Your lab report grade will depend on completeness, scientific accuracy and insight, organization, and writing skills. I expect lab reports to be written neatly and legibly in ink, or prepared using modern word-processing programs, and to follow the format of the handout you received in class.  You will also be graded on: Your ability to complete the lab exercise (I will be watching...); Your thoroughness in cleaning-up afterwards (I will check...); And on overall neatness, proper grammar, and correct spelling in the lab report.

The point totals for each section are for a 100 point report.   For 50 or 150 point reports points will be adjusted proportionally.

1. Title. (10 points)

The title should summarize, as specifically as possible, the subject of the lab.
 

2. Purpose. (20 points)

The Purpose should put the experiment into context and provide the reader with information necessary to understand the scientific basis of the experiment and the techniques used.
 

3. Data (25 points)

This section should include all raw data, including units, and appropriate graphs.
 

4. Discussion (30 points)

Discuss the experiment and the results obtained. This does not mean you simply report the results again, but rather interpret and discuss their significance.  Include a section containing a summary of the final data, presented in a form that is most useful for interpreting the results and sample calculations of each type used.  A short paragraph should be sufficient, along with any relevant charts and graphs labeled well.  Remember to title and provide legends for all graphs and tables. The graphs and tables should be comprehensible independently of their association with the text.  Significant results should also be stated explicitly in verbal form.  If problems were encountered during the course of the experiment, how might they be rectified in the future?  Are there any other things we could do to make this a better experiment or to more specifically address the initial question(s) posed?  Are there any better techniques available that would allow one to more accurately generate data?  Is there more than one way to explain the results?  Your results may support your initial hypothesis, but there may be more than one conclusion that could be drawn from your results.  Lastly, do not spend enormous amounts of time explaining data that cannot be explained!
 

5. Conclusion. (15 points)

Summarize your results, the main points of your discussion, and how they relate to your stated purpose of the lab.  No discussion, explanation, or speculation should appear in this section.
 

6. Reference Citations

As required in all scientific literature, statements of fact, not considered "common" knowledge, must be properly referenced.   Give complete citations of all literature cited in the report.