Lab Report AssistantDear Science Student,

As you will learn from reading your manual, a formal Lab Report represents the culmination of your experimental activities. It summarizes your actions, observations, and conclusions, as well as demonstrates to your instructor that you have performed the experiment and what you have learned from doing so. In addition, the Lab Report usually forms the basis for your laboratory grade.

To facilitate your report writing and to take some of the formatting drudgery out of preparing the formal report, a Lab Report Assistant section has been added to this DVD. When you open one of these files you will see the Experiment Name at the top of the page. For each lab experiment, relevant procedural sections including necessary questions to be addressed and tables that should be integrated into the report are included. Files have been provided in two formats: 1) An Adobe PDF file with a typing tool included so that you can add text, or 2) An MS-Word document so that you can copy and paste questions and tables into your lab report document. You can use the option that best meets your needs. This will save you time and trouble plus allow you to input data directly into the pre-formatted tables. Note: The Word files are provided via an Adobe conversion which does not always properly handle capitalization in headers. We are working with Adobe to resolve this issue.Before writing a lab report, it is helpful to understand what instructors usually believe constitutes a good lab report and to know the criteria they often use to evaluate students reports. On the following page is a copy of a standard lab report grading rubric that is used by many science instructors. Invest a little time to study it and understand how instructors usually allocate points when grading reports. Familiarize yourself with the six standard sections of a lab report and the criteria on which they are evaluated. This will not only help you to write the A+ reports you deserve, it will also help you to focus your attention on the more relevant aspects of your experimentation activities so that you can better learn and address them in your report.

Understanding science is foundational to understanding ourselves and the world we live in plus essential to making the informed decisions that will preserve our planet for future generations. Apart from such lofty goals, it is fun and exciting to study science, perform hands-on labs, and experience first-hand how nature and the universe work. All the staff at Hands-On Labs wishes you a wonderful science learning experience as you work with the LabPaqs we have designed to enrich your course.

UnsatisfactoryBorderlineSatisfactoryExcellentScore

Title Page

Total = 5 pts.Missing more than two items, title, or names.

0-2 pointsContains title and all names; but two items are missing.

3 pointContains tile and names, but one item is missing.

4 pointsContains title, author and partners names, course name, experiment number; and report dates.

5 points

Abstract

Total =10 pts.No abstract, or incomplete purpose and/or incomplete results.

0-3 pointsIncludes adequate purpose and results, but not both.

5 pointsContains purpose and results, but some result details are missing.

8 pointsContains clear purpose statement and complete results.

10 points

Purpose/

Hypothesis

Total =10 pts.Incomplete purpose or hypothesis statement.

Incomplete or missing scientific principles or variables.

0-4 pointsAdequately states the correct purpose/

hypothesis, but scientific principles/ variables are missing.

6 pointsAdequately states correct purpose/ hypothesis, but either scientific principles or variables are missing.

8 pointsClearly states the correct purpose/ hypothesis, which scientific principles are to be tested and the variables involved.

10 points

Procedures

Total =10 pts.Unclear or missing instructions. Most steps are missing, income-plete, disorganized, or not sequential.

0-4 pointsVague instructions. Some steps missing, not well organized, or not fully sequential.

6 pointsIncludes a clear set of instructions. A few steps are missing. Reasonably well organized.

8 pointsIn clear, concise sentences with step-by-step format. Experiment can be replicated. Includes materials in methods..

10 points

Data/

Observations

Total =25 pts.Data is missing, incomplete, inaccurate, or has material defects;

No data tables when appropriate. Missing graphs. Most or all observations missing.

Incomplete or no calculations. Few questions answered.

0-12 pointsData presented, but poorly organized, inaccurate, or missing.

Graphs are inaccurate in data display, incorrectly or not labeled. Poor or incomplete observations Poor or incomplete calculations. Some questions answered.

16 pointsData presented clearly and neatly. Most charts, tables, diagrams, and graphs labeled and accurate; detailed and reasonably accurate observations. Most calculations shown and are correct. Most questions answered.

20 pointsData presented clearly and neatly. All charts, tables, diagrams, and graphs labeled and accurate. Appropriate type of graphing chosen. Detailed and accurate observations. Calculations shown and are correct. All questions correctly answered.

25 points

Results/

Analysis

Total =20 pts.Explanation of data is missing, inaccurate, or not expressed in complete sentences. Error analysis incom-plete, missing or wrong.

0-8 pointsIncomplete description of data; 3 or more important observations are missing. Error analysis is incomplete or only partially correct. 12 pointsResults stated correctly in complete sentences. No more than 1 or 2 important observations are missing. Error analysis present and correct.

15 pointsComplete description of what occurred stated in complete sentences. Data is used accurately in reporting/analyzing the results. Error analysis present and correct.

20 points

Conclusions

Total =20 pts.

Conclusion is missing or does not fully explain the objectives of the lab. Relevant vocabulary missing. No practical application given. Discussion of scientific principle missing. Only 1-2 sentences.

0-8 pointsConclusion explains the objective, but data is not used accurately to support it. Only 2-3 sentences.

12 pointsAdequate paragraph of explanation that includes supporting evidence with data, but missing big picture, scientific error, and/or additional inquiry suggestions. Good vocabulary use. Only 4-5 sentences.15 pointsWell written and logical paragraph of explanation supported by data that addresses the objectives, scientific principles, and ends with the big picture. Includes scientific error and pro-poses inquiry for un-answered questions

6+ sentences.

20 points

TOTAL POINTS OUT OF 100 POSSIBLE POINTS ______