Parts of a Lab Write-up

Format & Rules Lab reports must be done in ink and must be neat. Reports done in pencil will not be accepted It is strongly suggested that reports be typed and a copy saved to your computer. Lab reports must be titled (relate IV and DV) Your name must be on the title page Sections of the report must be done in correct order using section headings. Reports are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. Reports that are one day late will have 20% deducted. Reports later than one day will not be accepted.

Format & Rules Presentation is part of the grade Should be neat, organized, and free of spelling and grammar errors. Printer or computer problems are not acceptable excuses for late reports. Get your work done early to avoid such problems. The school library has printers. The classroom printer is not available for student use during class time. Lab reports are individual efforts, not group reports. Data will be the same for a group, but all other parts of the lab report must be unique. Like reports will split the grade.

Introduction Background Information Explain the purpose of the experiment Why are you doing this experiment? (look at the scenario given) More than the lab question Some research should be done on the topic investigated Define & explain in your own words concepts discussed in lab. State the lab problem or question to be answered by the experiment.

Introduction Variables Constants Control (When indicated) Hypothesis Identify independent & dependent variables Constants Identify at least three variables that need to be held constant Control (When indicated) An experiment set-up used for comparison Think of it as an experiment set-up with no independent variable Hypothesis Provide a hypothesis and an explanation for hypothesis (If, then, because format works here)

Experimental Design Design must meet stated objective Variables must be properly controlled Materials must be listed with correct amounts specified. Procedure must be explained so that the experiment can be replicated. Procedure must be written in complete sentences and in student’s own words

Data and Observations Describe relevant observations made during the experiment. For instance, if you are measuring temperature, noticing that the air conditioning came on or the sun shone on your experiment would be relevant observations. Put all measured data in an organized data table. Include constants (if measured), distances, temps, etc. Put only measured data the data table. Label data and use correct units. Always use metric unless told otherwise in this class. Title your data table (it should describe the data collected: relate IV & DV)

Calculated Data Provide a separate data table for any calculated data Averages or percent error would be examples Provide a sample calculation for each type of calculation used for this data table Show how you got the average and percent error Label & title this table also

Graphs Axes must be ruled…do not draw freehand Axes must be appropriately labeled with units Independent variable usually on the horizontal axis Dependent variable on the vertical axis Proper graph type must be used for results Graph size must be appropriate to analyze trends Don’t make scale too small or too large Make use of the full graph…should not have a lot of empty, unused space Include a key when appropriate Title the graph with relevant title (title should include IV & DV) Describe the graph trend under the graph.

Conclusion & Data Support Answer the question posed Support your conclusion with enough data Specifically reference data tables numbers Specifically reference graph trends Explain how the data supports what you say Restate & evaluate your hypothesis

Confidence Discuss validity of experiment Discuss reliablity Discuss what was kept constant & how the outcome could be affected if each of these were not held constant Discuss reliablity This is NOT accuracy Did you do multiple trials? Was the data throughout trials consistent?

Sources of Error & Improvements Identify two sources of error in the experiment Your sloppy lab techniques are not sources of error, including: I may not have measured correctly (you should have!) I spilled some of the solution (start over!) Sources of error are things that are out of your control and may affect results See “relevant observations” section Discuss how the sources of error may have affected the results Discuss improvements to be made (using available equipment) so errors don’t happen again