Lab Report Format and Grade Sheet

Structure of the Report

No Content

1 Title separate sheet

2 Abstract separate sheet

3 Table of Contents separate sheet

4 List of Tables separate sheet

5 List of Figures separate sheet

6 Introduction

7 Theory

8 Experimental Procedures

9 Results*

10 Discussion*

11 Conclusions*

12 References separate sheet

13 Appendices and Raw Data separate sheet

(Report must be submitted in-group. Section contents with ‘*’ sign must be done individually)
 Grade Sheet for Laboratory Reports
No Heading Points
Title Part of Overall Impression
1 Abstract 5 Points
Table of Contents Part of Overall Impression
List of Tables Part of Overall Impression
List of Figures Part of Overall Impression
2 Introduction 5 Points
3 Theory 5 Points
4 Experimental Procedure 5 Points
5 Results 5 Points
6 Discussion 5 Points
7 Conclusions 5 Points
References Part of Overall Impression
Appendices and Raw Data Part of Overall Impression
8 Overall Impression of Report 5 Points
Presentation and clarity of Figures and Tables Part of Overall Impression
9 Team Work 10 Points
Total Points 50 Points

ASSESSMENT POOR
CRITERIA (1)
i. Abstract
 Unable to write abstract concisely,
informative and quantitative.
 Unable to describe background and
ii. Introduction
objective of each experiment
 Unable to formulate a complete
theoretical and experimental
iii. Theory
principle i.e. just write the final
formula.
 Unable to produce an appropriate
iv. Experimental
procedure to run the experiment
procedure
and poor record keeping.
 Unable to present experimental
result using appropriate tables,
v. Result
charts, graphs or other
presentation formats.
 Unable to relate theoretical analysis
vi. Discussion with experimental result and their
practical implication.
 Unable to come out a clear and
vii. Conclusion
understandable conclusion.
viii. Overall  Unable to write a lab report clearly,
impression of precisely and in a well organized
report manner
ix. Team works  passively participation in group
1. LAB REPORT ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
ACCEPTABLE
(2) (3)
 Fairly write abstract i.e. not
enough information
 Fairly describe background and
objective of each experiment
 Adequately formulate
theoretical and experimental
principles with small errors.
 Adequately produce an
appropriate procedure to run
the experiment and fair record
keeping .i.e. missing steps in
procedure and missing in data
record
 Adequately present
experimental result using
appropriate tables, charts,
graphs or other presentation
formats.
 Adequately relate theoretical
analysis with experimental result
and their practical implication.
 Conclusion is not clear, but yet,
understandable in such manner.
 Generally follows the standard a
lab report.
 Moderate participation in group
EXCELLENT PROGRAM
(4) (5) OUTCOME
 Capable to write abstract
CO3 [PO2]
concisely, informative and
quantitative.
 Capable to describe background
and objective of each CO1 [PO1]
experiment clearly.
 Capable to formulate a complete
theoretical and experimental CO3 [PO2]
principle.
 Capable to produce a detailed
procedure to run the experiment CO2 [P1O]
and good record keeping.
 Capable to articulate
experimental result using
appropriate tables, charts, CO3 [PO2]
graphs or other presentation
formats.
 Capable to relate theoretical
analysis with experimental result CO3 [PO2]
and their practical implication.
 Capable to express a clear and
CO3 [PO2]
concise conclusion.
 Capable to write a lab report
clearly, precisely and in a well CO4 [PO9]
organized manner
 Actively participation in group CO2 [P10]
Each of these sections is expected to contain specific types of information:-

Abstract

1. Is an abbreviated, accurate representation of the content of the report

 Usually one paragraph
o Why the experiment was done
o How the experiment was performed
o What pertinent results were obtained
o Conclusion obtained from data analysis
 Informative, quantitative, short, concisely written
2. Do not refer in the abstract to information that is not in the report
3. Write this section LAST!

Introduction

1. Necessary Background Information

 A short statement of phenomenon under study (i.e., what are you studying?) OR
 A statement of importance of phenomenon to the field (brief, 1-2 sentences; i.e.,
why is this area of research important to engineers?) OR
 A statement of importance of phenomenon to the "real world" (be careful, limit
this to a specific application or applications. Be brief. ) AND
 Any necessary background information (e.g., related experiments, etc).

