Formal Lab Report Guidelines

GIVEN:

Begin on a new sheet of lined paper and write in blue or black ink (graphs can be in pencil, should be done by handnot computer)
Report is neat and legible (can be typed), report must have a title, your name and block at the top of the page
Sections have clear subtitles, subtitles are underlined, sections are in order

PURPOSE:

What is the problem you are trying to solve in the lab? What are you going to do? What do you hope to find? What is your reason
for doing the lab? Include reference to your dependent and independent variable.

8-7
explain a problem or question to be
tested by a scientific investigation

6-5
describe a problem or question
to be tested by a scientific
investigation

4-3
outline a problem or
question to be tested by a
scientific investigation

2-1
state a problem or
question to be tested by a
scientific investigation

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

HYPOTHESIS:
This is an informed prediction of what you think will happen in the experiment. You need a brief description of the scientif ic theory and
reasoning that supports your guess. This is where you can discuss what you already know about the questi on. Can be written in an
Ifthenbecause statement. You need a reference for your scientific reasoning (both in text citation and works cited done in easybib)
8-7
form ulate and explain a testable
hypothesis using correct scientific
reasoning

6-5
form ulate and explain a testable
hypothesis using scientific
reasoning

4-3
form ulate a testable hypothesis
using scientific reasoning

2-1
outline a testable
hypothesis

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

VARIABLES:
You need to explain what each of the following are, and how you will manipulate each of them:

What is the independent variable (this is the one that you decide how you will manipulate it in the lab)
What is the dependent variable (this is what you ob serve during the lab, quantitative observations are preferred (units) but qualitative
observations are good too)
What are the constant variables? (these are the factors that need to be kept the same) should be presented in a table
What is your control? (Some experiments will not have a control. If possible a control is a trial where you do no treatment)

8-7
explain how to manipulate the
variables,

6-5
describe how to manipulate the
variables,

4-3
outline how to manipulate the
variables,

2-1
outline the variables

0
Not met any of the
descriptors listed

MATERIALS AND PROCEDURE:

A numbered point form list of all the steps you will take to complete the lab. You must include all safety notes.
Be sure to include how you will be manipulating (changing and controlling) your variables and how you will get reliable data (i.e.
repeat 3 times) and how that data will be analyzed (i.e. line graph will be drawn)

8-7
design a logical, com plete and safe
m ethod in which he or she selects
appropriate materials and
equipment, and explain how
sufficient, relevant data will be
collected

6-5
design a com plete and safe m ethod in
w hich he or she selects appropriate
m aterials and equipment, and describe
how sufficient, relevant data will be
collected

4-3
design a safe m ethod in
w hich he or she selects
m aterials and equipment,
and outline how relevant
data w ill be collected

2-1
design a
method, w ith
lim ited
success.

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

RESULTS:

Record you lab results in a table (draw using a ruler and in pen, include correct units in the heading of the table)
Qualitative observations should also be recorded (in table where possible or underneath table if not possible)
Diagrams are to be drawn in pencil
Sufficient data needed to be collected and original data must be signed and included

8-7
correctly collect, organize,
transform and present data
in numerical and/or visual
forms

6-5
correctly collect, organize
and present data in
numerical and/or visual
forms

4-3
correctly collect and
present data in numerical
and/or visual forms

2-1
collect and present
data in numerical
and/or visual forms

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

ANALYSIS:

Show a sample calculation if appropriate, including all steps (i.e. how to calculate an average, calculating the slope of a line graph)
Draw a graph when a graph helps you to understand the data (graph must be on graph paper, use a ruler for the axis and label them
including units, choose a title that describes the graph, data po ints are clear and draw a best-fit-line)
Final data table if appropriate,
Provide short statements on key points, anomalies, trends, etc. in the tables and graphs

8-7
accurately interpret data
and explain results using
correct scientific reasoning

6-5
accurately interpret data
and explain results using
scientific reasoning

4-3
accurately interpret data
and explain results

2-1
accurately interpret
data

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

CONCLUSION

Answer the purpose of the lab as it relates to your hypothesis and results.
If you drew a graph refer to it, discuss the slope of the line and the meaning as it relates to your question
Explain any results that do not fit the trend
Use scientific reasoning to explain what you observed (i.e. Theory you have learned in class or researched on your own, make sure to
include a reference for researched work).

8-7
evaluate the validity of a
hypothesis based on the
outcome of a scientific
investigation

6-5
discuss the validity of a
hypothesis based on the
outcome of a scientific
investigation

4-3
outline the validity of a
hypothesis based on the
outcome of a scientific
investigation

2-1
state the validity of a
hypothesis based on
the outcome of a
scientific investigation

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

EVALUATION

Reliability refers to whether you got the same answer in each of your trials. A reliable experiment is repeatable with the s ame
outcome (source of random error)
Validity refers to the success of the method at measuring what you wanted to measure. Was it a fair test? (source of systemic error)
Suggest ways to improve the procedure, what would you change if you were to do it over to get better results?
Suggest other experiments that would allow you to learn more about the experiment you just finished

8-7
evaluate the reliability and
validity of the method based
on the outcome of a
scientific investigation
explain improvements or
extensions to the method
that would benefit the
scientific investigation.

6-5
discuss the reliability and
validity of the method
based on the outcome of a
scientific investigation
describe improvements or
extensions to the m ethod
that would benefit the
scientific investigation.

4-3
outline the reliability and
validity of the method
based on the outcome of
a scientific investigation
outline improvements or
extensions to the method
that would benefit the
scientific investigation.

2-1
state the reliability and
validity of the method
based on the outcome of
a scientific investigation
state improvements or
extensions to the method.

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed