Rubric for reports
Grading Rubric for Formal Lab Reports (Total score of 100 points)
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Excellent
Good
Needs Improvement
Unacceptable
(16-20 points)
(12-16 points)
(7-12 points)
(0-7 points)
(8-10 points)
Background information clearly
presented with sufficient detail that
a peer will understand the basic
concepts.
(6-8 points)
Background information is clearly
presented but not with sufficient detail
that a peer will understand the basic
concepts.
(3-6 points)
Background information is not
clearly described or contains
factual errors.
(0-3 points)
No background information is
presented.
Aim
(5 points)
(4-5 points)
Clearly articulated and logically
derived
from
background
information.
(3-4 points)
Clearly articulated but not logically
derived from background information.
(2-3 points)
Not clearly articulated and not
logically
derived
from
background information.
(0-2 points)
No aim(s).
Methods
Justification
(5 points)
(4-5 points)
Clearly explains and justifies use of
methods to achieve aim(s).
(3-4 points)
Explanation for using specific methods to
achieve aim(s) presented but the
justification is not clearly presented.
(2-3 points)
Neither
explanation
nor
justification for using specific
methods to achieve aim(s).
(0-2 points)
Neither
explanation
nor
justification because no aim(s)
presented.
(8-10 points)
(6-8 points)
(4-6 points)
(0-4 points)
(4-5 points)
Sufficient detail to allow someone
who has not conducted the
experiment to understand and
repeat the experiment
(3-4 points)
Important detail missing necessary to
conduct the experiment
(2-3 points)
Not enough detail
(0-2 points)
Incomplete - merely referred
to
Content
(5 points)
(4-5 points)
Presents easy-to-follow steps which
are logical and adequately detailed
(3-4 points)
Most of the steps are understandable;
some lack detail or are confusing
(2-3 points)
Some of the steps
understandable;
most
confusing and lack detail
Results (20 points)
(16-20 points)
(12-16 points)
(8-12 points)
(0-8 points)
Format
(5 points)
(4-5 points)
Begins by describing the general
trends observed in the data.
Includes references to all tables
and/or figures. Tables and/or figures
follow prescribed format.
(3-4 points)
Describes every datum instead of
identifying overall trends. No reference
to tables and/or figures. Tables and
figures follow prescribed format.
(2-3 points)
Incomplete description of the
data. Tables and/or figures do not
follow prescribed format.
(0-2 points)
No description of data. Tables
and/or figures not present
where necessary.
Content
(15 points)
(12-15 points)
Clearly presents only data that
relate to hypotheses developed in
the introduction. States whether
aim(s) could be achieved.
(9-12 points)
Clearly presents only data that relate to
hypotheses
developed
in
the
introduction. States whether aim(s) could
be achieved. Inappropriate discussion of
the significance of the data.
(6-9 points)
Presents all data collected
whether or not it relates to the
hypothesis (es) posed in the
introduction. Does not state
whether aim(s) could be
achieved.
(0-6 points)
No summary of data trends. No
mention of aim(s).
(36-45 points)
(29-36 points)
(18-29 points)
(0-18 points)
of
(16-20 points)
Clear explanation of results and how
aim(s) was achieved.
(13-16 points)
Simple restatement of results as
achieving aim(s). No explanation of how.
(8-13 points)
Discussion of results not relevant
to achievement of aim(s).
(0-8 points)
No discussion of results nor
aim(s).
Broader implication
of results
(20 points)
(16-20 points)
Clear discussion of how results are
related to general concepts
addressed by the experiment.
(13-16 points)
Discussion of how results are related to
general concepts addressed by the
experiment is not well developed.
(8-13 points)
That the results are related to
general concepts is stated but not
explained.
(0-8 points)
No discussion of how results
are related to general
concepts.
Conclusions
(5 points)
(4-5 points)
Accurate analysis of the results,
indicating whether results support
the hypothesis; Presents a logical
explanation for findings
(3-4 points)
A statement of the results of the
experiment indicates whether results
support the hypothesis; Presents some
explanation for findings
(2-3 points)
A statement of the results is
incomplete with little reflection
on the results obtained; Presents
an illogical explanation for
findings
(0-2 points)
No conclusion was included or
shows little effort and
reflection on the experiment;
No explanation for findings
Format (5 points)
(4-5 points)
(2-4 points)
(1-2 points)
(0-1 points)
References
(5 points)
Format of references correct.
Correctly
indicated
in
text
(Introduction and discussion).
Format of references correct. Incorrectly
or incompletely indicated in text
(Introduction and discussion).
References in incorrect format
and not referred to in text.
No references.
Introduction
points)
Background
information
(10 points)
(20
Experimental
(10 points)
Materials / Reagents
(5 points)
Discussion
points)
Interpretation
results
(20 points)
(45
are
are
(0-2 points)
Not sequential, most steps are
missing or are confusing