Honors Biology Written Lab Report Rubric
Student Name:
________________________________________
Outstanding
Report Section
Title
2 points
Adequately and concisely describes
lab report. No catchy titles.
Abstract
4 points
Paragraph properly summarizes
each section of report with one
sentence. All sections are
adequately summarized noting the
major points of each section. Does
not include excessive details.
17-18 points
Introduction
Scientific
Concept (6 pts)
Purpose/
Objective (5 pts)
Report illustrates an accurate and
thorough understanding of scientific
concepts underlying the lab.
The purpose of the lab or the
question to be answered during the
lab is clearly identified and stated.
Controls &
Variables
All variables and experimental
controls are clearly described with all
relevant details.
Above
Average
Satisfactory
1 points
1 points
Adequately describes lab report. No Vaguely describes report or
catchy titles.
describes report in a lengthy
manner.
3 points
Paragraph summarizes each
section of report with one sentence.
Most sections are adequately
summarized. Does not include
excessive details.
2 points
Paragraph summarizes most
sections of report with one
sentence. Most sections are
adequately summarized. Does
not include excessive details.
Unsatisfactory Unacceptable
0-1 points
Minimal report title provided.
1 points
Paragraph summarizes a few
sections of report with more than
one sentence. Excessive details
may be present.
0 points
No title provided or title
provided does not pertain to
the lab.
0 points
Not enough is written to be
considered a paragraph.
Most report sections are not
summarized.
15-16 points
13-14 points
1-12 points
0 points
Report illustrates an accurate
understanding of most scientific
concepts underlying the lab.
The purpose of the lab or the
question to be answered during the
lab is identified, but is stated in a
somewhat unclear manner.
All variables and experimental
control are clearly described with
most relevant details.
Report illustrates a limited
understanding of scientific
concepts underlying the lab.
The purpose of the lab or the
question to be answered during
the lab is partially identified, and is
stated in an unclear manner.
Most variables and experimental
control are described with some
relevant details.
Report illustrates inaccurate
understanding of scientific
concepts underlying the lab.
The purpose of the lab or the
question to be answered during
the lab is erroneous or irrelevant.
Does not illustrate scientific
concepts.
Variables are not described OR
inaccurately identified.
Variables are not mentioned.
Hypothesis predicts the outcome of
the experiment.
Hypothesis predicts the outcome
of the experiment in an unclear
manner.
The reasoning for the hypothesis
is based on general knowledge
and observations.
Hypothesis is testable.
Hypothesis does not specifically
predict the outcome of the
experiment.
The reasoning for the hypothesis
appears to be based on flawed
logic.
Hypothesis is not testable.
Hypothesis is not provided.
The purpose or question of
the experiment is not
mentioned.
(2 pts)
Experimental
Hypothesis (5 pts)
Methods
Paragraph
Detail
Results
Description
(5 pts)
Hypothesis clearly and specifically
predicts the outcome of the
experiment.
The reasoning for the hypothesis is
logical and based on scientific
concepts.
Hypothesis is testable.
5 points
The reasoning for the hypothesis is
logical and based on general
knowledge and observations.
Hypothesis is testable.
4 points
Entire methods are written in
paragraph form, past tense, and in
the passive voice.
The methods are written in
paragraph form, past tense, and in
the passive voice with only a few
points of inconsistency.
Includes appropriate amount of detail Includes enough detail to be
to be easily repeated by others.
repeated by others. Complex
Complex techniques are
techniques are not accompanied by
accompanied by drawings or
visual aids.
diagrams to illustrate the procedure.
12-13 points
Results of the experiment are well
summarized without explaining the
data.
10-11 points
Results of the experiment are
summarized without an explanation
for some or all of the data.
Reasoning for hypothesis is
not provided.
Hypothesis is not provided.
3 points
1-2 points
The methods are written in
paragraph form, but not
consistently in the past tense, and
in the passive voice.
A few steps are not clear or do not
provide enough detail to be easily
repeated.
Methods are written in paragraph
form, but not using past tense,
and/or not in the passive voice.
Nearly all steps of the
procedure are not provided.
Many steps are not clear and do
not provide enough detail to be
easily repeated.
Nearly all steps of the
procedure are not provided.
8-9 points
1-7 points
Results of the experiment are
Results of the experiment are
summarized but an explanation for summarized but an explanation
much of the data is provided.
of the data is provided.
0 points
0 points
Description of the results is
minimal or not included.
All trends in the data are identified.
Data Visuals
(8 pts)
References to visuals are included in
sentence form.
Data that is displayed is accurate
and the representation of the data is
in a well organized table and/or
graphs. Tables or graphs are easily
understood.
Graphs and tables are descriptively
labeled and titled. Units are
appropriate and identified.
Most trends in the data are
identified.
References to visuals are included
but not in appropriate form.
The representation of the data is in
an appropriately organized table
and/or graphs.
Some trends in the data are not
identified
References to visuals are
included.
The representation of the data is
organized appropriately in a table
and/or graphs.
Trends in the data are not
identified.
References to visuals are not
included.
Data is not organized
appropriately in a table and/or
graphs.
Description of the results is
minimal or not included.
Description of the results is
minimal or not included.
Experimental data is not
displayed in a visual format
or incomplete.
Graphs and tables are labeled or
titled. Units are identified.
Graphs and tables are
inadequately labeled and titled.
Units are incomplete or missing.
Graphs and tables are not
labeled and titled. Units are
missing
Experimental data is not
displayed in a visual format
or incomplete.
17-18 points
15-16 points
13-14 points
Begins with a highly effective
statement of acceptance or rejection
of experimental hypothesis.
Provides and references specific
evidence from the experiment that
supports the statement.
Appropriately refers to visuals in the
results in sentence form.
Begins with an effective statement
of acceptance or rejection of
experimental hypothesis.
Provides specific evidence from the
experiment that supports the
statement.
Refers to visuals in the results.
Has an effective statement of
acceptance or rejection of
experimental hypothesis.
Provides little or irrelevant
evidence from the experiment that
supports the statement.
Minimally refers to visuals in the
results.
Explanation of
Results (10 pts)
The relationship between the
variables is thoroughly discussed
and all trends/patterns in the data is
logically explained.
Makes clear connections between
the results of the experiment and the
scientific concept being studied.
The relationship between the
variables is discussed and
trends/patterns in the data is
logically explained.
Makes connections between the
results of the experiment and the
scientific concept being studied.
Experimental
Errors (4 pts)
Experimental errors and their
possible effects are thoroughly
discussed.
Discrepancies in results, if any, that
exist between lab groups are
identified and a possible explanation
is logical and relevant.
Effective ways to reduce errors are
clearly described.
Experimental errors and their
possible effects are discussed.
The relationship between the
variables is discussed but minimal
explanation of trends/patterns in
the data is made.
Minimal connections between the
results of the experiment and the
scientific concept being studied is
made but not fully explained.
Experimental errors are
discussed.
Does not provide a statement
regarding the experimental
hypothesis.
Provides little or no evidence
Does not provide a statement
from the experiment that that
regarding the experimental
pertains to the hypothesis.
hypothesis.
Does not refer to visuals in the
Does not provide a statement
results.
regarding the experimental
hypothesis.
The relationship between the
There is no discussion or
variables is discussed but no
explanation of the variables
explanation of the trends/patterns of the experiment.
in the data is made.
Brief or lacking connection is
No connection is made
made between the results of the
between the results of the
experiment and the scientific
experiment and the scientific
concept being studied.
concept being studied.
Experimental errors are
Experimental errors are not
mentioned.
mentioned.
Discrepancies in results, if any, that
exist between lab groups are
identified and a possible
explanation is included.
Effective ways to reduce errors are
described.
Discrepancies in results, if any,
that exist between lab groups are
identified but explanation is
minimal.
Effective ways to reduce errors
are mentioned.
Discrepancies in results, if any,
that exist between lab groups are
identified but explanation is not
provided.
Ways to reduce errors are
ineffective.
Discussion
Statement of
Hypothesis (4 pts)
Conclusion
Concept
Learned (4 pts)
Extension of
Scientific
Knowledge (3 pts)
7 points
6 points
4-5 points
1-12 points
0 points
Has a general statement
regarding the hypothesis.
1-3 points
Discrepancies in results, if
any, that are not identified.
Experimental errors are not
mentioned.
0 points
Thoroughly describes, in detail, what
was learned from the experiment.
Describes what was learned from
the experiment.
Briefly describes what was learned Mentions what was learned from
from the experiment.
the experiment.
Clearly relates what was learned to
the scientific concept being studied
using specific information from the
current experiment.
Proposes further experimentation
that is relevant and based on the
results of the current experiment.
Relates what was learned to the
scientific concept being studied
using information from the current
experiment.
Proposes further experimentation
based on the results of current
experiment.
Relates what was learned to the
scientific concept being studied.
Briefly relates what was learned
to the scientific concept being
studied.
Description of what was
learned from the experiment
is incomplete or not included.
Does not relate it to the
scientific concept being
studied.
Proposes further experimentation
based on the results of current
experiment or other experiments.
Mentions further
experimentation.
Does not mention further
experimentation.
Discusses the value of current
experimentation and results.
Includes specific and referenced
information from other scientific
studies.
Presentation
Overall (4 pts)
8 points
Discusses the value of current
experimentation and results.
Mentions information from other
scientific studies.
7 points
Discusses the value of current
experimentation and results.
6 points
Mentions the value of the current
experimentation and results.
1-5 points
Does not discuss value of
current experiment.
0 points
No errors in spelling, punctuation
and grammar in the report.
Few errors in spelling, punctuation
and grammar in the report.
Some errors in spelling,
punctuation and grammar in the
report.
Many errors in spelling,
punctuation and grammar are in
the report.
Report not submitted.
Report sections are organized in the
correct order.
Lab report is typed.
Report sections are organized in
the correct order.
Lab report is typed.
Report sections are organized in
the correct order.
Lab report is typed.
Sections of the report are
organized incorrectly.
Lab report is not typed.
Report not submitted.
Citations (2 pts)
All outside sources are cited using
Hornet Style.
Outside sources are cited using
Hornet Style.
Out sources are cited using
Hornet Style.
Citations of outside sources
are not provided.
Punctuality (2 pts)
Lab report is submitted on the
assigned due date.
Lab report is submitted one day
late.
Lab report is submitted two days
late.
Outside sources are cited but
format does not follow the Hornet
Style.
Lab report is submitted three
days late.
Report not submitted.
Lab report is submitted more
than 3 days late.