Lab Report Guidelines

Physical Science Ms. McClammey

What lab reports and scientific papers do:

• Persuade othersto accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations

• Detail data, procedures, and outcomesfor future researchers

• Become part of the accepted body of scientific knowledgewhen published unless later disproved

• Provide an archival recordfor reference and document a current situation for future comparison

Your lab report must have a title:

• The title should reflect the factual content with less than ten words in a straightforward manner

Problem Statement

• What were you trying to find out in this lab?– Part 1: How do we observe the relationship

between potential and kinetic energy?– Part 2:

Variables

• Part 1: • Independent Variable = starting height• Dependent Variable = bounce height

• Part 2:• Independent Variable = speed• Dependent Variable = rebound distance

Hypothesis

• Phrase what you thought was happening before the lab in and if/then…. statement)

• Be sure to mention potential and kinetic energy in your hypothesis.

• Example:– If you run in the hallway, then you will most likely trip

and fall down on the floor.– If I drop the ball from 25 centimeters in the hallway,

then it will not have very much potential energy, so it will be able to bounce 47 cm.

Materials and Procedure• These should be copied directly from your lab!• Materials: Meter tape, Masking tape, Pen/Pencil, Tennis Ball, Golf Ball • Procedure:• 1. Starting at the floor, stretch a piece of masking tape vertically

against the wall.• 2. Draw lines across the tape at 50cm, 75cm, and 100 cm (1 meter)

above the floor.• 3. Hold the tennis ball at the 50cm meter mark and drop it. Observe

carefully as• the ball bounces.• 4. Mark the height of the bounce on the tape.

– Etc.

DATA

• Organize data into tables, figures, graphs, photographs, etc. Data in a table should not be duplicated in a graph or figure

• Title all figures and tables; include a legend explaining symbols, abbreviations, or special methods

• All data tables should have a heading or title and should include all columns and rows labeled with the correct unit of measurement.

Analysis

• (GRAPH + 2-3 sentences)• Attach a computer generated graph for Part 1 and

2. If the graph is completed by hand, it must be done in pen, color pencil/marker, using graph paper or copy paper.

• Remember to include labels (including units) and a title. Write 2-3 sentences about what each graph is showing.

• DO NOT INTERPRET THE DATA HERE…..JUST STATE THE FACTS.

Conclusion 4 paragraphs\5 sentences minimum per paragraph

• Strive for logic and precision and avoid ambiguity, especially with pronouns and sequences

• Keep your writing impersonal; avoid the use of the first person (i.e. I or we)• Use the past tense and be consistent within the report

note: "data" is plural and "datum" is singular; species is singular and plural• Italicize all scientific names (genus and species)• Use the metric system of measurement and abbreviate measurements without

periods (i.e. cm kg) spell out all numbers beginning sentences or less than 10 (i.e. "two explanations of six factors").

• Write numbers as numerals when greater than ten (i.e. 156) or associated with measurements (i.e. 6 mm or 2 g)

• Have a neutral person review and critique your report before submission