Title / A lab title is clearly present at the beginning of the lab report
(1) / A lab title is missing from the
lab report
(0)
Purpose / The purpose is clearly stated and accurately reflects the purpose of the lab
(2) / The purpose is stated but does not accurately reflect the purpose of the lab
(1) / The objective is not included in the lab report
(0)
Hypothesis / The hypothesis is clearly stated and is testable.
(2) / The hypothesis is stated, but is not testable.
(1) / The hypothesis is not stated.
(0)
Introduction/Abstract / The introduction is present and is informational. It contains all pertinent definitions & calculation explanations. The main points of the lab are stated.
(4) / The introduction is present, but does not contain all of the information needed to clearly explain the lab. There are definitions & calculations, but no explanation as to how they pertain to the lab.
(3) / The introduction gives the main points, but does not explain anything in detail.
(2) / There is not meaningful introduction.
(0)
Materials / A complete materials list is present.
(3) / An incomplete materials list is present.
(2) / There are no materials listed.
(0)
Procedure / A sketch of the experimental setup and a brief description of what was done to accomplish the objective that is clear enough so that the experiment could be reproduced is included. (3) / A sketch and description of the experiment are included but are not clear enough so that the experiment could be reproduced.
(2) / Either the sketch or the description of what was done is missing from the report.
(1) / The sketch and description of what was done are both missing from the report
(0)
Data/
Calculations/Results / Data is complete and is presented by tables. All proper units are included.
(4)
A sample of all calculations is correctly presented in a neat, orderly fashion with the remaining results presented in a table. All formulas and units are present.
(6) / Data is complete but may not be presented in a neat manner or is missing some proper units
(3)
A sample of all calculations is present but:
- includes minor errors or
-is not presented in a neat, orderly fashion or
-is missing formulas or units
(5) / Data is incomplete
(missing measurements, observations, or given information)
(1)
Some sample calculations are missing from the lab report
Or
There are some major errors in the calculations
(3) / Data is not present in the lab report
(0)
The calculations are in complete error or are missing from the report.
(0)
Graphs / Graphs are correctly completed with title, labeled axes, and line of best fit (4) / Graphs are missing either a title, labeled axis, or line of best fit
(2) / Graphs contain major errors
(1) / Graphs are missing from the report
(0)
Conclusion/Discussion / The conclusion includes a discussion of the results and cites specific evidence, discusses the validity of the experiment including experimental error,
(7) / The conclusion lacks one of the following:
-citing of specific evidence
-discussion of validity/error
(5) / The conclusion lacks two of the following:
-citing of specific evidence
-discussion of validity/error
(3) / The conclusion is grossly incomplete or is not present
(0)
Error / Discussion of error is present and the effect on the results are explained with respect to literature results. Methods of improvement are evident.
(4) / Discussion of error is present, but effect on results is not.
Methods of improvement are evident
(3) / Discussion of error is present, but effect on results is not.
Methods of improvement are not evident.
(2) / Discussion of error is not present.
(0)
Name(s)
Date
Class Name
Pd #
Title:What is the title to your experiment?
Purpose:
This gives the objective of the activity. What is the purpose of your experiment?
Why are you performing the experiments or what you are trying to obtain from
performing the experiment.
At least 1 sentence.
Hypothesis:
If…then statement that is an educated guess as to the outcome of the experiment.
Using your prior experiences, propose a suggested solution to your problem/question that will be based on the collected data.
Experimenters may test and reject several hypotheses before solving the problem.
Be sure to make a hypothesis that is easily testable.
Introduction/Abstract:
Identify the science behind the experiment. What are we trying to illustrate here, scientifically. Be sure to define scientific terms as they apply or relate to the lab. Include a description of the control, constants, dependent and independent variables. All reactions that occur during the experiment should be included here, if there are any. All formulas to be used in the calculations should be shown and explained, if there are any. The idea is to convey the main points of the experiment to a casual reader without having him read the whole report.
Materials:
Provide a list of all materials used to perform the experiment.
NOTE: In chemistry or biology this section may be broken in to 2 sections
Lab Equipment: What lab equipment did you use? List them here.
Lab Reagents: What materials/chemicals did you use? List them here. Do not put the concentrations--they will be listed in the procedure.
Procedure:
Describe the steps taken to reach your results. Cut and dry—you are only trying to convey a mental picture of what you did. Needs to be repeatable and in past tense.
Numbered or sentences.
A sketch of the lab setup may be included.
Data/Calculations/Results:
What were the results of this experiment? Quantitative & qualitative data.
This section successfully integrates verbal and visual representations.
(Tables can be used in this section)
Any equations used to determine the results should be discussed here.
Show a sample calculation for each explained equation used to analyze the data. Don’t forget to label everything and provide the correct units.
Graphs:
Graphs need to include a title, labeled axes, and line of best fit (if applicable).
Graphs may not be necessary for each experiment.
Conclusions/Discussion:
A conclusion includes a discussion of the results and cites specific evidence, discusses the validity of the experiment including experimental error.
What were the numerical results of the lab? What were the observable results of the lab? Compile your data in an easily understood explanation. Use your skills of comparing and contrasting to explain your analyzed data. How do the results of the lab relate to the purpose? How does this relate to your hypothesis?—was your hypothesis accepted or rejected? If rejected, make a new hypothesis. Error analysis—what is your value and how does it compare to the literature value. % error calculations must be included in the Data/Calculations/Results section.
Error:
Scientific error analysis is not people error--Do not say that you calculated wrong or that you didn’t measure something properly—this just tells the reader that all of your information could be based on silly mistakes.What could have gone wrong to cause your results to vary from the literature results? Why are your results different? Also discuss any known “mistakes” in this section (i.e. breaking the equipment, spilling or splashing of the reagents…). What affects did those errors cause? How did the results get skewed? Suggest methods of improvement to make the experiment better.