Introductory Physics
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How to write a good Lab Report

Three types of Lab Reports:

  1. Informal Lab Activity
  2. Labs with questions set by the teacher
  3. Formal Lab - in which you set the question, or address a single hypothesis set by the teacher.

Informal Lab Activities / Homework Assignments

bulletSimply follow the instructions.
bulletRecord data in properly labeled tables
bulletAnswer the questions in your own words but concisely and clearly.
The expectation is that the answers are easy to find or can be quickly deduced from the lab
Highly detailed responses are not required.
bulletMarked on a scale of 0-3
bulletDue: the next class (unless otherwise stated).
Penalty for incomplete/unsubmitted activities: Assignments will be accepted UNTIL such time as they are evaluated and returned to the students. After this time, the assignments will receive a grade of '0'.

 

Labs with questions set by teacher.

bulletFollow the instructions, but be aware that they may require some thinking or creativity on your part.
bulletRecord your process - labeled diagrams / photographs of the equipment are very helpful.
bulletRecord all data including: date, who did what, any notable or unexpected events.
bulletAnswer the questions provided in your own words, providing as much detail and explanation as you can.
bulletMarked on a scale of 0-4 or a scale based on the complexity of the report.
bulletDue: As specified on the web site.  In no case will it be more than 7 days after the activity.
Penalty for incomplete/unsubmitted reports: Depending on the nature of this assignment, incomplete assignments may be referred to the GLC or follow the same penalty as Informal Lab Activities.

 

Formal Lab Report:

bulletComplete all the required sections - numbered and in the order given.
bulletIndependent research and thinking is expected.
bulletInclude as much relevant information as you can, clearly explaining its relevance.
bulletUse proper end-notes and references for ALL information used in the report.
bulletMarked on a scale based on the complexity of the report.
bulletDue: As specified on the web site.  7 days after the last class in which the lab was done.  All Formal lab reports will be submitted through www.turnitin.com
Penalty for incomplete/unsubmitted Formal Lab Reports: You will be assigned to the Guided Learning Centre. Whatever you have completed after a maximum of 7 week days will be marked "as-is".

Required Sections of a Formal Report:

  1. Abstract
  2. Background information
  3. Hypothesis
  4. Apparatus & Procedure
  5. Data & Observations
  6. Analysis
  7. Conclusion
  8. Bibliography

See Formal Lab Report Page for more details