Name:
Date:
Section
Friction Lab
As a member of the DOT (Department of Transportation) your boss has asked you to test
friction on different surfaces that cars may come in contact with. Taking on this role with
you will be another team member from the DOT. You and your team will be responsible to
record data, test different surfaces, measure distances, and time. Please divide this amongst
yourselves. At the end of the lab you will present a TYPED copy of your lab report to the
Commissioner (Miss Tom) of the DOT.
Background Research/Related Data:
In order to develop an accurate and measurable problem or question you need to have
background research and prior knowledge on the topic. Here is where you will write
bullets about friction. What is friction? What are the types of friction? How is it helpful?
How is it harmful? How does friction relate to this lab? How does this lab and friction relate
to real life? You should use your textbook and online resources. In order to give credit to
those who wrote the information you are using, you should provide a bibliography or
citation. You can go to easybib.com to create citations in the proper format.
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Creating your problem:
You will need to write a problem that clearly identifies what you are going to investigate. It
must include your independent and dependent variables as well as emphasize the cause
and effect factor that is built between the two variables. It must also be measurable in
order to obtain concrete results.
Please state your problem below:
Why do you want to investigate this problem?
Name:
Date:
Section
Now you need to formulate the independent variable, or the variable you are changing.
Independent Variable:
You will have to formulate a dependent variable, or the variable that changes in response to
the independent variable… the dependent variable is measurable.
Dependent variable:
Next you will need to identify all other variables that can AFFECT the dependent variable.
Please list at least eight.
You will also need to identify variables that will be held constant (those that won’t be
changing throughout the experiment): Please list at least 4.
Developing your hypothesis:
The hypothesis you develop must predict a realistic outcome. Please don’t forget to write
this statement in an “if…then” form. The hypothesis should include the independent and
dependent variable and has to be measureable.
Please state your hypothesis below:
Name:
Date:
Section
Experimental Design:
Materials:
This must be in a list form and as specific as possible. You must include ALL MATERIALS
you will use in your experiment.
Please list the materials below:
Experimental Procedure:
This should be in a specific step-by-step form. Someone who isn’t familiar should be able to
complete your project without any problem.
Please write your experimental procedure here:
Name:
Date:
Section
Data Tables and Graphs:
Tables and graphs provide a visual image for the reviewer to interpret your results.
Therefore you should provide the correct graphs. A bar graph displays data in categories
and its intent is to show comparison, while a line graph shows continual data. These graphs
must be neat, clearly labeled (title, x and y axes) and in correct metric units.
Please place your graph below (use a ruler):
Why did you choose to construct this type of graph?
Now you must analyze trends in your data and figure out its meaning. Common questions
used to analyze data are:
1. Please describe the trends (patterns) in your data? What does this mean?
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Date:
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2. How does the trends in data relate to the variables you investigated?
Conclusion and Validity:
In the conclusion you must review your results and state whether your hypothesis was
supported or rejected. Please include evidence that supports your claims to why your
hypothesis was supported or rejected. Next you will need to review the validity of your
experiment. This means you will have to evaluate the variables held constant and how that
affected the validity of the experiment. Also you will include any variables overlooked or
mistakes that were made during the experiment. In addition, please add how you can
measure your IV and DV more accurately. How can you make the experiment more valid
the next time it is conducted?
Please write your conclusion and evaluation of your validity here:
Name:
Date:
Section
Criteria for success:
Problem/Investigation:
 Problem statement is identified and relates to the task at hand.
 Within the hypothesis there is a clear identification of the independent and constant
variables.
 Identify the constant variables.
Hypothesis:
 The hypothesis is in an “if..then” statement.
 The independent and dependent variables are clearly stated.
Experimental Design:
 Variables are in a list form including the variables held constant.
 Materials used are list form and as specific as possible.
 All lab safety measures are taken into account and listed in the procedure.
 The procedure tests the problem and hypothesis.
 Procedure is written in a way that one who is unfamiliar with the experiment is able to
follow, understand, and conduct.
 Clean up procedures are listed and followed.
 Independent variable is tested and measured accurately to test the problem/hypothesis.
 Dependent variable is tested and measured accurately to test the problem/hypothesis.
 Any measurements are conducted in the metric system.
Data/Graphs:
 The correct graph is used to display the results.
 There is a title, and the axes are labeled correctly.
 Proper labels are used on the axes
 Proper units and even spacing are used in the graph.
 Data is organized and plotted correctly.
Conclusion:
 Discussion of the results is included in the conclusion.
 The conclusion is drawn from the results and answer initial problem.
 Includes identification or result of dependent variable
 Conclusion is elaborated through inferences.
 Validity is evaluated.
 Recommendations are listed for the next time the experiment is conducted.
Neatness/Creativity:
 The lab report and written report are presented neatly and in an organized manner.
Citations:
 Citation minimum is met (3).
 Citations are in proper format as elicited by Language Arts and Science teacher.
