Measurement and Uncertainty
This section should be a concise summary of the lab (one paragraph with 3-5 sentences).
State the purpose, the main scientific ideas/concepts you are trying to learn about or prove/observe in your own words. If it is an activity, then again, write about what you are trying to learn about.
This should be in your own words and not copied from any source.
Pre Lab Questions
See below regarding questions.
Data, & Observations & Photos
This section should briefly summarize what you did. Depending on the type of lab, you might be performing an experiment, or completing an activity. Based on that, include the below that pertains to the lab with sections labeled.
NOTE: This section is where you want to place your photos for your lab. Make sure the content is correct AND your Student Information Card is visible/legible in each photo or points will be lost.
Data: Clearly present your data. Include data tables and graphs (if any were needed). While graphs may not be needed for every lab, data tables usually are. If your data consists of numbers, make sure your column label includes the appropriate unit associated with all the numbers in that column (instead of having units within the table itself).
Observations or Activity: Write in past tense. Here you summarize any observations (visual, sound, sight, or smell) that you think are significant and could help you explain or support your results. The lab may or may not specifically direct you to make observations, however in either case you should include a few general observations from the experiment which are not directly reported in your data tables. If your lab was an activity, you can leave this out.
Do not copy the procedure from the lab manual or list the equipment and chemicals that were used.
Calculations
This section needs to show calculations for any calculations that were needed in the lab. If there are no calculations leave this section out.
You must show work for the calculations in the pre/post lab questions, or you will not get credit for your answer.
For calculations dealing with your data, you should have at minimum one example calculation.
For this section it is helpful to think of the assumptions that were made in the lab and how your data would be affected if those assumptions were not completely true.
Conclusion
This section should summarize the main findings of the lab. If the purpose was to find a certain value, or see a certain reaction, what did you find? If the lab was an activity, summarize what you learned. If you conducted an actual experiment, collecting and analyzing data, make sure to include the following in your report.
State how the results compared to expectations and why they did or did not match.
For example, how did your value compare to the accepted value? Calculating percent error is a great way to show this.
If your value was off, why was it so far off?
If the lab is qualitative (observations only), how did the results compare to logical scientific expectations? It is NOT sufficient to say “the results of this lab were what I expected”. You need to say what you expected scientifically and why. Then say why your results matched or did not. If you do not know the value or expectations, look them up and then reference them as you discuss how your results compare.
State ways to minimize error if the experiment could be repeated. This discussion needs to be in the discussed in the conclusion section. You need specific examples for this. It is NOT ok to say “The error could be improved by having better equipment.” Be specific.
State at least three sources of error in the lab.
Sources of error do NOT include errors in calculations. Do not say “human error”.
Error in classified as random or systematic, with explanations.
Find things within the lab that you could not control this time, but that might be able to control if you could repeat the experiment under different conditions or with better equipment. Do not list things like not reading the directions, not cleaning glassware, or just being careless.
