their assessment and encourage practical and academic implications of their studies. Notably, the promotion of awareness in universities regarding digital media addictions and their effects. Overall, this section was properly executed because it informed readers with insightful analysis and effectively met the criteria of a discussion section.
Conclusion
Unlike the previous lab reports, lab report 3 reiterates the purpose of the study and provides a more informative perspective/outlook on the findings of their experiment. Presenting the readers with a concise summary of the procedure and results of the study, thereby facilitating the overall comprehension of this section and study. In contrast to the previous
References and Appendices
The references were properly formatted using APA format under the reference section and properly referenced throughout the study. The authors effectively used the appendices section by containing raw data and graphs unrelated to the hypothesis and findings of the study, but to help enhance the understanding of the findings and their association with the hypothesis.
General Conclusion
Lab reports are a staple genre of literature within scientific fields, enabling researchers to thoroughly comprehend the content of a study and potentially emulate the experiment. To validate the findings and experiment of the procedure. Therefore, lab reports are extremely significant in determining the conclusion of a study, whether it is a genuine occurrence or just a potential misinterpretation of data or methodology.
Lab report 3, emerged as the most technically and structurally sound lab report out of the three lab reports analyzed. Lab report 3 utilizes simple terminology and concise but effective rhetoric to encapsulate their findings. Addressing every criterion of every section and providing readers with an insightful view of the content in every section. What Lab 1 would benefit from is providing an informative overview of the study. Similarly, to Lab Report 2, these two reports neglected to acknowledge relevant information regarding their study throughout sections of their lab report, such as the conclusion, introduction, and abstract sections of these reports and both papers also had issues regarding their structure and organization, leading to disorder and confusion within their paper. In conclusion, Lab Report 3 papers excel because their structure and choice of rhetoric enable readers to better navigate through the paper and comprehend the study effectively.
