75

Physics Lab Write Ups Data Given and Data Collecting

There will be two types of Lab Write up in this Course 1) Data Given Lab and 2) Data Collecting Lab
(Formal Lab Report).
1)The Data Given Lab requires the following sections:
Title: Make up an informative title for what the lab is about; make sure your rewrite the title in your
table of contents.
Date: When did you do the lab? (Year, Day, Month, Time)
Abstract: The abstract is a miniature version of the whole report. Your abstract should emphasize the
objective, procedure, results and significance. Use this section to demonstrate how all the information
holds together. The Abstract should be no more than a paragraph in length. Since the abstract is a
summary of the report, you cannot write it until after you have completed the report.
Data Processing and Presentation: This will usually involve plotting a graph(s) or construct of a
result table. Make sure your final result(s) is to the correct number of significant figures. Some Data
Given Labs will be series of questions if so then answer the questions in this section (not the Question
Section)

Conclusion (Note: this conclusion has one section)

i) Interpretation: This is the most important part of the report because it shows how well you have
understood the experiment. Answer the question, What is the relationship between my results and
theory? You need to decide if you have done what you set out to do in the Object, and to state clearly
what you have concluded from your results.
Questions: Put your answers to the questions asked (if any) in this section.

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Data Given Lab Rubric

Section
Date

Title

Abstract

Analysis
(Data
Processing
Presentation)

Interpretation

Post-Lab
Questions

Details
Year, Day,
Month, Time
(Communication)
Clear and
Descriptive
(Communication)
What you did,
and your results.
Should be
brief!!!!
(Communication)
Processing raw
data (Inquiry)

INQ

COM

Presenting
processed data
(Communication)
Drawing
conclusions
(Making
Connections)
Answered all
Questions
(Making
Connections)

ONTARIO MARK

INQ ___/4

Application

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.25

1.5

0.5

1.5

0.5

COM___/5

1.5

0.5

A___/4(or 6)

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2) The Data Collection Lab (Formal Lab Report) requires the following sections:
Title: Make up an informative title for what the lab is about
Date: When did you finish the formal lab? (Year, Day, Month, Time)
Abstract: The abstract is a miniature version of the whole report. Your abstract should emphasize the
objective, procedure, results and significance. Use this section to demonstrate how all the information
holds together. The Abstract should be no more than a paragraph in length. Since the abstract is a
summary of the report, you cannot write it until after you have completed the report.
Introduction: You are expected to write a few paragraphs of introduction or theory that give the
history of the physics concepts used in this lab and explain the relevant physics equations. The
introduction should be able to explain to reader the background physics required to understand and/or
reproduce your lab results.
Procedure: You did not need to copy procedures that are given to you. This takes up valuable time
and you will get no extra marks for doing so. You simply reference the lab sheet or textbook that you
used. If you change any part of the procedure or materials you must state it here, if you make changes
and dont state them then you will lose marks.
Data Collection: Raw data should be recorded in a table, complete with units and a realistic estimate
of the associated uncertainty.
Data Processing and Presentation: This will usually involve plotting a graph or completing a result
table. Error analysis must be complete. Make sure your final result is to the correct number of
significant figures and contains an uncertainty.
Conclusion: A formal conclusion must be of higher calibre than the conclusion in your journal.
Grammar, spelling and neatness will all be taken into consideration and more details/research are
required for each section.
i) Interpretation: This is the most important part of the report because it shows how well you have
understood the experiment. Answer the question, What is the relationship between my results and
theory? You need to decide if you have done what you set out to do in the Object, and to state clearly
what you have concluded from your results.
ii) Evaluation: There are potential systematic errors in every experiment. These are errors, which
determine the accuracy of your result, and cannot be reduced by repeating your measurements.
Calibration errors fall into this category, but are rarely significant unless something is seriously wrong
with the equipment (and should therefore be replaced). However, you must carefully assess the
apparatus and measurement technique, and decide if there are any factors present which could bias
your result. Random errors, on the other hand, determine the precision of the experiment. You should
discuss how they affect your result and assess whether they are a result of experimental technique or a
function of the equipment. Human error is not an acceptable reason: if you made a mistake you
should correct it.
iii) Improvements: If you were to repeat this experiment what could you have done differently to
improve your findings? What changes could/should be made to improve the procedure, results, and/or
apparatus?
Questions: Answer all questions in this section (if there are any).

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Section

Details

Date

Year, Day, Month,

Time
(Communication)
Clear and In Table
of Contents
(Communication)
What you did, and
your results. Should
be brief!!!!
(Communication)

Title

Abstract

Introduction
Procedure

Data Collection

Data Processing
Presentation

Interpretation

Evaluation

Improvements

Questions

Referenced with
Modifications
(Communication)
Application of
technical skills and
procedures (Inquiry)
Use of Equipment
(Inquiry)
Collecting and
recording raw data
(Inquiry)
Organization and
presenting raw data
(Communication)
Processing raw data
(Inquiry)
Presenting processed
data
(Communication)
Drawing conclusions
(Making
Connections)
Evaluating
procedures and
results
(Making
Connections)
Improving the
investigation
(Making
Connections)
Answered all
Questions (Making
Connections)

ONTARIO MARK

FORMAL LAB RUBRIC

INQ

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.25

0.75

0.5

0.25

INQ ___/5

COM

MC

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.25

1.5

0.5

1.5

0.5

0.5

0.25

1.5

0.5

0.25

1.5

0.5

0.5

COM___/9

1.5

0.5

1.5

0.5

0.75

0.5

0.25

0.75

0.5

0.25

A___/5 (or 6)