Lab 7 state functions
Cite in ACS (American Chemical Society)
Abstract: Summarizes the report. This section should not be longer than 250 words. Include a short statement of the background information or main topic of the lab report. Clearly state the purpose of the study. Report the main result verbally and numerically and state whether the experiment gave the expected results and if not, why. I brief mention of the major points of your discussion should also be included. * Write this section last! It is a summary which cannot be done until all of the work of the experiment and writing of other sections is finished.*
Introduction: Gives background information for understanding the rest of the report. About one page. Keep in mind your audience and organize your thoughts in a logical fashion. Include a broad description of the general topic of the report that includes definitions and any pertinent equations with citations. Progressively narrow your explanations to a more specific discussion of the studied topic including again any definitions or equations. The last paragraph should be a brief description of the current experiment as it pertains to the theory described. Any balanced chemical equations or mathematical equations need to be centered on a new line and numbered on the right hand side. Any figures (charts or diagrams of equipment) must be numbered with a caption. All definitions, equations, or information that was found from another source such as the textbook, laboratory document from Angel, or internet sites MUST be referenced with a number. Do not include procedure information.
Procedure: Reference the laboratory handout on Angel. Write in paragraph form, in past tense, 3rd person neutral. Include actual values used in the experiment (masses of reagents, volumes of solutions, etc.) and any changes from the lab manual. Do not repeat the handout. Write in your words and be specific in your description. Do not include any calculations, observations, results, or data analysis information.
Data: Use charts, graphs, and tables to organize your data in clearly labeled sections. Number and title every table. Have a caption for every chart or graph. An example of the calculations or formulas should be provided. Any outside information must be referenced properly. Do not include any interpretation or opinions.
Results & Discussion: This is the most important section of the report and should be at least one page long. State the main result of the lab with error and compare it to expected values. Include % error or % yield if appropriate and use those results to discuss the purity of the products. Discuss any differences between the expected result and your result and identify sources of error (human error and equipment error are not acceptable sources; be specific). Interpret the results by explaining what happened during the experiment on the molecular level. Do not recite the procedure again! Reference the theory in the introduction to help explain what happened and why. Did you expect a reaction to produce a gas? Did you observe bubbles or other evidence of a gas? What gas would be produced and why?
Conclusion: Summarize the main ideas of the discussion and restate the result of the experiment. Identify a broader application of the topic with a literature citation. Did your experiment add anything new, or justify a known principle or law? How does this experiment relate to the larger world of scienc
Parts of a Lab Report
Criteria Achievement Level
Requirements
(100%)
Adequate
(80%)
Below requirements
(60%)
Present but does not
meet
(40%)
Not present
(0%)
Title Page and
Header
(5% Weighting)
5 percent
Title, Name, Group
Member, Course Title
and Code, Instructor,
Submission Date
4 percent
Missing 1 or 2 items
from requirements
3 percent
Missing 3 or 4 items
from requirements
2 percent
Missing 5 or more
requirements
0 percent
Not present
Abstract
(5% Weighting)
5 percent
<250 words
Summary of the report
that includes
background, purpose,
quantitative results,
errors, and whether the
experiment gave
expected results and if
not, why.
4 percent
Missing one
component of the
requirements.
3 percent
Missing two
components of the
requirements.
2 percent
Does not adequately
summarize report by
using the listed
requirements.
0 percent
Not present
Introduction
(20% Weighting)
20 percent
Big 3: Describes big
picture, then small
picture, then
experimental purpose.
Includes all
mathematical equations,
chemical reactions, and
content needed to
understand the
procedure and results.
Correct literature
citations (see LibGuide)
relevant to any
information that must
be referenced. Chemical
and mathematical
equations centered and
numbered. Figures
include caption.
16 percent
Small errors such as
formatting or
ommission of one of the
Big 3 but still enough
information for lab
analysis.
12 percent
Missing citations for
referenced information
OR missing essential
information (equations,
reactions, or concepts)
needed to understand
the lab.
8 percent
Does not include two of
the Big 3. Essential
information is missing.
0 percent
Not present
Procedure
(15% Weighting)
15 percent
Past tense writing in
passive voice.
Reference of lab
protocol. Paragraph
form in the student's
own words. Mentions
specific factors from
that experiment that
could influence results.
Includes details of
chemicals, instruments,
and software. Does not
contain any results or
discussion.
12 percent
Incorrect tense or lack
of passive voice. Lab
handout is not
referenced. Procedure is
clear and concise.
9 percent
Procedure copied from
lab protocol or has
procedural errors.
6 percent
Procedure could not be
followed to perform the
lab.
0 percent
Not present
Data
(20% Weighting)
20 percent
Data displayed in easy
to understand well
labeled tables, graphs,
and charts as
appropriate. Figures are
numbered with legend.
Sample calculations are
concise with equations
numbered and centered.
16 percent
Formatting omissions
or inclusion of
procedure information
or theory.
12 percent
All data is present. Step
by step calculations fill
pages or data is not
correctly analyzed.
8 percent
Data and calculations
are incomplete.
0 percent
Not present
25 percent
Compares results
obtained (important
findings, not all the
data) with expected
results and discusses
20 percent
Includes "final answer"
with error analysis.
Errors in explanation in
terms of molecular level
behavior or inclusion of
15 percent
Final answer is unclear
due to data being listed.
Error analysis is general
and does not identify
possible sources.
10 percent
Does not include
explanation in terms of
molecular level
behavior or is incorrect.
0 percent
Not present
Results &
Discussion
(25% Weighting)
differences. Sources of
error are identified with
% yield or % error as
appropriate. Results are
explained in terms of
molecular level
behavior. Refers back
to theory in the
introduction.
procedure information. Possible small errors in
explanation on the
molecular level.
Conclusion
(5% Weighting)
5 percent
Evaluates the success
of the experiment with
restatement of main
result. Identify broader
applications of the
topic with appropriate
literature citations (see
LibGuide).
4 percent
Error in final conclusion
but contains
requirements.
3 percent
Missing citations or
main result.
2 percent
May restate information
from the lab but
statement does not
meet requirements.
0 percent
Not present
References
(5% Weighting)
5 percent
Citations present in the
order presented in the
paper, in ACS format,
from reliable academic
sources (see LibGuide).
4 percent
Citations include
unreliable or
nonacademic sources
or are listed out of
order.
3 percent
Citations not in ACS
format.
2 percent
Information in the lab is
included without proper
citation. Some citations
are present.
0 percent
Not present