Name:
Date:
Section
Rubric:
Problem
Hypothesis
Experimental
Design
Data/Graphs
Conclusions
Citations
20 points
Problem is clearly stated and
relates to the task at hand.
There is clear labeling of
independent and constant
variables.
Hypothesis is in an ‘if….then’
statement. The independent
and dependent variables are
mentioned.
Materials are precise and in a
list form.
Safety procedures are clearly
stated.
IV, DV, and CV are used in the
experimental procedure.
The procedure tests the
hypothesis and helps obtain
information to the task at hand.
Clean up procedures are
described well.
There is a title and axes are
clearly labeled.
The correct type of graph is
used (Bar or Line).
Even spacing and range is used
for the graph.
Data used in graph is organized
and in the correct places.
Complete discussion of results.
Conclusions can be drawn from
the results and the problem can
be answered. Identification of
dependent variable is
explained
Validity of the experiment is
evaluated, and
recommendations are listed for
the next time the experiment is
conducted.
Minimum amount of citations
are listed in correct form.
15 points
Problem is stated,
independent and dependent
variables are not clear.
7 points
Problem is stated, but the
independent and
dependent variable are
missing.
Hypothesis is in an ‘if…then’
statement but the variables
are not correctly stated in the
hypothesis.
Materials are listed but not
precise.
Safety procedures are stated
but some may be missing.
IV, DV, and CV are used in the
procedure.
Procedure tests hypothesis
but may be missing some
details in obtaining
information for the task at
hand.
Clean up procedures are listed
but not described well.
There is a missing title, but
axes are labeled.
Correct graph is used.
Spacing and range are
incorrect for the graph.
Data used in graph is
somewhat organized and may
not be in the correct area.
The discussion is missing
parts of the results.
Conclusions are drawn from
the results but the problem is
not answered. Little
explanation of dependent
variable.
Validity is discussed but never
evaluated.
Recommendations are listed
for the next time the
experiment is conducted.
Missing one citation, not in
correct form.
Hypothesis is in an
‘if…then’ statement but
the IV and DV are not
stated.
Some materials are not
listed.
Safety procedure is not
clear
IV, CV, and DV are not
used in the procedure.
Procedure does not test
hypothesis.
Clean up procedure is not
clear.
No labels on the graphs.
Correct graph is used.
Spacing and range are
incorrect.
Data is disorganized and
hard to understand
The discussion does not
incorporate the results.
Conclusion is hard to
draw from the results. No
mention of dependent
variable
Validity is not discussed
or evaluated.
Recommendations are not
provided.
No citations at all.
Name:
Date:
Section
A Guide to Writing a Good Conclusion for a Lab Report
By Mr. Spennato
If you follow the A.C.E process to write the Conclusions section of your lab report, then you can be confident
that it will be done well.
Some tips for each part of A.C.E:
1. The “A” Paragraph –
The first paragraph should include your introduction. The introduction should include a summary of
how the activity was done. Be complete in your explanation, but do not copy the list of procedures.
Look through your procedures to help you do this, and then explain them as though you were telling
someone what you did.
Answering the question – The question that always must be answered in this first paragraph is “Does
my data support my hypothesis?” When you give the answer to this question, you
DO NOT EXPLAIN your answer. You will do that in the Cite paragraph.
2. The “C” Paragraph –
This is the paragraph where you are backing up or proving the answer that you gave in the “A”
paragraph. You do this by citing evidence. The evidence that you have collected is in your data tables,
notes, and related data. The evidence can prove that the hypothesis was right or it can prove that is
was incorrect. It doesn’t matter. Just use the evidence to back up your answer to the question. You
should refer to the evidence by giving general statements about the data and then go into more
detail, citing specific numerical data. You don’t have to cite every last piece of data.
One of the hardest things to do in the cite paragraph is to find a way to start it off, so here are a
couple of sentence starters to get you going:
- When we looked at the data tables…
- My group decided that…
You will probably be able to think of more sentence starters on your own after reading the examples
I just gave.
Wrap up the paragraph by including a conclusion statement, saying something like:
- As you can see…
Or
- It is easy to see…
3.
Whatever you do, don’t say something like “I liked doing this lab, I learned a lot.”
The “E” Paragraph – The Extend paragraph is where you look beyond what you did in the lab and
into the future. There are two different things you can do in this paragraph. First of all, you should
think about what you did in the lab and talk about what things you might change if you were to
repeat this lab in the future. Were there any problems with the procedures you followed, or the way
in which you collected your data? You might talk about a new, but related lab you would like to try
because of something you noticed while doing the lab.
The second thing that you should include is examples that tie into what you discovered as you
analyzed the data. In the speed lab, your group determined the fastest runner out of the group. How
might this information be important to that person or to the group or to the class as a whole? Discuss
these points, remembering to explain how they are related to the data you collected during the lab;
don’t just make statements and leave them without explanations. You want the reader to know what
your thoughts are.
Remember that ACE is a major help to us in organizing our thoughts and get us thinking a bit more
deeply about them. This process allows us to write better, more interesting conclusions for Science
labs.