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CATEGORY

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Appearance/Organization

Lab report uses graphics/Wordart. It is typed and headings and subheadings visually organize the material.

Lab report is neatly typed and uses headings and subheadings to visually organize the material.

Lab report is typed, but formatting does not help visually organize the material.

Lab report is handwritten and looks sloppy with cross-outs, multiple erasures and/or tears and creases.

Question

The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is clearly identified and stated.

The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is identified in a somewhat unclear manner.

A partially identified purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is stated. It may be in an unclear manner.

The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is erroneous or irrelevant.

Background Information

Discussion/outside sources, as well as text and lab page, are translated into student's own words.

Chapter text, as well as information from lab page, is translated into student's own words.

Lab page information is translated into student's own words.

Material from lab page is directly copied rather than put into students own words and/or background sources are cited incorrectly.

Hypothesis

The clear hypothesis is based on what has been studied. The relationship between the variables and the predicted results is reasonable.

General knowledge or observations are the basis for the hypothesis. The relationship between the variables and the predicted results is reasonable but may be unclear.

Hypothesis appears to be based on flawed logic, or the "if/then" is ommitted, although the relationship between the variables and the predicted results is stated.

No hypothesis has been stated. The heading is there but left empty.

Materials

All materials and setup used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described.

Almost all materials and the setup used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described.

Most of the materials and the setup used in the experiment are accurately described.

Many materials are described inaccurately OR are not described at all.

Variables

All 4 variables are correct and clearly described with all relevant details.

Most of the 4 variables are correct and all are clearly described with most relevant details.

Most of the 4 variables are described in detail, but may be wrong.

Headings present but variables are not described OR the majority lack sufficient detail.

Procedures

Procedures are listed in clear steps. Each step is numbered and is a complete sentence.

All steps are listed in a logical order, but steps are not numbered and/or are not in complete sentences.

Procedures are listed but one minor step may be missing. Steps may be difficult to follow.

Procedures do not accurately list the major steps of the experiment.

Replicability

Procedures are clearly replicable. Steps are outlined sequentially and are adequately detailed.

Procedures appear to be replicable. Steps are outlined and are adequately detailed.

All steps are outlined, but there is not enough detail to replicate procedures.

Several steps are not outlined AND there is not enough detail to replicate procedures.

Drawings/Diagrams of Procedures

Clear, accurate, colored diagrams are included and make the experiment easier to understand. Diagrams are labeled neatly and accurately.

Colored diagrams are included and are labeled.

Diagrams are included and are labeled.

Needed diagrams are missing OR are missing important labels.

Data

Professional looking and accurate representation of the data is displayed in the labeled and titled tables and/or graphs.

Computer generated graphs and tables are used to display the data.

Accurate representation of the data in written form, but no graphs or tables are presented.

Data are not shown OR are inaccurate.

Analysis

Predictions are made about what might happen if part of the lab were changed or how the experimental design could be changed. The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns/text logically analyzed.

The variables relationship to each other are discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed.and text questions answered completely and in detail.

Some relationship between the variables is discussed but no patterns, trends or predictions are made based on the data. Text questions are answered.

Analysis is incomplete. The relationship between the variables is not discussed. The text questions may not have been answered.

Conclusion

Possible sources of error are included in the conclusion, as well as whether the findings supported the hypothesis, , and what was learned from the experiment.

Conclusion includes whether the findings supported the hypothesis and what was learned from the experiment.

Conclusion includes what was learned from the experiment.

Little or no conclusion was included in the report OR shows little effort and reflection.

Recommendations

Recommendations describe some future applications to real life situations, as well as the skills learned, how to do better, and the information learned.

Both recommendations are described: how to do better and also a possible application to a real life situation.

Only one recommendation is described: how they would do lab better, OR an application.

No Recommendations are written, but headings are present.

Scientific Concepts

A thorough and accurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab is illustrated.

An accurate understanding of most scientific concepts underlying the lab is illustrated.

A limited understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab is illustrated.

An inaccurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab is illustrated.

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

One or no errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

Two or three errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

Four errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

More than 4 errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in the report.

Participation

Used time well in lab and focused attention on the experiment. Was a leader of the group or cooperated fully.

Used time pretty well. Stayed focused on the experiment most of the time. Assisted group.

Did the lab but did not appear very interested. Focus was lost on several occasions or student wandered from group.

Participation was minimal OR student was hostile about participating. Student may have not prepared lab in order to participate.

Lab book/Notebook

Dated, clear, accurate notes are taken often and regularly.

Dated, clear, accurate notes are taken occassionally.

Notes are taken occassionally, but accuracy of notes might be questionable.

Notes rarely taken or of little use.

Safety & Class Procedures

Lab is carried out with full attention to relevant safety & class procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual.

Lab is generally carried out with attention to relevant safety & class procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual, but one class or safety procedure needed to be reviewed.

Lab is carried out with some attention to relevant safety procedures. The set-up, experiment, and tear-down posed no safety threat to any individual, but several class or safety procedures needed to be reviewed.

Safety or class procedures were ignored and/or some aspect of the experiment posed a threat to the safety of the student or others.

Set up

Without reminders, set up was done in a timely, competent manner.

With a few reminders, set up was done in a timely, competent manner.

With some confusion and reminders (or assitance), set up was done.

Set up was done with much confusion and lots of assistance. Uncertain what materials needed or procedures to follow.

Clean up

Without reminders, clean up was done in a timely, competent manner .

With a few reminders, clean up was done in a timely, competent manner .

Many reminders were needed to have clean up done.

Clean up was not done completely even with reminders.