1 writing a lab report. why????? why? to learn how to write a scientific publication writing a...
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Why?????Why????? Why? To learn how to write a scientific publication Writing a factual report is an important skill in all walks of
life Golden rule - Aim for Clarity Use good English throughout, complete sentences,
paragraphs etc. Impersonal, avoid first person - I/we Best to use passive voice – “The candle was connected
to the pie plate by dropping 4 drops of wax on the pan….” rather than “I connected the candle to the …”
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Major Parts of a Lab ReportMajor Parts of a Lab Report Title on a Cover page Purpose Hypothesis List of Materials and Equipment Procedure Observations Data Chart Calculations and Analysis Graphs Conclusion
Example Cover page:Example Cover page:
Title of Lab (given)
Your Name
Date the lab was performed
Course Name
Instructor Name
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PurposePurpose
Describe why you are performing this investigation. (Stating the Problem)
Explain how you are going to prove or disprove you theory or hypothesis.
“To be able to……”
List of Materials and EquipmentList of Materials and Equipment
Materials and equipment are two different things:
Materials: chemicals and supplies you use
Equipment: safety equipment, beakers, flasks, bunsen burners, etc.
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ProcedureProcedure
Describe step by step “what to do”Summary, either in a numbered or
bulleted list, of what was done in the activity.
Make a labeled diagram of the experiment.
There are no understood procedures!!!
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ObservationsObservations
Describe the initial visual appearance and any other information using your senses
Describe any changes during the experiment.
Use an organized chart for this.
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Data Chart / GraphData Chart / Graph
Organize your observations and measurements in a clear chart or graph
Time (s) Position (m)
0 0
1 6
2 12
3 18
4 24
Velocity
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 1 2 3 4 5
TIME (s)
DIS
PL
AC
EM
EN
T (
M)
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Calculations and AnalysisCalculations and Analysis
Record of all formulas and complete equations used to arrive at your conclusions.
Measurements are accurate and within 5% of the true answer and show proper units!
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Conclusion Conclusion At least 2 paragraphs!!!At least 2 paragraphs!!!
Summarize essential lab data. Explain how the essential data answers the
purpose. Support your analysis with data from the lab
(usually numeric). Identify possible reasons for error and how they
should be corrected. Define (teacher-directed) new vocabulary terms
and answer all questions given in the lab.
Self Evaluation:Self Evaluation:
Students are expected to honestly evaluate their own work. If the difference between the student evaluation and the teacher evaluation is more than 10 points, 5 points will be deducted from the teacher’s score when the grade is recorded.
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