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 with the instructor’s date
stamp in the upper right hand corner.
They must be neatly written in black ink or typewritten. CUTTING AND PASTING SECTIONS FROM THE
ORIGINAL LAB HANDOUT INTO YOUR LAB REPORT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. The original lab procedure handout should
be kept intact for future reference in your classroom notebook.
All lab reports must be placed into the required laboratory notebook.
Graphs when applicable must be done on graph paper.
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 with the instructor’s date
stamp in the upper right hand corner.
They must be neatly written in black ink or typewritten. CUTTING AND PASTING SECTIONS FROM THE
ORIGINAL LAB HANDOUT INTO YOUR LAB REPORT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. The original lab procedure handout should
be kept intact for future reference in your classroom notebook.
All lab reports must be placed into the required laboratory notebook.
Graphs when applicable must be done on graph paper.
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.
Forensic Science Lab Report
| Created by C. Ippolito February 2001 Updated February 2011 |
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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.
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a 10% reduction of grade received for a given lab report.
All lab report writing should be completed at home, class time is NOT TO BE USED to tape reports into the notebook. Lab
reports are due at the beginning of a class meeting!!