| PURPOSE | The purpose states the reason why an experiment is to be performed. It must contain the following information: |
| I | Identification of the general scientific principle that is to be tested. If the principle has a name (e.g. "Newton's Third
Law of Motion"), it must be given as well as an explanation. |
| II |
The specific hypothesis that is to be tested in this
experiment. |
| III |
Explanation of how this experiment relates to the
general principle. |
| IV |
List of any assumptions that must be made. |
| PROCEDURE |
The procedure and apparatus section must read very
much like a recipe in a cook book. Anyone who reads the report must be
able to repeat the experiment. A complete list of equipment must be included
with a step by step explanation of how to do the experiment. If circumstances
necessitate changes in the procedure or apparatus, the actual rather than
planned ap-paratus and procedure must be reported It is appropriate to
explain changes to the procedure in the conclusions or in a separate section. |
| DATA |
The data section must contain these three main
parts: |
| I |
Table(s) of data -- All measurements that are made
must be included in the data table(s). All values that are calculated
from the measurements must be included in the table(s). Any constants
that are important for the calculations should be included in this section. |
| II |
Graphs, Charts, Pictures -- If the analysis of the
data requires the production of graphs or charts. They must be included
here. Frequently, graphs, charts or pictures make the data easier to
analyze and understand. |
| III |
Any qualitative (not measured) observations that were
made. |
| ANALYSIS |
The analysis section should contain two parts: |
| I |
The derivation of any specific equations from the
fundamental equations. Sample calculations. |
| II |
A reasonable interpretation of the data in terms of
its validity and usefulness. Reasons for specific types of analysis should
be given here. An example would be to explain why a graph has temperature
on the vertical axis and time squared on the horizontal. The choice
of scale must be explained here. |
| CONCLUSIONS |
The conclusions must contain three specific things: |
| I |
An evaluation of the experiment in terms of the stated
purpose: Did the experiment succeed within its stated limitations? This is NOT an explicit yes or no question!
What
specific results justify your conclusions? |
| II |
New points that could be studied in order to continue
the work done in the experiment. |
| III |
Specific analysis of the causes of error in this experiment. (Only if there were errors that limited the usefulness of the data.)
Human error is not an acceptable reason for inaccuracy.
The experimenter
is expected to perform an experiment correctly within the limits of the
equipment used and the conditions that exist at the time of the experiment.
The effects of human error are supposed to be confined to the tolerances
built into the equipment by the manufacturer. |
| Minimum Requirements for Lab Reports |
|
| No lab report will be accepted for grading if any one (or more) of the above requirements is not met. |
