Vanden Heuvel’s Lab Report Format
Unless Ms. V specifically tells you otherwise, ALL lab reports should be typed up in the following format.
Your Name
Group Number
Period
Date
Title
(Should be descriptive, not Lab A-2)
Purpose
 This should state WHY you are doing the lab – what is the goal(s)? What are the learning objective(s)?
 This should be 1 to 2 sentences.
Safety
 Indicate if goggles are required in the lab and any special safety precautions that needed to be taken.
(Ex. Hydrochloric acid is corrosive, rinse immediately and notify Ms. V if you get it on your skin)
 What is the NFPA rating for Reactivity, Health, and Flammability of each chemical used in the lab?
Procedure
 A brief summary of the lab procedure. Be sure to include the proper names of the equipment that was
used, including the sizes. (Ex. 100mL beaker)
 This doesn’t have to be in step by step format UNLESS requested by Ms. V. It should be a few sentences
UNLESS otherwise specified.
Data
 This should be in an organized table(s). Be sure to include ALL qualitative data (observations,
descriptions, etc.) and quantitative data (numerical data, measurements, etc.). Be sure that your
quantitative data is precise!
 Your data table(s)
 This is the ONLY part of the lab that can be the same as your lab partners. Every other part of your
lab report is INDIVIDUAL and should be in your own words.
 This can be stapled on separately if needed.
 Any graphs would also go in this section if needed. Be sure your graph has all of the necessary labels.
Analysis
 Include any calculations that are present in the lab. Be sure to SHOW YOUR WORK and include
proper UNITS! Calculations can be hand written.
 Answer the questions from the lab (except percent error questions, see Conclusion section for those
questions). Answer them individually and number them as they are on your lab sheet. It is not necessary
to rewrite the question.
Conclusion
Part 1
 This should be a few sentences that summarize the results of your lab. What did you learn? (Hint: relate
it to the purpose)
Part 2
 In a few sentences, explain any errors that happened in the lab and how they could be avoided next
time. Be sure to explain REAL errors that occurred. Examples of unacceptable errors would be:
“Marty is my lab partner and messed up the lab.”
“We didn’t follow directions.”
“We didn’t measure correctly.”
“We ran out of time.”
“There were none.”
 You may be asked to calculate a percent error (see lab sheet for this). To calculate a percent error, use
the formula below. If it ends up being a negative number, just take the absolute value. Be sure to explain
your percent error! Why do you think you had this large/small of an error? (Hint: include some of the
errors in the lab to help you explain this.)
Percent Error = [Experimental value (from the lab) – Actual value (from an outside source)] / Actual value
Grading Rubric
COMPONENT
POINTS POSSIBLE
Heading/Title
Heading has all components and title is descriptive.
Heading is missing a component or title is not descriptive.
Heading is missing a component and title is not descriptive.
1
0.5
0
Safety
Goggle use and special safety precautions indicated. NFPA ratings included.
Goggle use and special safety precautions not indicated or NFPA ratings not included.
Goggle use and special safety precautions not indicated and NFPA ratings not included.
2
1
0
Purpose
Purpose clearly states the goal(s) and learning objective(s).
Purpose is missing the goal(s) or learning objective(s).
Purpose does not state the goal(s) and learning objective(s).
1
0.5
0
Procedure
Procedure is clear and descriptive in what was actually performed in the lab and includes the
proper equipment used in the lab.
Procedure is not very clear and descriptive in what was actually performed in the lab or
doesn’t include the proper equipment used in the lab.
No clear procedure or equipment used in the lab not included.
No clear procedure and equipment used in the lab not included.
3
2
1
0
Data
Clearly organized data table that includes all qualitative and quantitative data taken in the
lab. Quantitative data includes units.
Data table includes all/most qualitative and quantitative data taken in the lab but is not easy
to follow or organized. Quantitative data includes units.
Clearly organized data table that includes all/most qualitative and quantitative data taken in
the lab. Quantitative data does not include units.
Data table includes all qualitative and quantitative data taken in the lab but is not easy to
follow or organized. Quantitative data does not include units.
No data table.
3
2
2
1
0
Analysis
All lab questions are answered. All calculations are correct, show work and proper units.
1 point for each
question/calculation
Conclusion Part 1
Conclusion is clear, summarizes what was learned in the lab and relates to the purpose.
Conclusion is somewhat clear, summarizes most of what was learned and relates to the
purpose.
Conclusion is somewhat clear, summarizes most of what was learned but doesn’t relate to
the purpose.
Conclusion is not clear and doesn’t summarize what was learned but relates to the purpose.
No conclusion included.
5
4
3
2
0
Conclusion Part 2
Errors were included and had solutions. A percent error was calculated and explained.
Errors were included but didn’t have solutions. A percent error was calculated and
explained.
Errors were included and had solutions. A percent error was calculated but not explained.
Errors were not included. A percent error was calculated and explained.
Errors were included and had solutions. A percent error was not calculated or explained.
Errors were included but didn’t have solutions. A percent error was not calculated or
explained.
Errors were not included. A percent error was calculated but not explained.
No errors or percent error was included.
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
0