Basic Lab Report Format
Title: Include a title that is descriptive of the laboratory experiment. It should not be cute and may be rather long, should include both the IV and DV. (1)
Purpose: This is a statement, usually only one sentence, that states why the experiment was conducted. (2)
Background: When writing a formal lab report, you need to prepare the reader of the report to understand vocabulary and concepts he or she will encounter throughout the lab. This section introduces these vocabulary terms and concepts (what is already known about the topic?) The concepts should be explained with examples, prior experiments etc. (5) The background also details the reason for performing the experiment (details for why the experiment is important) (5). This section is designed to help the reader to understand your research and should be informative. (10 total)
Materials: list all materials used in the lab (with concentrations and amounts) (2)
Procedures/Methods: Number the different steps, please be specific but conciseAND say why you did each step; include pictures/drawings if needed. (3)
Results (Data and Observations): All data tables, observations and graphs should appear in this section and each table and graph should be appropriately titled. After the tables and graphs should be a summary statement of the data (this should be a description of what the data did NOT WHY!). (15)
Sample Calculations: include a sample of how every number was calculated. Sample should have two parts: a generic formula then a formula with the numbers plugged in. Note: in limiting reagent labs ALL calulcations must be shown separetly not just one sample. (5)
Discussion: 1. Restate the purpose of the lab. 2. The data must be explained in this section. In other words, the writer should identify any relationships and/or patterns established by the data and graphs and explain these relationships and patterns. 3. Explain sources of error and ways of minimizing errors in future experiments should be suggested. 4. Was the purpose fulfilled? If so, how? If not, why not? 5. What is the "big picture" and how does this relate to the big picture? (15) Answer any questions prompted by the teacher or included in the lab directions. (5-10) (20-25 total)
AVOID USING PRONOUNS IN YOUR LAB REPORT!!!!
50-55 pts per lab (-5 for each handwritten section, -1/pronoun, -1/spelling or major grammar error, and -1 for any chemistry symbol errors)