Lab Report Instructions

Lab Reports are used around the world to report scientists’ findings. In this case, I will be using your lab report to evaluate your performance in lab and how well you learned from it. However, from high school reports to formal submissions to scientific journals, there are expectations for how a proper report should look.

  1. Always label each report with your name, your lab partner's name, the date the report is turned in and the title of the lab.
  2. Immediately after the title you must reproduce the following Academic Integrity Statement – “I certify that this lab report is my own work, except for properly referenced and cited information. I have adhered to all guidelines published in the student handbook on Academic Integrity, as well as all guidelines published for this class in the Syllabus and Academic Integrity Handouts”
  3. Lab Reports must be typed. If you do not have access to a computer and internet service please discuss your options privately with me prior to the first lab report due date.
  4. Lab Reports should be written in 12pt font, be double spaced, and have normal margins.
  5. Subscripts and Superscripts should be used properly for things like the sulfate ion (SO42-).
  6. Occasionally you may need to insert a Greek letter or other funky symbol. This can be done from the Insert menu in any word processing program. You can also insert arrows for chemical reactions here.
  7. If at all possible, you should use Equation Editor to display your calculations. If it is not possible then they must still be typed as neatly and clearly as possible.
  8. Ignorance is not an excuse for failing to follow these requirements. If you do not understand them, then please ask me for help.
  9. Lab Reports must be submitted electronically on TurnItIn.com. The lab report must be uploaded by the start of your class on the due date. Any submissions after this time will be considered late.
  10. Write in complete sentences and full paragraphs for every non-calculation based question. Fully defend and elaborate on every answer.Any questions asking for calculations must show standard mathematical notation rather than writing the answer out in words.
  11. Poor grammar and spelling detracts from the message of your report. Even though I am not an English teacher, I will take off points if I cannot understand what you are trying to say because of poor grammar and spelling.
  12. If you do any external research for a question you must cite the information using proper MLA style. Please refer to the Academic Integrity Handouts and MLA Reference Sheets for this information.
  13. You must ALWAYS turn in your ORIGINAL DATA SHEET. In the real world at universities and in industry, original data is kept on file for years and is often used to settle patent disputes or to backup or refute scientists' findings. The original data sheet does not have to be pretty. It must be
  14. Written in blue or black ink
  15. Have NO white-out. Any mistakes should be struck through with a single line only. Do not obliterate mistakes.
  16. Never be rewritten for any reason.
  17. Always include qualitative observations.
  18. Always turned into the basket on the day the lab report is due.
  19. Include each element that is specifically requested on the lab handout. Expectations for common elements are listed below. Not all of these items are required for every lab. These elements must be in the required order. You are never allowed to place questions or elements out of order and then refer me to them.
  20. Purpose – A brief paragraph discussing the purpose of the lab and the concepts that it demonstrates or the relationships you are studying.
  21. Hypothesis – A brief paragraph describing what you think the results of the experiment will be. This should be a specific statement and numeric when possible. A hypothesis must be a testable prediction.
  22. Materials and Procedure – A comprehensive description of all materials used and methods for completing the lab. This will only be required when you have been given latitude to design your own procedure to complete the experiment. Since not everyone’s procedure will be the same, I expect to be able to reproduce your experiment from this section alone.
  23. Analysis – Answer any questions listed on your lab section here. You will frequently be asked to write a description of what the results mean. This should be in complete sentences and fully explain your results in paragraph format. Please give detailed responses to the questions, using supporting data from the lab when possible. You may also be asked to complete calculations in this section. Please note that all expectations for solutions to problems are in effect for this section.
  24. Conclusions – A paragraph describing the overall results of the lab, the relationships discovered, and the connections to the material being studied in class.

TurnItIn.com Upload Instructions:

  1. Go to TurnItIn.com and click the “Create Account” link in the upper right hand corner. Follow the instructions for new students. Please write down the email address and password that you use for this account. I cannot retrieve or reset these for you. If you have an existing account, you are welcome to use it.
  2. You will be asked for a class ID number and password. Please carefully select your class so that you are enrolled in the correct block. The password for all classes is atkins. The class ID numbers are as follows:

1stFall – 5414735

3rd Fall - 5414746

4th Fall – 5414763

  1. You will eventually see a screen that displays the class in which you are enrolled and my name. Clicking on this class name will bring you to a list of assignments. To submit a lab report or assignment, find it on the list and click Submit.
  2. It is preferred to use the single file upload method. Please carefully read the requirements for file types. If you can use your word processing program to export to one of the preferred file types, then please do. If you cannot, then please use the cut and paste upload method. Fill the in the appropriate boxes and select the file to upload if applicable, then click upload.
  3. You will be taken to a preview screen where it will show you what you have just submitted. Please bear in mind that this is a preview of the text only, not including any calculations in equation editor or pictures you may have included. All of this is still included in the regular file. Click the submit button to confirm submission.
  4. You will receive an email confirmation verifying that your lab report has been successfully uploaded. Please keep this email until you receive your grade on the lab report in case of any issues with uploading.
  5. All comments and your final lab grade will be posted on turnitin.com. Go to your submitted lab report and click on the GradeMark button in the upper left corner of the screen. In the window on the right side of the screen, go to the bottom and click the little comment bubble ( ). This will allow you to view the comments I have made and any points deducted. Please review each lab after it has been graded to ensure that you understand why points were deducted. This will prevent you from repeating mistakes on future labs. In my experience, students who do not check their grades continue to make the same mistakes, and often lose significant points on each lab.