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0-READ FIRST-Lab Report Assistant

The document provides instructions for writing a science lab report using a Lab Report Assistant. It explains that the Lab Report Assistant contains pre-formatted sections for each experiment, including questions and tables to be included in the report. Students can use either a PDF or Word file format. It also includes a sample rubric that instructors may use to grade lab reports, outlining the key sections of a report and criteria for evaluation. The rubric covers title page, abstract, purpose/hypothesis, procedures, data/observations, results/analysis, and conclusions.

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addislibro
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
213 views

0-READ FIRST-Lab Report Assistant

The document provides instructions for writing a science lab report using a Lab Report Assistant. It explains that the Lab Report Assistant contains pre-formatted sections for each experiment, including questions and tables to be included in the report. Students can use either a PDF or Word file format. It also includes a sample rubric that instructors may use to grade lab reports, outlining the key sections of a report and criteria for evaluation. The rubric covers title page, abstract, purpose/hypothesis, procedures, data/observations, results/analysis, and conclusions.

Uploaded by

addislibro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lab Report Assistant

Dear 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.

Science Laboratory Report Grading Framework


Developed by Dr. Peter Jeschofnig

Title Page
Total = 5 pts.

Abstract
Total =10 pts.
Purpose/
Hypothesis
Total =10 pts.

Procedures
Total =10 pts.

Data/
Observations
Total =25 pts.

Results/
Analysis
Total =20 pts.

Conclusions
Total =20 pts.

Unsatisfactory

Borderline

Satisfactory

Excellent

Missing more than two


items, title, or names.

Contains title and all


names; but two items are
missing.

Contains tile and names,


but one item is missing.

Contains title, author and


partners names, course
name, experiment number;
and report dates.

0-2 points
No abstract, or
incomplete purpose
and/or incomplete results.

3 point
Includes adequate
purpose and results, but
not both.

4 points
Contains purpose and
results, but some result
details are missing.

5 points
Contains clear purpose
statement and complete
results.

0-3 points
Incomplete purpose or
hypothesis statement.
Incomplete or missing
scientific principles or
variables.

5 points
Adequately states the
correct purpose/
hypothesis, but scientific
principles/ variables are
missing.

8 points
Adequately states correct
purpose/ hypothesis, but
either scientific principles
or variables are missing.

10 points
Clearly states the correct
purpose/ hypothesis, which
scientific principles are to
be tested and the variables
involved.

0-4 points
Unclear or missing
instructions. Most steps
are missing, incomeplete, disorganized, or not
sequential.

6 points
Vague instructions.
Some steps missing, not
well organized, or not
fully sequential.

8 points
Includes a clear set of
instructions. A few steps
are missing. Reasonably
well organized.

10 points
In clear, concise sentences
with step-by-step format.
Experiment can be
replicated. Includes
materials in methods..

0-4 points
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.

6 points
Data 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.

8 points
Data 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.

10 points
Data 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.

0-12 points
Explanation of data is
missing, inaccurate, or
not expressed in complete
sentences. Error analysis
incom-plete, missing or
wrong.

16 points
Incomplete description
of data; 3 or more
important observations
are missing. Error
analysis is incomplete or
only partially correct.

20 points
Results stated correctly in
complete sentences. No
more than 1 or 2 important
observations are missing.
Error analysis present and
correct.

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

0-8 points
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 12 sentences.

12 points
Conclusion explains the
objective, but data is not
used accurately to
support it. Only 2-3
sentences.

15 points
Adequate 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.

20 points
Well 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.

0-8 points

12 points

15 points

20 points

Score

Science Laboratory Report Grading Framework


Developed by Dr. Peter Jeschofnig

TOTAL POINTS OUT OF 100 POSSIBLE POINTS ______

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