Proper preparation requires the reading of the experiment sheets and the writing of at least a rough draft of the Objective section of the eventual lab report as well as the Theory and Method of Investigation and Equipment Used sections. Proper performance of the experiment requires following the instructions in the experiment sheets and the careful recording of data. Proper reflection upon the laboratory experience requires the completion of all sections of the lab report.
Every laboratory report should provide a permanent and complete record of the experiment performed and the results obtained. It should include sufficient detail to enable a third person to duplicate the experiment as it was performed originally. It should also demonstrate the student’s understanding of the experiment. The report will be graded as to method, understanding, thoroughness, orderliness neatness and proper use of English.
All reports should be submitted in their designated location on UCC’s Canvas. All Graphs and Tables should be created using spreadsheet software ie Excel. All graphs should be scaled large enough to be legible, with the independent variable along the horizontal axis and the dependent variable along the vertical axis. The name of the variable and its units should be alongside each axis. The curves should be smooth and follow the general trend of the data points. The curve does not have to pass through all data points. Experimental data taken in the laboratory must be recorded on data sheets and uploaded into Canvas.
All information on data sheets should be clearly labeled. Some thought should be given to layout of the data sheet prior to starting the experiment. Wherever possible, data should be arranged in clear, well labeled tables.
Formal English should be used throughout the report. Contractions should be avoided and only third person pronouns should be used. Correct spelling and grammar are important and reports may be returned for rewriting if the standard of English is too low. Proper use of scientific terms is also expected.
The following structure should be followed for all reports:
I. Cover Page
II. Introduction
III. Theory
IV. Method of Investigation
V. Presentation of Data
VI. All The Calculations
VII. Analysis of Data
VIII. Answers to Questions
IX. Experiment Sheets
X. Work Cited Page
The sections should contain the following
II. Introduction
Should consist of a paragraph setting forth the technical objectives of the experiment from your own words.
III. Theory
Should include a discussion of the theory pertinent to the experiment, drawing of the experiment setup, and an outline of the experiment procedure in the student’s own words.
IV. Method of Investigation
Should list every item of equipment used, including the manufacturer’s name and model number and step by step procedure followed to obtain the data.
V. Presentation of Data
Should include a neat copy of the following:
All measured values, in tabular form.
All computed values, in tabular form.
All graphs.
All waveforms
All tables and graphs should be numbered for reference purposes
VI. Calculations
Should include all calculation made in the experiment and the report.
VII. Analysis of Data
Should include a discussion of the following points:
How valid are the data?
What came out as expected, what went wrong and why?
What are the probable sources of error if the discrepancies are excessive?
What are the probable magnitudes of the different errors?
How could the errors have been reduced?
Only deviations greater than 10% need to be explained.
VIII. Answers to Questions
Any questions on the experiment sheets should be answered here. Any reference to data in another section should be by section number and page number.
XI. Work Cited Page
All source material consulted in writing the report should be listed in this section. Material quoted directly should be indicated with quotation marks and identified with regard to source by footnote. If material is quoted without proper credit given, a grade of zero may result.
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