Formal Lab Report Grading Rubric

Formal Lab Report Grading RubricThe format for formal lab reports is described in detail in the laboratory manual. There are additional materials posted on the course website to assist you in writingformal laboratory reports.AbstractIntroductionExperimentalResults(Presentationof results,figures andtables)4 – Exceptional 3 – Admirable 2 – Acceptable 1 – Poor 0 - Substandard ScoreClear, concise, andthorough summaryincluding context, importantresults, and conclusions.A cohesive, well-writtensummary (including allrelevant chemistry) of thebackground materialpertinent to the experimentwith appropriate references.Places the purpose of theexperiment in context.Contains details on how theexperiment was performedand the proceduresfollowed. Written in thecorrect tense and omitsinformation that can beassumed by peers (trainedchemists)All figures, graphs, andtables are numbered withappropriate captions. Alltables, figures, etc. areexplicitly mentioned in thetext. Relevant experimentaldata are presented which areused in the discussion.Refers to most of themajor points, but someminor details aremissing or not clearlyexplainedIs nearly complete butdoes not providecontext for minorpoints. Containsrelevant information butfails to providebackground for oneaspect of theexperiment, or certaininformation is notcohesive.Narrative includes mostimportant experimentaldetails but is missingone or more relevantpieces of information.All figures, graphs, andtables are correctlydrawn, but some haveminor problems thatcould be still beimproved. All data andassociated figures, etc.are mentioned in thetext. Most relevant datapresent.Misses one of more majorparts of the results,context, or conclusionsCertain majorintroductory points aremissing (ex: background,theory, chemistry,context, etc.) orexplanations are unclearand confusing.References are usedproperly.Missing severalexperimental details orsome incorrectstatements.Most figures, graphs, andtables are included, butsome important orrequired features aremissing. Certain datareported are notmentioned in the text orare missing. Captions arenot descriptive orincomplete.Missing several majorsaspects and merelyrepeats information fromthe introductionVery little backgroundinformation is providedand/or information isincorrect. No referencesare provided.Several importantexperimental details aremissing. Narrative isincorrect, illogical, orcopied directly from thelab manual. Written inthe incorrect tense.Figures, graphs, andtables are poorlyconstructed; havemissing titles, captionsor numbers. Certain datareported are notmentioned in the text.Important data missing.None or unrelatedNone or unrelatedNone or unrelatedNone or unrelated___X 2___X 2______X 2Overriding criterion: If any portion of the report is identified as not being original and/or not done by the student, the paper will receive a zero and academicdishonesty charges will be filed.

Discussion/Conclusions4 – Exceptional 3 – Admirable 2 – Acceptable 1 – Poor 0 - Substandard ScoreDemonstrates a logical,coherent workingknowledge andunderstanding of importantexperimental concepts,forms appropriateconclusions based oninterpretations of results,includes applications of andimprovements in theexperiment, referencescollected data and analysis,refers to the literature whenappropriate, anddemonstrates accountabilityby providing justificationfor any errors. Address allspecific points or questionsposed in the lab manual.Demonstrates anunderstanding of themajority of importantexperimental concepts,forms conclusionsbased on results and/oranalysis but either lacksproper interpretation,suggests inappropriateimprovements in theexperiment, refers tothe literatureinsufficiently, or lacksoverall justification oferror. Address most ofthe specific points orquestions posed in thelab manual.While some of theresults have beencorrectly interpretedand discussed, partialbut incompleteunderstanding ofresults is still evident.Student fails to makeone or twoconnections tounderlying theory.Address some of thespecific points orquestions posed in thelab manual.Does not demonstratean understanding ofthe importantexperimental concepts,forms inaccurateconclusions, suggestsinappropriateimprovements in theexperiment, refers tothe literatureinsufficiently, andlacks overalljustification of error.Address none of thespecific points orquestions posed in thelab manual.None or unrelated___ X 2ReferencesOverall StyleandOrganizationMechanics(grammar,spelling, etc.)All sources (information andgraphics) are accuratelydocumented in ACS format.Appropriate as a piece ofscientific writing. Wordswere chosen carefully andappropriately. Sentencestructure was clear and easyto follow. Evidence thereport was edited by theauthor to improve clarityand readability.From a technical standpoint,the paper is free of spelling,punctuation, andgrammatical errorsAll sources areaccurately documented,but a few are not inACS format. Somesources are notaccurately documented.Minimal awkwardphrasing or wordchoices. Report is easyto read and constructedproperly. Evidence ofediting.Less than threegrammatical and/orspelling errorsAll sources areaccuratelydocumented, but manyare not in ACS format.Most sources are notdirectly cited in thetext.Many passages arephrased poorly,contained awkwardword choices, or manylong sentences.Narrative isdisorganized in manyplaces. Tense notappropriate or not inagreement in severalplaces.Multiple grammaticaland/or spelling errors.All sources areaccurately documentedbut not directly cited inthe text.Poorly organizednarrative with frequentawkward phrases andpoor word choices.Sentences are too longor short. Lackscohesion, style andfluidity. Manyinstances of verbtenses not agreeing. Noevidence of editing.Frequent spelling andgrammatical errors.Visit to Writing Centerstrongly encouraged.Sources are notdocumented nordirectly cited in thetext.Incorrect format, styleand organization.Extreme technicalerrors. Visit toWriting Centerstrongly encouraged.______ X 2___