Instructions For Writing Lab Reports

Section	Outstanding 4	Good 3	Needs Work 2	Poor 1	Weight
Abstract	Succinctly includes all required info.	Contains most rqrd. info, but unclear or too lengthy.	Good summary, but insufficient context or numeracy.	Little or no summary	12%
Introduction	Complete description of critical aspects with diagram (if appropriate) with well-defined variables.	Mostly complete description and diagram.	Diagram or description lacking.	Scanty description.	8%
Theory	All variables clearly defined; discussion connects all measured values to desired result through mathematical derivations.	Most variables and derivations clear.	Basic idea clear, but mathematics unclear.	Some parts of derivation present, but unclear.	20%
Data, Graphs, Calculations details	Sample calculation clear; complete data table(s) and graph(s) and uncertainty analysis.	One piece of above missing.	Two pieces of #4 missing.	More than two pieces of #4 missing.	32%
Conclusions	Significant discussion of data and graphs; analysis beyond mere observation. Assumptions made explicit and appropriately called into question.	Adequate discussion of data; some analysis.	Mostly description of data; little analysis.	Incomplete description of data; no analysis.	24%
Discussion	Imaginative extrapolation of experiment proposed.	Some extension of experiment.	Insignificant extension proposed.	Discussion, but no extension.	4%

For example, suppose you earn 3 on the abstract, 4 on the intro, 3 on theory, 3 on calc, 4 on concl, and 4 on discussion, then:

Section	earned / possible	% per pt	earned %
Abstract	3 / 4 pts	3%	9%
Introduction	4 / 4 pts	2%	8%
Theory	3 / 4 pts	5%	15%
Calculations	3 / 4 pts	8%	24%
Conclusions	4 / 4 pts	6%	24%
Discussion	4 pts	1%	4%
Overall Score			84%

Detailed descriptions of report sub-parts

Abstract - 12%

Write after writing summary. Abstract is 4-12 sentences summarizing the complete experiment. It should include:

Theory - 20%

Why did you do what you did?
Demonstrate, using relevant theory, i.e., equations with variables, how measuring some variable "a" will allow you to infer and compute "b" and ultimately get to what you found (need to know objective).
implies handwritten equations interconnected with English sentences and
- diagrams (vector diagrams and free body diagrams)
- number each equation so that you can refer to it in your discusion
At the end of this section, it should be OBVIOUS what data is needed to show your hypothesis and how you will compute the quantities to be interpreted from that data.

Calculation section - 32%

Conclusions - 24%

Discuss the main findings of your data, i.e, make assumptions explicit. Question assumptions.

Highlight the results.

Discussion - 4%

Appendices - incl as part of Calculations grade