Writing the Astronomy Lab Report
Lab investigations supplement our understanding of key concepts in Meteorology.
The following guidelines will facilitate success in writing a quality lab report.
1. Keep all data collected during the lab on loose leaf paper and include your data sheet in your final
report. Staple it (and any data collection sheets) to your report.
2. Error during the experiment should be written on separate paper and stapled to your report.
3. All lab reports are to be typed, one sided, 12 font, Times-new roman, single-spaced in the sections
specified below.
4. Your name, the name(s) of all members in your lab team and the date the investigation was performed in
the upper right hand corner of the first page. Your name should be placed as a header in the upper right
on each following page with the page number.
5. An appropriate title for the report should be placed at the top of the first page.
6. Each of the following sections should be used as headings (in bold) to write your report.
Purpose
This is a statement of the problem to be investigated. It provides the overall direction for
laboratory investigation. This section should be at least 3 sentences.
Materials
All essential lab materials should be bulleted.
Procedure
In steps, explain how the investigation will proceed, and how data will be collected and
analyzed. Someone who was not present during your lab should be able to understand how the
experiment was performed by reading this section.
Data &
Analysis
Data collected during the investigation must be represented. If data is collected externally, your
report should simply state: SEE ATTACHED DATA.
*Make sure all data has appropriate units of measurement.
Interpret the data collected as it pertains to the problem.
Error
Explain error in the procedure and data collection and explain how it may affect the data analysis
and results. (Human, instrumental, environmental error)
Conclusion
In the conclusion you must include the following:
- Restate the problem and explain your findings.
- Provide an example of real world application of the research.
See the Lab Report Rubric for further guidance.
Laboratory Write-up Checklist
Name: ________________________________________ Block ________ Date _________
experiment_________________________________________________________________________________
Title & format
(5 points)
Purpose
(2 points)
Materials &
Procedure
(4 points)
Data Collection
& Analysis
(4 points)
1. Types format of lab report was followed as specified in the
report guidelines. (Names, date, title, fonts, sections)
2. Data collection, lab investigation worksheet and any other
information pertinent to the investigation was included.
________
1. A statement of the problem was clearly described and an
explanation of the direction of the investigation was present. ________
1. List of essential materials was identified.
2. The methods and techniques used to acquire data was
identified. If handouts are available, they were attached to
the final report.
1. Data Collection:
a. Collected data was attached, or presented
b. All data has appropriate units of measurement
2. Analysis:
a. Collected data was thoroughly interpreted as it relates to
the problem being studied.
________
________
________
Factors affecting
confidence in the results
Error
(3 points)
Conclusion
(2 points)
1. The 3 types of error (human, instrument, environmental)
error was analyzed.
2. Examples of each were addressed. If any type of error was
not encountered, the report clearly states: NONE
OBSERVED
1. The problem was restated and a conclusion was clearly
identified with respect to data collected, and an
interpretation of the results.
2. A real world example of the problem being studied was
identified and related.
________
________
Maximum Score = 20 points
Your Score _________