These consist of the completion of the laboratory experiment write-up. Although the experimental and
observational work may be done with a lab partner or partners, the lab report is an individual’s work.
Not all the answers to the questions will be found in your notes from the actual experiment. You will have to
do a little research in your text, class notes, or other reference books to complete most lab reports.
As you do each investigation you are also preparing a written report. It is very important that you collect
accurate data. You should record all your own data and observations immediately and carefully. “My
partner is absent and he/she has the data,” is not a valid excuse for not handing in your report on time.
Lab reports that are complete and handed in on the due date will start with a grade of 100%
No lab reports will be accepted FOR FULL CREDIT after a due date. The grade received on late lab reports
will be reduced 10% for each day late.
Incomplete lab reports will be returned to the student to be rewritten. Incomplete lab reports will be
considered late lab reports.
EVALUATION OF LAB REPORTS
All lab reports are due the first class meeting after completion of the actual lab, unless a different due date is
indicated by the teacher. All lab reports must be validated ONCE with the instructor’s date stamp in the
upper right hand corner.
They must be neatly written in black ink. Cutting and pasting sections from the original lab handout into
your lab report is not acceptable. Graphs when applicable must be done on graph paper. The original lab
procedure handout should be kept for future reference in your laboratory notebook.
Lab notebooks will be checked for completeness and graded. At the end of the year they will be collected and
kept in the science department office. .
Incomplete labs and labs that receive a grade of less than 65% will be returned to be rewritten.
LAB REPORT SCORING RUBRIC
WRITTEN LAB REPORT FORMAT
All lab reports must be written using the proper format. The following represents a written report with all
possible components. (Not all labs will require graphs or data tables.)
observational work may be done with a lab partner or partners, the lab report is an individual’s work.
Not all the answers to the questions will be found in your notes from the actual experiment. You will have to
do a little research in your text, class notes, or other reference books to complete most lab reports.
As you do each investigation you are also preparing a written report. It is very important that you collect
accurate data. You should record all your own data and observations immediately and carefully. “My
partner is absent and he/she has the data,” is not a valid excuse for not handing in your report on time.
Lab reports that are complete and handed in on the due date will start with a grade of 100%
No lab reports will be accepted FOR FULL CREDIT after a due date. The grade received on late lab reports
will be reduced 10% for each day late.
Incomplete lab reports will be returned to the student to be rewritten. Incomplete lab reports will be
considered late lab reports.
EVALUATION OF LAB REPORTS
All lab reports are due the first class meeting after completion of the actual lab, unless a different due date is
indicated by the teacher. All lab reports must be validated ONCE with the instructor’s date stamp in the
upper right hand corner.
They must be neatly written in black ink. Cutting and pasting sections from the original lab handout into
your lab report is not acceptable. Graphs when applicable must be done on graph paper. The original lab
procedure handout should be kept for future reference in your laboratory notebook.
Lab notebooks will be checked for completeness and graded. At the end of the year they will be collected and
kept in the science department office. .
Incomplete labs and labs that receive a grade of less than 65% will be returned to be rewritten.
LAB REPORT SCORING RUBRIC
WRITTEN LAB REPORT FORMAT
All lab reports must be written using the proper format. The following represents a written report with all
possible components. (Not all labs will require graphs or data tables.)
1. INTRODUCTION: -- (what we know, think, and are going to do)
2. PROCEDURE: -- (a recipe, others could follow without further instructions and get the same results).
3. DATA: -- (numbers, graphs, and calculations).
4.RESULTS: -- (What did you find?)
5.CONCLUSION: -- (brainwork, analysis, creativity)
•Tips: Always use the section headings in bold. Set them off by indenting, underlining, skipping lines
etc. You may create subheadings when necessary. It is not necessary to create subheadings for the
three areas of the conclusions, although this may be helpful.
- •Explains what is being studied.
•States hypothesis.
•Explains why this is our hypothesis.
•Includes background research and references
2. PROCEDURE: -- (a recipe, others could follow without further instructions and get the same results).
- •Explains how the data was collected
How often (time and spatial)
Equipment/software/hardware used
Important dates, times, locations, etc.
Sources
- o Includes sketch of the setup/data collection area
o Explains how data was plotted, graphed, mapped, drawn, sketched,
etc.
3. DATA: -- (numbers, graphs, and calculations).
- •The data is included (if the database is large, it is printed out and
attached as an appendix)
- o Tables: Must have the title for each column; the units listed in
parentheses.
- •All calculations are shown.
•All graphs are included.
- o Graphs: Must have axis labels; with units; titles where
necessary; if plotted by hand have point protectors; if printed
out have an estimated scale.
4.RESULTS: -- (What did you find?)
- •Statistical data (means, percentiles, standard deviations, COR, slopes,
etc.) are included
•Model(s) with scientific variables are included
•Patterns in data are recognized and described; key points highlighted
and discussed
•Accuracy/statistical/probability/residual analysis is discussed
5.CONCLUSION: -- (brainwork, analysis, creativity)
- •Discussion: discuss your hypothesis in light of your data (were you
correct, incorrect)
•Theory: create a model and or theoretical explanation of why the
phenomena you studied behave the way they do (think theory and be
creative)
•Where do we go from here? Describe the next possible directions for
study. Does this study need to be redesigned? If so, how? What similar
topics should be studied? What new questions does this raise?
•Tips: Always use the section headings in bold. Set them off by indenting, underlining, skipping lines
etc. You may create subheadings when necessary. It is not necessary to create subheadings for the
three areas of the conclusions, although this may be helpful.
Chemistry II Honors Lab Report
| Created by C. Ippolito February 2001 Updated August 4, 2008 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
LABORATORY NOTEBOOK
This notebook must be a composition book with lined pages. A spiral bound notebook is not
acceptable, nor is one with graph paper or blank pages.
Each laboratory activity is legibly recorded in the table of contents with its proper name and page
numbers at the top, outside corners.
Each laboratory activity should be tabbed, and each tab must be labeled.
All additional pages inserted in the notebook do not stick out past the edge of the bound sheets.
All additional pages inserted are securely glued or taped. Staples are not allowed.
All additional pages inserted are rotated so they can be read without turning the notebook.
All additional pages inserted that are too large are neatly folded so they do not stick out.
Pages are not to be torn from the notebook. They can be paper clipped together if you do not wish
them to be seen.
Each laboratory must follow every guideline above. A guideline not followed will result in a one
letter grade deduction.