Honors Chemistry – The Laboratory Report (2015-2016)
A laboratory report should be used to explain laboratory procedures, record all data, show how
calculations are made, discuss the results of an experiment, and to explain the theories involved. A record
of laboratory work is an important document, which will show the quality of the laboratory work that you
have done. It is essential that your lab report be honest so that others can follow the lab. If an
experiment doesn’t produce the results that you expected, a good lab report can save others many hours of
time by showing them what doesn’t work. When you explain your work, list your data, calculate values
and answer questions, be sure that the meaning will be obvious to anyone who reads your report.
All lab reports must be TYPED (except Data and Analysis sections) in the following format:
Your name
Date
(This is the date the lab was performed not the due date)
Title
(A title will describe the nature of the lab. “Lab 6” or “Fun Lab” does not reveal much)
Purpose: Three or four sentences, in your own words, explaining the reason for doing the lab. If it’s
too short, it won’t be clear why you’re doing the lab. If it’s too long, you are doing too much work
and the reader will probably just skip over it.
Materials: List the amount of each material and the equipment that will be used in the experiment so that
you will be able to set up and perform the lab.
Procedure: This is a very clear, step-by-step list (IN YOUR OWN WORDS) of the things you will do
while performing the experiment. Each numbered step should be a short phrase or sentence stating
what you are doing. You do not need to have complete sentences in this section. Do not write
detailed instructions, but do make the directions thorough enough so that an intelligent person could
follow along. Make a drawing or sketch of the setup for every lab to help clarify the procedure in
your own mind.
The sections above must be completed prior to beginning the actual experiment. You are expected to
have read the lab handouts and know enough about the experiment, the equipment used, and the
measuring techniques to be able to work efficiently in the lab. Do not waste precious lab time by reading
the instructions for the first time while you are trying to do the experiment. If you do not have your lab
report properly prepared prior to doing the actual experiment you will have 5 points subtracted from
your grade.
Data: This is where you record all of your raw data by hand, not typed. Original data must be included
in final lab report. It should consist of quantitative (numerical) data arranged in tables or charts, as
well as qualitative (descriptive) observations written out as sentences. Record all your data directly in
your lab report. Do not record data on a piece of scratch paper to be transferred later. Especially, do
not rely on your lab partner to record the data for you with the intention of getting it later. Organize
your data in a neat, orderly form. Label all data very clearly. Use correct significant digits, and
always include proper units (e.g. mL, mol, g). You may underline, use capital letters, make tables, or
use any device you choose to help organize this section well. Space things out—don’t try to cram
everything onto one page. If you make a mistake DO NOT ERASE, DO NOT USE WHITE-OUT,
just draw ONE LINE (such as this) through your error, and continue. It is expected that some errors
will occur. You cannot produce a perfect, error-free lab report and you are not expected to do so.
Remember, neatness counts.
Analysis: If you need to make a graph or chart, use the data you took in the Data section to make the
proper charts. If calculations are required, they will be done by hand and +shown here. Show how
calculations are carried out. Give the equation used and show how your values are substituted into it.
Give the calculated values. If graphs are included, make the graphs an appropriate size. Label all
axes and give each graph a title.
Conclusion/Discussion: Write in third person narrative. Leave the “I”, “we”, “you”, “us”, “them” out of
the report. The conclusion is where you summarize your understanding of the concepts covered in the
lab experiment. Use the theory you learned in class, or by reading the textbook, to explain how
something happened. Think about writing this section as if you were writing a letter to a friend that
knows nothing about chemistry and you are explaining the concepts that you learned. It should
consist of two paragraphs. The first paragraph should summarize the theory behind the experiment.
Define key terms and explain important theories. Do not refer to the current experiment in the first
paragraph. The second paragraph should contain a discussion of the results of your particular
experiment. This is where you explain the meaning of your data. Error analysis is very important in
chemistry and all of the sciences. What are some specific sources of error, and how do they influence
the data? Do they make the values obtained larger or smaller than they should be? The errors that
you list here should be errors that you can do something about, not hypothetical errors that probably
didn’t happen. If you can calculate a percent error or percent deviation, do so and include it in the
second paragraph. Instrumental error and human error exist in all experiments, and should not be
mentioned as a source of error. “My lab partner messed up” is not a source of error. Significant digits
and mistakes in calculations are NOT a valid source of error. Finally, answer all questions presented
in the lab directions. Do NOT re-write the questions, simply give the number of each question and
answer it directly. Spelling and grammar count. Before writing up your conclusion type a roughdraft and proof-read it. When you think it is complete and correct, then you can print it.
Additional points to consider:
1. Everything should be complete. If it is not complete, your grade will suffer.
2. Your lab report must be neat. If I can’t read it, I won’t grade it.
3. Get help if you need it. Labs are difficult. If you are struggling, ask for help from your lab
partner or your teacher. Copying something from your lab partner is called CHEATING, not
help. If you get help, make sure it is in the form of guidance and hints, not outright answers.
4. Turn the lab report in on time. If it is late, it will have 10% deducted for each day late. These
are class meeting days, not calendar days.
Laboratory Report Grading Rubric
Each lab report will be worth a total of 50 points.
Appearance:
 Lab date and title are on the front page of the lab report (1 point) ______
 The lab report is neat and well organized (2 points) ______
 Report has my stamp on front page indicating you were prepared (5 points) _____
Purpose:
 The reason for performing the lab is clear (2 points) ______
 The purpose is no more than four sentences long (1 point) _____
Materials:
 The materials list is complete (1 point) _____
 A sketch of the lab setup is included, if applicable (2 points) _____
Procedure:
 Step-by-step procedure is reasonable and complete (1 point) _____
 Each step is short and numbered sequentially (1 point) _____
Data:
 Quantitative data are recorded in proper form and include units on all numbers (2 points) _____
 Qualitative observations during the course of the experiment are included (2 points) _____
 All tables of data are properly labeled (1 point) _____
 All tables of data are neatly written (1 point) _____
Analysis:
 All graphs and charts are included, properly labeled and complete (3 points) _____
 All calculations are correct and complete, if applicable (5 points) _____
 You obtained accurate results (3 points) _____
Conclusion/Discussion:
 Includes a one line statement addressing whether you accomplished the purpose (1 point) _____
 Your discussion of the concepts of the experiment is well-reasoned and based on your data (5
points) _____
 An assessment of why the experiment didn’t work, if applicable (2 points) _____
 A complete error analysis, listing two sources of error and possible ways of compensating for them
(2 points) ____
 All questions are answered completely (5 points) _____
 Appropriate spelling, grammar and punctuation are used (2 points)
This is the grading rubric that I will be using to grade each of your lab reports. Refer to it often
when writing up your lab reports to ensure that your grade is as high as possible.