Physics – Lab Report Format and Scoring Rubric
Components of a typed lab report include:
1. Title Page: Include title with lab partners (authors), class, and date.
2. Theory: Background information or introduction in detail of what the
experiment is about including what you are trying to prove. You should state
your hypothesis and list materials used in this section as well.
3. Procedure: Outline the procedure so the reader can visualize what the
experiment is about. Note any changes to the procedure. Draw pictures of the
setup if necessary.
4. Data & Calculations: Use graphs and tables where appropriate. Explain the
data and calculations to the reader. Show sample calculations if necessary.
Make sure units are clearly labeled for all measurements.
5. Analysis: Answer any questions posed by the instructor or in the lab handout.
6. Conclusion: In no more than one or two paragraphs, explain the results of this
lab.
a. What was expected?
b. What concepts or relationships were you trying to verify?
c. Were the results conclusive? Promising? Off-base?
d. Did the results disprove what was expected?
e. Did the results prove or disprove your stated hypothesis?
f. Mention any sources of error.
Tips for data tables:
 Tables should have appropriate headers indicating the quantity with units in
parentheses. Only numbers appear in the body of the table.
Tips for graphs:
 Each graph should have an appropriate title.
 Select appropriate axes and choose convenient scales.
 The vertical axis is usually the dependent variable, while the horizontal axis
is usually the independent variable.
 You do not need to include zero on your scale unless it is important to
interpretation (which it very often is).
 Draw a best fit line when appropriate – do not connect the dots as a rule
 Use a legend if you have more than one set of data graphed.
Lisle High School/SCHWARTZ
Physics
Components of the Scoring Rubric include:
Experienced
5 points
Procedure was
well-planned
and wellexecuted
Competent
4 points
Procedures
were wellplanned and
carried out in
an organized
fashion
Transitional
2 points
Technique
Errors caused
some
significant
deviations in
results; some
preparation of
procedure
observed
Data &
Accurately and
Accurately and Recorded but
Some data not
Observations completely
completely
with some data recorded; little
recorded
recorded with incomplete
concrete
minor errors
information
collected
Calculations Performed
Performed
Performed
Minor errors in
and Analysis clearly and
accurately but accurately, but calculations;
accurately with work not
some minor
no units were
correct units
shown
errors in
provided
calculation
Graphs
If necessary,
Constructed
were constructed
accurately but
accurately and
axes not
clearly labeled
labeled
correctly or
title given
Recognizing Understanding
Some
Understanding Understanding
Connections was expressed
understanding was
was very
between
was given
occasionally
weak;
observations and between
weak, but only connections
related physics
observations
in a few places were not
concepts
and physics
explained well
concepts
Answers to
Written
Written
Questions
correctly and
correctly but a
accurately;
few errors in
thorough
explanation
explanation
given
x
x
Lisle High School/SCHWARTZ
Intermediate
3 points
Minor errors in
procedure
were observed;
a little bit
disorganized
x
x
Beginning
1 point
Procedure was
not followed
closely; many
procedural
mistakes seen
Very little or
no data
collected;
sloppy and
unorganized
Calculations
were
performed
incorrectly
Constructed
adequately but
axes not
labeled
correctly or
title given
Errors in logic
were made in
the report;
unclear and
disorganized
Many
questions
answered
incorrectly or
poorly written
Physics