Lab Format

1. Format (15 points)
1. Title Page: Title/Date/Name/Period on a separate sheet of paper
2. Each section labeled with its heading
3. Typed, double-spaced, size 12 font (considered 1 day late if not typed)
4. Avoid the use of first person: I, we, my partner, etc.

2. Abstract (15 points)- Summary of the lab: WHY?  HOW?  WHAT?
1. WHY did we do this lab?  What were the objectives or main purposes of the lab? (There may be more than one) (5 pts)
2. HOW did we perform the lab?  In several sentences, summarize procedure. (5 pts)
3. WHAT results did you get?  Mention the most important results.  Do not mention all of your data, just the most important numbers and conclusions.  (5 pts)

                                                              i.      A clue to the most important data: if it was graphed, shared with the class or it was the title of the lab (ex. Buoyancy Lab = Buoyant Force (N))

3. Introduction (10 points)- Two paragraphs
1. Researched, background information on the main topics of the lab.  Must be written in your own words. 

                                                              i.      Write the introduction as if the person reading your lab had no idea what it was about.  (ex. Buoyancy Lab = define it, explain how you determine it, why is it important or useful, etc.)

2. Do not mention any materials, procedures or results from the lab. 
3. This is strictly research from an outside source (not textbook, not notes) which must be cited in the References section.  If not, you will not receive credit for this section.

4. Experimental Section (10 points)-
1. Numbered procedure (2 pts)
2. List of materials (3 pts)
3. If the lab sheet has a detailed, step-by-step procedure and a list of materials, then you may write “see attached lab sheet” instead.  However, if changes were made to the procedure, list them here. (complete, detailed, changes 5 pts)

5. Data Section (30 points)-
1. Tables, Charts, Graphs of data- properly labeled
2. Provide formulas and sample calculations to show a reader how your numbers were found.

6. Analysis (20 points)-  Explanation of data
1. EXPLAIN how your data was found or calculated.  (5 pts)

                                                              i.      Do NOT restate your data/procedures, do not mention your results again. 

2. Compare your data to expected results (either teacher’s results or the rest of the class).  (10 pts)
3. Explain sources of error even if your data seems correct.  Explain where things could have gone wrong.  Be specific.  “I used the ruler wrong” or “I measured incorrectly” are not good explanations. (5 pts)

7. Conclusion Section (20 points)-
1. Restate all of your objectives. (2 pts) 
2. Explain if you met the objectives.  Do not simply write “Yes the objectives were met”.  Explain how they were met and why you think they were met.  (5 pts)

                                                              i.      Did you complete all components of the lab (including graphs)?

                                                            ii.      Does your data match the expected or theoretical results?

                                                          iii.      Look closely at your numbers.  Are they too big or too small?  Do they make sense? 

3. Restate the most important results and data numbers and explain whether this data supports the objective. (3 pts) 
4. Answer any questions to the lab here. (10 pts)

8. Reference Section (5 points)-  At least 2 outside sources
1. List the sources you used to write your introduction.  Be sure to use appropriate format.  See your agenda book to cite properly.  If sources are not included you do not get credit for your introduction.

Total Points: out of 125

**10 POINTS OFF EACH DAY LATE**

Important Rules About Handing in Your Paper

1. The paper is due in class.  If you try to hand it to me later in the day, it is late. 
2. Don’t wait until the last minute to write your paper.  You have at least a week before the paper is due, which is plenty of time to get yourself to a computer and printer.  Computer and printer malfunctions are not an excuse! 
1. Save your work every few minutes so you don’t lose it due to a computer problem or power outage.
2. If you are having printer problems at home, print it in the school library or computer lab.  If you are still having problems, email the lab to me as a Microsoft Word document prior to your class period so it is considered on time.  Hand in all the data and graphs in class.

                                                              i.      I do not guarantee this method because emails are not always delivered.  If I don’t get the email (or it is sent after your class period), your work is late.

                                                            ii.      You MUST STILL PRINT a copy of your lab report.  Emailing ensures that it is considered on time but only gives you a 1 day extension to get to a printer.  If the paper is not printed and handed in the very next day, it will be considered a day late.

3. If you are in school, the paper is due.  If you come to school late, leave early, or miss class for any other reason, you must find me and hand in your paper.  My office is in room 709 and I have a mailbox in room 705.  You must hand it in to me directly or to another teacher.

IMPORTANT:

All papers should be written in your own words.  Do not “cut and paste” passages from the internet.  Be sure to cite any references you use.  Every student should hand in their own work.  Lab partners work together to collect data at the lab stations but should write their own papers.  NO part of your paper should be identical to your lab partner’s or any other student’s work.  Only your data numbers will be the same as your lab partner’s.  Your introduction, abstract, answers to questions, etc. will be different.  If papers are found to be copied you will receive a ZERO.

Lab Format

Section	Points Available	Points Earned
Format	15
-          Title page: Title, Name, Date, Period (on separate page) -          Headings on each section -          Double spaced, typed, size 12 font	5   5 - 10 (if not typed)
Abstract	15
-          Objectives o       Missing some objectives -          Summary of Procedure o       Too detailed o       Not detailed enough (missing some parts) -          Important Results o       Too many results, included all data and not just most important o       Included only some of the important results o       Did not include data numbers	5   5       5
Introduction	10
-          2 paragraphs o       Too short -          Researched, background info o       Did not discuss information relevant to lab (had very little to do with lab) o       Did not discuss a major component of lab o       Copied from internet o       Sources not included in References
Experimental	10
-          List of Materials -          Numbered procedure -          Complete, Detailed o       Inaccurate, described improperly o       Forgot parts o       Described steps from a different lab	2 3 5

Data Section	30
o       Data inaccurate (or calculated incorrectly) o       Missing data o       Improper units o       Tables, Graphs properly labeled (if applicable) o       Lacking Sample Calculations
Analysis	20
-          Explain how data was found and calculated o       Just restated data (or procedure) -          Compare to expected results -          Sources of Error o       Only discussed a few errors, could have mentioned more o       Errors mentioned would not have affected results o       Did not explain errors thoroughly, why they would affect results	5       10 5
Conclusion	20
-          Restate objectives -          Explain if objective met o       Did not offer support or back up answer o       Stated objective met when clearly it was not (missing data, results not close to expected) -          Restate important results o       Did not mention data numbers o       Mentioned all data numbers and not just most important -          Answers to ?s	2 5             3       10
References	5
-          2 outside sources, properly cited o       Only 1 outside source provided o       Did not include author, date visited site, date site last updated o       Search engines do not count as sources (Google, Yahoo!)
Total Points	125