Setting up the Lab Notebook Cover of the

Setting up the Lab Notebook

Cover of the lab notebook Your name goes here in magic marker

THE LAB NOTEBOOK, FIRST PAGE Table of Contents lab number Lab title First page of the lab 2 nd lab and title First page of 2 nd lab Your grade will be here Table of Contents 1 Fun Lab 2 Another Fun Lab 95 1 9

The second page of the lab notebook Fun Lab title Page number Date you did the lab Lab partner Purpose Safety Materials (if it is a design lab) Procedure Purpose: Lab partner: Javier Safety: Materials: Procedure: 1 2 3 8/14/19 1

Left side of a page in the lab notebook Do not write or number this page. This page is for attaching lab handouts, graphs, diagrams, etc. Fold handout like this and tape here, taping only the inside top. (so it can be opened easily)

Data Section

Data Section • The Data section includes a clear and organized documentation of the observations and measurements that were made during the lab.

Data Section • All data tables must be drawn with a ruler. • Data sections may include diagrams of the experimental set-up with observations recorded on the diagram. • The use of lengthy paragraphs is not necessary, but clearly labeled and documented findings are essential.

Data Section • The Data section will often include calculated data. • Work should be shown for each type of calculation that is performed. • The calculation should be labeled with the answer boxed. • If the same type of calculation is repeatedly performed, the work only needs to be shown once. This work should be clear and labeled.

Data Section • The Data section may include a titled graph. • The axes of the graph should be clearly labeled. • When the graph is a representation of collected data, you may have to determine the slope, y-intercept, or other values. • The equation is often written in slopeintercept form (y = mx + b).

Data Section • The equation for your graph should include symbols for the variables being plotted, not the traditional x and y often used in math class. • The Data section may include class data in addition to individual lab group data. • Your data must be clearly labeled to distinguish it from data collected by the class.

Example of a Poor Data Section

Example of a Great Data Section

Conclusion

Conclusion • The conclusion always relates to the purpose statement. • A conclusion is long enough to completely explain the purpose with supporting data. • The conclusion should always include complete thoughts written using complete sentences, even if it is listed as numbered questions on the lab handout. (do not number your answers)

Conclusion • All labs will include a discussion of results within the conclusion. • The discussion of results includes an explanation of how the collected data provide logical and reasonable support for the statement found in the conclusion. • You must explicitly refer to data in the conclusion.

Error Analysis • Most labs will include an error analysis, where the reliability of the data is evaluated. • Percent error • Error analysis is discussed in the conclusion, but calculated (and labeled) in the data section.

Miscellaneous • All labs must be written in dark blue or black pen only. • If you make an error, draw two horizontal lines through the error, and then write the corrected data. • You never write anything in a lab report in pencil. You never use wite-out anywhere in the lab. You never scribble out data.

Bad News • All labs not turned in on the due date are subject to a grade reduction of 10% for every day the lab is late. • If you are absent the day the lab is due, you must have an excused absence or you lose 10%. • If you are absent for the lab, you are responsible to schedule the make-up. • All labs are required any skipped will result in a zero grade.