LAB REPORT FORMAT

The maximum score any given report will receive is 10. Below I detail the sections that you MUST turn in to me as part of your report. Note that I have assigned points to each section.

** NOTE: All reports are due the week after you have performed the experiment, with no exceptions. Late reports shall receive a grade of ZERO.
  1. Presentation (0.5 points): I expect professional reports. Your report should be legible & neat in presentation. Avoid scratches, instead you may want to use wide out or simple cross a line over the word(s).
  2. Names: Your name, your partner’s name.
  3. Title: Name and/or number of the experiment.
  4. Purpose (0.5 points): This is part of your prelab. In a sentence or two describe the purpose of the experiment.
  5. Theory (0.5 points): This is the second part of the prelab. No less than a paragraph. In this section you should explain the theory entailed in the experiment.
  6. Sample Calculations (1 point): You MUST show at least one calculation of each calculation you perform in the experiment. If enough space is provided you may do the calculations on your data sheet, otherwise you should use a separate piece of paper.
  7. Data Sheet (1.5 points): I must initial your data sheet before you leave the room! If your data sheet is not initialed you shall receive a grade of ZERO for that particular report.
  8. Graphs (included in data sheet): Some experiments will require that you do graphs. A proper graph should have the following items: a) a title that relates to the graph, b) labeled axis, c) units along the axis, and d) scale used.
  9. Questions (3 points or 1 point/question): Answer the assigned questions in full sentences & be concise.
  10. Conclusion (3 points): The conclusion should have two sections.
    1. Summary – briefly describe the science entailed in the experiment. What did you learn in performing the experiment?
    2. Error Analysis - discuss your results as well as your errors, i.e. list and explain the possible sources of errors that contributed to your measurements.

This is a very important section of your lab report. Make sure you dedicate it sufficient time.

** NOTE: Before you turn in your report remember to check your work for proper units.

Last updated September 11, 2000

By Cynthia Gómez Martín.