Grading Checklist

Introduction 

This section is labeled: Introduction. There is only one introduction section in the report. (1)

The introduction provides the reader with enough information to know what the experiment is about and why it is being conducted. Sufficient information is provided that the reader can understand the rest of the lab report. The writer also explains why the hypotheses are being proposed. (5)

The hypothesis (or hypotheses) being tested are stated. They are clearly identified as a hypotheses that will be tested in the experiment. The hypotheses are appropriate for the experiment being conducted. (5)

Methods

This section is labeled Methods. (1)

This section provides the reader with enough information that the reader could repeat the experiment. The writer used his/her own words to write this section. (5)

This section is written using whole sentences and paragraphs. (2)

Avoid using the words I, he, she, or we. This section should be written in third person and there should not be references to other people. This section should be written in past tense. (1)

Results

This section is labeled Results. (1)

Only results are found in this section, nothing else. (2)

This section is written using sentences and paragraphs. (2)

All of the results are included in this section. The results are written clearly and are easy to understand. (3)

Summary statistics (averages, etc.) are provided where appropriate. (2)

Appropriate tables and figures (graphs, photographs, drawings, etc.) are used. At least one graph and one table should be included. The graphs and tables should be prepared by a computer and printer. (2)

The axes of graphs are labeled. The independent variable should be on the X-axis and the dependent variable is on the Y-axis. (2)

Tables and figures are placed in the results section near where they are discussed, not at the end of the paper. (1)

Tables and figures have a caption that briefly describes the table or figure. Example - "Table 1. Percent diffusion of food coloring in hot and cold water" Do not use the quotation marks. Tables are labeled Table 1, Table 2, etc. Graphs and drawings are labeled Figure 1, Figure 2, etc. The text (sentences) refer to the tables and figures. For example "Table 1 shows that the rate of diffusion in hot water was faster than it was in cold water." (2)

Discussion

This section is labeled Discussion. (1)

This section states whether you accept or reject the hypothesis or hypotheses. If the hypothesis is rejected, an alternative is given. (3)

Acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis is supported by the data. (2)

Adequate interpretation of the data is provided (see instructions). Unexpected results are discussed adequately. (5)

A general understanding of diffusion and osmosis is demonstrated. (5)

Literature Cited

APA format is used for references. For more information on APA, go to the Douglas Library home page and select APA / MLA Guides. (5)

At least two references are used. The following kinds of citations do not count: 1) references without an author name; 2) textbooks, dictionaries, and encyclopedias If you use these kinds of materials, you will need to find additional citations so that you have at least two. Web pages are not reliable sources of information. If the internet is used for references, online books, journals, or other periodicals are preferred sources. (10)

Other Items

Point deduction for late submission (10% per day)

Direct quotations are not used. All citations are reworded in the authors own words. (5 points deducted for usage)

The metric system is used throughout the report. (up to 3 points deducted)

There are only 5 sections in the paper: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Literature Cited. There are no other subtitles. (2)

The writer understands that hypotheses are not proven; they are accepted or rejected (1)

Complete sentences were used throughout. English is used correctly; grammatical errors are minimal. (5)

A spelling checker was used; there are no spelling errors or typographical errors. (3)