Sample Report for an Experiment

How To Use This Document

A sample report is shown on the following pages, along with complete instructions on how to write it. The instructions are shown along the right side in italics. It is essential that you carefully read the instructions so that you can apply the sample report’s format to your specific laboratory findings.

Your report must include all the major, and sub-headings shown, unless they are not needed. For example, if your lab does not require any calculations, then you would not include the “Calculations” heading.

Throughout The Report

Throughout the text of your report:

• Use double, or 1.5 line spacing.

• No pasting, taping, or white-out are allowed. You may type the final draft for 10 points of extra credit, but the entire report must be typed -- even the table & graph. If so, then use your computer’s spell checker to correct spelling mistakes.

• Do not use contractions like: can’t, isn’t, doesn’t, won’t, etc.

• Use past tense everywhere except in the “Methods” section, where present tense is preferred.

• Your writing should be clear, professional, and to the point.

• Always use complete sentences, not fragments of sentences. Remember, good English is simple English.

• Never mention the school, class, students, or anyone! Thus, the following words should not appear in your report: you, we, us, them, your, I, the group, etc.

• Always include units (eg., g, mL, sec, km) with any measured or calculated number.

• Do not write your name anywhere on the report – it should be anonymous.

Starting The Report

What follows are the instructions on how to write your Report, and the text of a sample report.

The sample report is show on the left in black.

The intructions are shown along side, on the right, in blue italics.

Results

Table 1. Experimental Volumes (mL).

The results section begins with a table (or tables) that contain all data collected during the lab. The table’s title should look like this example, but with a name appropriate to the type of data it contains. Your table must include borders (lines) like the ones here.

If you collected numbered data, then graph it here. Your graph clearly shows a simple comparison or trend that helps convey some point you want to make. The graph must be full page in size. Graph axes must be labeled, or described elesewhere on the graph. The title must be numbered (e.g., “Figure 1”), and located below the graph, as shown in this example. The title’s name should describe the data or trend it describes.

Analysis

Calculations

Report Rubric			Rules: • For a 4, all sub-items must be 4. • For a 3, no sub-item may be 1.
CATEGORY	4	3		2	1
Presentation	· Calculations are very easy to follow	· Calculations are orderly & fairly easy to follow		· Calculations are not orderly	· Calculations are difficult to follow, confusing
	· The table is very clear, has gridlines, nice title & no abbreviations	· The table is clear and understandable, has some gridlines, title & a few abbreviations		· The table is unclear with few or no gridlines, poor title & several abbreviations	· The table is very unclear and difficult to read. No gridlines or title, many abbreviations
	· No whiteout, cutting/pasting, scratch-outs are used	· One whiteout, cutting/pasting, scratch-outs are used		· 2-3 whiteout, cutting/pasting, scratch-outs are used	· Many whiteout, cutting/pasting, scratch-outs are used
	· All headings are in order, and there are spaces between sections.	· Most headings are in order, but there is little space between the sections.		· Some headings are out of order, and there is no space between sections	· Many headings are out of order. Sections flow together.
Thoroughness	INTRODUCTION
	· Background info is detailed & relevant	· Background info is good		· Background info is very short	· Background info missing
	· Clear hypothesis	· Fair hypothesis		· Poor hypothesis	· Missing hypothesis
	MATERIALS & METHODS
	· All materials are listed in detail	· Most materials used in lab are listed		· Several materials are missing	· Most materials are missing.
	· Very thorough description of methods	· A good description of methods used		· Partially complete description of methods used	· Incomplete description of methods used
	RESULTS
	· Complete table of lab data & results	· Mostly complete table of lab data		· Table is missing some lab data	· Table of lab data is mostly incomplete
	· Full-page graph with title and labs	· Large graph with title or labels		· Small graph missing title or labels	· Missing graph
	· 3 or more Written Observations	· 2 Written Observations		· 1 Written Observation	· Missing all Written Observations
	ANALYSIS
	· All required calculations are present	· Most required calculations are present		· Many required calculations are missing	· Most required calculations are missing
	· 3 thoroughly explained errors	· 3 briefly described errors		· 2-3 poorly described errors	· 0-1 poorly described errors
	· Complete discussion	· Mostly complete discussion		· Incomplete discussion	· Very poor discussion
Accuracy	· Grammar and spelling flaws are very minor/absent	· Grammar and spelling flaws are few		· Grammar and spelling flaws occur throughout	· Grammar and spelling flaws are very frequent
	· Data are all logical, consistent, and correct	· Data are mostly logical, consistent, and correct		· All data are mostly illogical, inconsistent, and incorrect	· All data are all illogical, inconsistent, and incorrect
	· All calculations are correct	· Most calculations are correct		· Some calculations are correct	· No calculations are correct
	· There are no errors in Materials, Methods, Discussion, or Conclusion	· There are very few errors in Materials, Methods, Discussion, or Conclusion		· There are some errors in Materials, Methods, Discussion, or Conclusion	· There are major errors in Materials, Methods, Discussion, or Conclusion