Lab Report Check List

Lab Report Check list

Prep material: Lab handouts (chem.gmu.edu/results), blue lab manual, your own pre-lab notes/observations

Lab Reports–Expect to use both Microsoft Word and Excel

·  Organization–

o  Title Page,Purpose, Procedure, Results & Calculations, and Discussion/Conclusion, References, and prelab

·  Format

o  Double spaced, 11-12 point font

o  No personal pronouns – no “I”, “we” “she” “he”

Grading Rubric

·  Title Page(cover page): Title header (clear and large), name, the date, class section, lab partners, and lab TA

·  Results –

o  Raw data from either or your lab manual or class data obtained from the chem.gmu.edu/results retrieval

o  Have class calculated data table, based upon what is needed for data analysis (read handouts given or via chem.gmu.edu/results)

o  Figures and table

§  Should be labeled “Figure 1”, “Figure 2”, “Table 1”, “Table 2”,

§  Label the x and y axis in graphs

§  Label columns with the proper units, trial, and chemical (ie penny #1 mass (g) or volume of NaOH (mL))

§  Large tables (easily read), embedded within word document, try not to have it break over pages

·  Calculations: may be handwritten in pen if necessary. Section class data will be posted on excel at tha4.pbworks.com.

o  Show sample calculations using your own individual values and unknowns

§  Ie grams of CO2=20 g CO2 x (1 mol/44 g CO2 ) = 0.45 mol CO2

o  You do not have to show sample calculations for the entire class, but you do have to solve it in your excel spreadsheet

o  Use proper sig figs

o  Values and equations should be properly superscript or subscript IE C2O4 should be written as C2O4

·  Discussion/Conclusion–

o  DO NOT follow the discussion questions in the lab notebook.

o  About 1 page double spaced for your conclusion (at most 2 pages)

o  Refer to your previous figures and tables as (table 1) or (figure 1) in your calculations

o  observations should be quantitative, specific, and serve a purpose in your discussion

o  Cite any external information in your discussion

Focus your discussion with strategies like these:

1.  Compare expected results with those obtained.
If there were differences, how can you account for them? Saying "human error" implies you are incompetent. Be specific in your statements. For example: the instruments could not measure precisely; the sample was not pure or was contaminated; calculated values did not take account of friction.
2.  Analyze experimental error.
Was it avoidable? Was it a result of equipment?What kind of error is it? If an experiment was within the tolerance limit, you can still account for the difference from the ideal. If the flaws result from the experimental design, explain how the design might be improved.
3.  Relate results to your experimental objective(s).
In making conclusions and/or assumptions, be sure you have enough background information to make anintelligentandinformeddecision. Use your textbook, your lab manual, online sources, and cite them to support why you think you got significant key findings.
4.  Compare your results to similar investigations.
In some cases, it is legitimate to compare outcomes with classmates; not to change your answer, but to look for any anomalies between the groups and discuss those.
5.  Analyze the strengths and limitations of your experimental design.
Note what can be done to improve the lab, and why you think it’s necessary.