LAB REPORT TEMPLATE

Problem:
Introduce the problem in the form of a question about the problem that is not a “yes” or “no” type question or has multiple choices. It should be more like a “how” question – how will [change in independent variable] affect [change in the dependent variable].
Hypothesis:
Predict the outcome of the experiment, must be in an “if…then…because” format. You’re explaining a possible cause and effect relationship with a rationale. Example: “If I (do this to the independent variable] then (it will affect the dependent variable in this manner)”. You should be able to test it and it should also have a chance to fail.
Materials:
(What equipment and materials do you need? Also mention any special hardware or connections. List the name and amount of each item used.)
Procedures: What steps did you take to accomplish this lab assignment? How did you design your experiment? What are your independent, dependent, and controlled variables? How are you testing your independent variable? Write the procedure as a list of numbered steps.
1-  …
2-  …
3-  …
Data / Observations:
Record the data that is required at each step of the lab. A data table is always required. Qualitative observations are required (using your senses). Quantitative data is required for measurements.
Analysis:
What did you learn? Explain your data / number in words. Making graphs and equations depend on the lab. What relationship(s) did you see with the variables? Give details on anything that went wrong. Discussion questions arisen from pre-lab discussion also make for good analysis. What improvements or changes can be made to this experiment? What other inferences can be made?
Conclusion: What conclusions can you draw form the results of this lab assignment – did it support your hypothesis or did it support another possibility? Was it inconclusive (didn’t support one or another)? Summarize and compare the results of the experiment with your hypothesis.

Final Note:

Lab reports are often 2 to 3 pages; sometimes more (much more). The more detail you can put into your procedures, data, and analyses, the better your grade will be (in general).

Lab Report Owner______

Lab Report Grading Criteria / Score
Organization
a.  ___Wrong order.
b.  ___Missing Parts
c.  ___Scribbles / doodles.
d.  ___Inappropriate pen or pencil color(s) (unless color coding).
e.  ___Crumpled or torn paper / ______/ 5
Heading
a.  ___Incorrect format / missing information.
b.  ___Wrong place. / ______/ 5
Problem
a.  ___Not in question format (how or what).
b.  ___Confusing / too generalized / no possible hypothesis. / ______/ 5
Hypothesis
a.  ___Does not logically answer the question / problem.
b.  ___Vague or too generalized.
c.  ___Can’t be tested.
d.  ___Doesn‘t have a chance to fail (too simplistic).
e.  ___Not an if…then statement / ______/ 5
Materials
a.  ___Missing needed materials.
b.  ___Missing amounts or quantity.
c.  ___Not organized or list format.
d.  ___Unnecessary materials. / ______/ 10
Procedure
a.  ___Steps are not listed and numbered.
b.  ___Steps are unclear or confusing.
c.  ___Independent, dependent, control variables aren’t identified.
d.  ___Materials and their uses are not given.
e.  ___Missing procedure for testing or measuring. / ______/ 20
Data / Observations
a.  ___Missing necessary data table
b.  ___Data tables are unlabeled.
c.  ___Insufficient qualitative data / observations. / ______/ 20
Analysis
a.  ___Does not interpret data collected.
b.  ___Does not identify problems or errors encountered.
c.  ___Does not suggest improvements or alternative methods.
d.  ___Insufficient quantitative data / missing graph / missing calculations. / ______/ 20
Conclusion
a.  ___Does not explain if data supports the hypothesis or a different one.
b.  ___Has analysis items / topics in the conclusion. / ______/ 10
TOTAL / _____ / 100

Lab Report Owner______

Lab Report Grading Criteria / Score
Organization
a.  ___Wrong order.
b.  ___Missing Parts
c.  ___Scribbles / doodles.
d.  ___Inappropriate pen or pencil color(s) (unless color coding).
e.  ___Crumpled or torn paper / ______/ 5
Heading
a.  ___Incorrect format / missing information.
b.  ___Wrong place. / ______/ 5
Problem
a.  ___Not in question format (how or what).
b.  ___Confusing / too generalized / no possible hypothesis. / ______/ 5
Hypothesis
a.  ___Does not logically answer the question / problem.
b.  ___Vague or too generalized.
c.  ___Can’t be tested.
d.  ___Doesn‘t have a chance to fail (too simplistic).
e.  ___Not an if…then statement / ______/ 5
Materials
a.  ___Missing needed materials.
b.  ___Missing amounts or quantity.
c.  ___Not organized or list format.
d.  ___Unnecessary materials. / ______/ 10
Procedure
a.  ___Steps are not listed and numbered.
b.  ___Steps are unclear or confusing.
c.  ___Independent, dependent, and control variables aren’t identified.
d.  ___Materials and their uses are not given.
e.  ___Missing procedure for testing or measuring. / ______/ 20
Data / Observations
a.  ___Missing necessary data table
b.  ___Data tables are unlabeled.
c.  ___Insufficient qualitative data / observations. / ______/ 20
Analysis
a.  ___Does not interpret data collected.
b.  ___Does not identify problems or errors encountered.
c.  ___Does not suggest improvements or alternative methods.
d.  ___Insufficient quantitative data / missing graph / missing calculations. / ______/ 20
Conclusion
a.  ___Does not explain if data supports the hypothesis or a different one.
b.  ___Has analysis items / topics in the conclusion. / ______/ 10
TOTAL / _____ / 100