Grading Rubric for Lab Reports

The following is a general rubric for the lab reports to be turned in one week from the date the lab was completed. It is important to note this is a general rubric for lab reports and some Lab Guides will ask for more or less information accordingly. BE SURE TO READ THE LAB GUIDE COMPLETELY TO KNOW WHAT EACH LAB REPORT REQUIRES EXACTLY.

Cover Page or First Page Heading 0-5 points This section of the report should include a heading, with the name, number, and date of the lab as well as the names of all lab partners. It should also include a short heading with the class title and the semester you are taking it.

Introduction 0-15 points This should be a short (few sentences to one paragraph) introduction to the lab or particular lab experiment. It should have a concise statement of the objective of the experiment as well as any other pertinent information about the lab.

Materials List 0-5 points

This section should be a listing of all the materials needed to complete the experiment. This list will often be found in the lab guides. It is acceptable to copy things directly from the lab guide, as long as it is referenced properly. However, many experiments require you to design your own setup, so it is important to list all materials used in your setup in case it ever needs to be recreated.

Procedure 0-30 points This part of the report should lay out the procedure followed through the lab experiments, in your own words. It is acceptable to write this section in either bullet/list format or paragraph format, as long as it completely recalls all steps taken during lab.

Data Collected/Results 0-30 points This section should include all data collected in the lab as well as any results or findings of each experiment. This is where any questions asked during the lab or required results should be answered or explained. It is also important to state any reasons for your results not matching theoretical results or any inconsistencies with your data and possibly reasons for these inconsistencies. Illustrations or pictures taken during lab should be included here to help explain any setups created or results from experiments, and may be embedded directly in the text or referenced to an Appendix. Either is acceptable.

Conclusion 0-15 points This should be a discussion of what your data mean in the context of the objectives of your experiment. What can you conclude from your experiment? Discuss any recommendations or possible improvements for the lab.