LAB REPORT CHECKSHEET
TITLE PAGE
Single, Dedicated Title Page
Title of the lab
Your Name
Names of Lab Partners
Date
Abstract: Briefly summarize the background, motivation, methods, results, broad conclusions
Objective of the lab (What was being measured?)
Brief statement of the methods used (How it was measured)
Very brief recount of the quantitative results (What were your results?)
I. INTRODUCTION
Significance: Why is this avenue of investigation important?
Theory & Derivation:
Qualitative discussion of the physics involved in the experiment.
Complete mathematical description of the measured phenomena
Equations are written on separate, numbered lines
Final equations are boxed
All variables are defined with units provided
II. PROCEDURE & APPARATUS
Brief description of how the experiment was conducted
Number of trials performed
List of required equipment & materials
Schematic for Apparatus:
Simple diagram indicating how the experiment was structured
All parts of the schematic are labeled
Important motions & phenomena are clearly indicated
III. RAW DATA & RESULTS
Raw Data: Table containing numerical quantities as directly recorded from the instruments
Results: Table containing the numerical values that result from applying the cited Theory
Sample calculation, with units and significant figures, using the final Theoretical model(s)
IV. QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
{X, S, Sx, CV, FE, % Error, % Difference, r, r2, χ2, Ho, Effect Size, p-values, α-levels, etc.}
Table containing the numerical results of all statistical methods applied to the Raw Data
Justification of the chosen statistical methods
Discussion of anomalies or other unexpected trends within the data
Discussion of likely sources of random and systematic uncertainty (No Human Error !)
Identify the largest source of uncertainty (Remember the “80/20 Rule” !)
Qualitative interpretation of the results of the statistical analysis
V. CONCLUSION
Qualitative interpretation of the precision, accuracy / agreement, & reliability of the Results
Did the Final Results lend support the proposed Theories or was the experiment inconclusive?
Discuss any discrepancies between the proposed Theories and the Experimental results
Discussion of ways in which this experiment could be improved
What direction could further experiments take to continue or enhance the investigation
All Tables
All Graphs & Figures
Table is named & numbered
Graph axes are labeled & include units
Column headers are formatted as
Trend lines are fully labeled
Quantity ± Uncertainty (Units)
Proper use of scale
Proper significant figures
Figure is titled & numbered
Figure is accompanied by a description
Figure is properly cited