Chemistry Lab Write Up Procedure
I.
Title: In the form “The Effect of __________ on __________
II.
Introduction: (In paragraph form)
a. Research question: (rephrases the title) How will ____________ effect
____________________?
b. Background information for the lab. (May be from text, lab handout, other
resources)
c. Hypothesis: An educated prediction and explanation of the prediction. May be in
“If _________ then __________” form. (This is why you gather background
information on the topic)
III. Procedure:
a. Materials: In list form, may contain sketches of unfamiliar equipment
b. Safety precautions: Note any safety precautions for the chemicals being used
c. Procedure: In paragraph form. Very specific and detailed. Note any changes or
additions to the procedure that you make.
IV.
Data: Include “raw” data and “cleaned up” data (in the form of a graph or table).
V.
Analysis:
Include “class data” if applicable.
a. Summarize the data so that it is easy to interpret. (In paragraph form)
b. Identify trends and key points.
VI.
Conclusion: (In paragraph form)
a. Was your hypothesis supported by the data? Why or why not?
b. Evaluation of the experiment
i. Limitations of procedure
ii. Sources of error
iii. Improvement to make the data more reliable (provide reasons)
iv. Further research ideas and reasons why these would be good ideas to test
Rubric for Grading Lab Reports
(May change slightly due to the nature of the experiment)
Title: (1 pt)
Introduction: (11 pts)
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Research question (2 pts)
Several sentences of background information. Citations where appropriate. (2
pts)
Background accurate and relevant (3 pts)
Hypothesis (4 pts – 2 for prediction, 2 for explanation)
Procedure: (8 pts)
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Materials: In list form (1 pt)
Safety precautions: (2 pts)
Procedure: In paragraph form. In past tense, passive voice “Water was poured
…) (5 pts)
Data: (5 pts)
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Qualitative data - observations (2 pts)
Quantitative data – numerical
Must have units (1 pt)
In chart of graph form (2 pts)
Analysis: (5 pts)
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Adequately summarizes the data (2 pts)
Refers to trends and key points (3 pts)
Conclusion: (13 pts)
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Was your hypothesis supported by the data? Why or why not? (mentions
supporting data) (2 pts)
Evaluation of the experiment includes: limitations of procedure, sources of
error (2 pts),
3 improvements to make the data more reliable (2 pts for each improvement
and supporting reason)
Further research ideas (at least 2) (3 pts)
Technical Writing: (2 pts)
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Components of lab report conform to the standards of proper grammar. (1 pt)
Intro, Procedure, Analysis, and Conclusion in paragraph form (1 pt)
TOTAL: 45 pts