Lab Report Evaluation

Lab Report Guidelines

1. Your lab report should be written in ink or typed on composition paper (no holes)
2. Include your name, your lab partners, name of class, the date, and sample# if applicable.
3.Your lab report needs to include all of the following: (bold words should be written as headings)
4. Your report should include proper use of language and spelling

INTRODUCTION

problem is defined

any difficulties with coming up with method are addressed
a brief overview of process describing experiment (with equations if applicable)
hypothesis is stated (may not be applicable for all labs)

MATERIALS

list all specific materials and equipment used for your procedure
be sure to include specific details. For example, say "50ml glass graduated cylinder" instead of just "graduated cylinder"

METHODS

A step by step account of what was done during experimentation is given in enough detail so that the reader could do the same exact thing.
Tell the reader in detail what you did, but you can assume that they know how to use the instruments -- For example, assume the reader knows how to use the electronic balance so you may say "Place the metal on the electronic balance and record the mass" -- you do not have to say "Plug balance in, push tare button, etc

This may be given in a narrative form or a numerical step form
Be sure to include all details of what you did (including instruments used)
Tell what measurements you made and how you made them, but do not include any data of measurements in this section
Reminders:

you make measurements, you do not "find" them.

if your unit is grams, then you did not WEIGH it. you measured the mass.

RESULTS

data and calculations are presented here - everything clearly labeled
data tables, spreadsheets, charts, or graphs are useful here
label data as being “measured” or calculated. Show formulas for calculated data.

DISCUSSION

general conclusions and applications are discussed here.
calculate your percentage error or percent yield
analysis of results: Did you get what you expected ? why or why not?
defend or refute your answer. Talk about precision and accuracy
list possible sources of error from your experiment due to method and predict how it would impact your results
state what you have discovered form doing this lab --use your data to support your answer
Further Research

list any improvements that you could make to improve accuracy of your method
list any new questions that now need answered or researched
list any different experimentation that now needs done

Lab Report Evaluation

Introduction
	2		1		0
Rationale	Task is clearly stated and defined.		Task is unclear.		No Attempt is made.
Identification of Difficulties	Accurately and thoroughly describes relevant obstacles.		Gives some obstacles, but does not describe or omits the most significant obstacles		No Attempt is made.
Methods
	4	3	2	1	0
Identification of solutions to overcome problem	Identifies realistic solutions to overcome the obstacles. Solutions will adequately compensate for difficulties.	Presents solutions to overcome most important obstacles, but not all.	Presents solutions to overcome obstacles, but not all important difficulties are addressed.	Presents solutions that fail to address critical parts of the problem.	No Attempt is made.
Procedure	Clearly states the process followed including detail on instruments used and task assignment (who did what)	Clearly states the process followed but missing some detail of instruments used or task assignment	Procedure is relatively unclear and missing detail.	Procedure is very unclear and no attempt is made to include detail.	No Attempt is made to describe procedure.
Data Results and Analysis
Completeness of Data	All data is presented in data tables and clearly labeled with correct units.	All data is present, but is unclear or not in data tables.	Most data is present, but some is missing or data may not be clearly labeled.	Much data is missing or not clearly labeled with units.	No Data is reported
Explanation of Calculations	Formulas and calculations are clearly shown in a logical sequence with at least one example shown with numbers.	All formulas and calculations are shown, but difficult to follow or no examples are given.	Missing some formulas and/or work for some of the calculations.	Much of the work and/or formulas are not shown.	No formulas or work is shown.
Accuracy of Calculations	All calculations are appropriate and performed correctly.	All calculations are appropriate but may contain a calculation error.	The calculations are not entirely appropriate.–or- Many calculation errors are present.	The calculations do not accurately describe the result or several errors are present.	No calculations are correct.
Accuracy of Results	Reported results average less than a 5% error.	Reported results average between a 5% and a 10% error.	Reported results average between a 10% and a 15% error.	Reported results average between a 15% and a 20% error.	Results avg more then a 20% error.
Significant Figures	All readings from instruments and results from calculations are taken to correct sig figs.	One mistake in significant figures is present either in reading the instrument or in calculations.	Two sig fig mistakes are present.	Regard for sig figs is apparent, but three or more mistakes are made.	No apparent regard for sig figs
Error Analysis and Discussion
Identification of sources of error	Accurately identifies all sources of error, including subtleties, and makes clear why the points identified are errors	Accurately identifies all critical sources of error and makes clear why the points identified are errors.	Fails to recognize some important sources of error or identifies some points that are not sources of error.	Recognizes only insignificant sources of error or mistakes valid points for sources of error.	No Attempt is made.
Effects of error	Gives accurate analysis of how the errors will and have impacted the results.	Gives accurate analysis of impact of errors, but missing detail.	Describes effects of errors, but omits some important points or does not predict accurately.	Does not correctly predict the impact of the errors, of describes effects that do not exist.	No Attempt is made.
Future modifications to experiment	Proposes highly thoughtful approach for correcting all sources of error.	Provides adequate methods for correcting major sources of error	Gives some modifications to correct some of the major sources of error, though might not be best or appropriate solutions.	Attmepts to, but does not accurately describe how to compensate for the sources of error.	No Attempt is made.
Formatting, Information, and Use of Language
Formatting and Reporting Information	All of the following are observed: - Sample # is included - Full names of all lab partners given - All info placed in appropriate sections - Typed or neatly written on single-sided appropriate paper.	All but one are observed: - Sample # is included - Full names of lab partners given - All info placed in appropriate sections - Typed or neatly written on single-sided appropriate paper	Only 2 are observed: - Sample # is included - Full names of lab partners given - All info placed in appropriate sections - Typed or neatly written on single-sided appropriate paper	Only 1 is observed: - Sample # is included - Full names of lab partners given - All info placed in appropriate sections - Typed or neatly written on single-sided appropriate paper	None are observed.
Use of Language	Proper use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation is observed consistently throughout report.	Several minor errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are observed	Several grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are observed.	Little regard is taken to adhere to proper rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation	No apparent regard for proper lanauge use.

Grade TOTAL ________ / 52