2. Indicate the need for testing/experimental analysis

 A statement of the problem that is being investigated and any subproblems OR
 A question that needs to be answered about the phenomenon under study

3. Show how you will answer the need for testing/experimental analysis
 The method you'll employ to answer the question or solve the problem identified
in 2. (i.e., what are you going to do?)
 A description of the specific objective of the experiment (i.e., what are you going
to do?)
 A statement of what will be covered in the report (check with individual professors
regarding their preferences)

Theory

1. Summarize the key theory concepts that are being used, examined, or tested in the
experiment
 Also summarize key theory equations used in data analysis
2. Clearly state assumptions that are used in theory
3. Point out possible regimes where assumptions might be violated in experiment
4. Use figures or schematics as appropriate
5. Cite relevant references to guide readers who need or want additional information

Experimental Procedures

1. Statement of location of experiment (optional)

 Name of laboratory, department and university
 2. Apparatus/Experimental Setup (obligatory)
 apparatus name
 model numbers (serial numbers not necessary)
 clearly-labelled diagrams
 relevant measurements of items related to apparatus
 table of experimental equipment used (refer to this in procedure, but place table in
appendix),
3. Procedure - step by step organization (obligatory)
 Procedure should be explained in enough detail to allow another researcher to
duplicate your experiment.
o Calibrations used
o Methods used to obtain data
o
Results

1. You are answering the question

 What did you observe or measure in the experiment?
2. Write this section so that it stands on it’s own
3. Emphasize results that answer the question(s) you are examining
4. Put secondary results after primary ones
5. Don’t repeat in the numbers that are presented in the tables and figures in the text
6. Don’t repeat the table and figure titles in the text
7. Show sample of calculation
8. Include error analysis

Discussion

1. You are answering the general question

 What do your finding mean, and what are the implications of these findings’?
2. Citing agreement or disagreement with theory and previous studies
3. Discuss any possible errors in your method and assumptions
4. Point out how these possible errors may explain discrepancies in your experiment-
theory comparisons
5. Commentary on whether results are expected or unexpected
6. Commentary about the significance or implications of the results

Conclusions

1. Briefly describe the experimental approach that was used in one or two sentences
2. Describe the key results of the experiment
3. Summarize the essential implications of the results
4. Suggestions for future studies
5. Conclusions should be concise and are a statement of your main findings

References

1. References must be easily accessible in libraries or other public sources.

2. They are to be numbered in the order in which they are cited in the text.
Reference formatting

Journals

Walker, R. E., Stone, A.R., and Shandor, M., "Secondary Gas Injection in a Conical Rocket
Nozzle," AIAA Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1963, pp. 334-338.

Note: Title of article is in quotation marks and name of journal is italicized.

Books

Turner, M.J., Martin, H.C., and Leible, R.C., "Further Development and Applications of
Stiffness Method," Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis, 1st ed., Vol. 1,
Wiley, New York, 1963, pp. 6-10.

Note: This is an article published in a book containing an collection of articles. The title of the
book is italicized, and the title of the article is given in quotation marks.

Book Series

Sutton, K., "Air Radiation Revisited," Thermal Design of Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer
Vehicles, edited by H.F. Nelson, Vol. 96, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA,
New York, 1985, pp. 419-441.

Reports

Book, E., and Bratman, H., "Using Compilers to Build Compilers" Systems Development
Corp., SP-176, Santa Monica, CA, Aug. 1960.

Transactions/Proceedings

Soo, S.L., "Boundary-Layer Motion of a Gas-Solid Suspension," Proceedings of the

Symposium on Interaction Between Fluids and Particles, Vol. 1, Inst. of Chemical Engineers,
New York, 1962, pp. 50-63.

Meeting Papers

Bhutta, V.A., and Lewis, C.H., "Aerothermodynamic Performance of 3-D and Bent-Nose RVs
under Hypersonic Conditions," AIAA Paper 90-3068, Aug. 1990.