Physical Science Lab Rubric: printable pdf download

Physical Science

Lab Report Formatting Guidelines

Good scientists are organized and present their information in an organized way. This is the

format you will use this semester when you complete formal lab reports. Not every lab or

activity will require this write up. You may need to have the Purpose, Hypothesis,

Materials, Variables and Procedure written before you start some labs! If you come

unprepared, you will lose credit on the lab and will not be able to participate until it is done.

Name

Date

Hour

Title of Lab

(Create your own if one is not given to you.)

Purpose: What are you trying to find out? Make sure that it is testable (able to be

analyzed/observed/measured). This is always included. Purposes are often written as a question.

[Complete sentence(s) required.]

Hypothesis: This is your best guess of what the results of your experiment will be. It should

be based on information you already have. You should include a sentence or two describing

WHY you think that will happen. Some labs do not include a hypothesis. [Complete sentence(s)

required.]

Materials: List everything that one would need to duplicate your experiment. Remember to

include specific amounts, if needed.

Variables:

Independent Variable: This is the part of the experiment that is changing. What are

you testing?

Dependent Variable: This is the part of the experiment that you are measuring. What

might be changing based on the experiment?

Constants: List all things and conditions you kept constant during the experiment.

Procedure: Describe (using words and possibly pictures/diagrams) the initial set up of your

experiment. Then, explain step by step how you conducted your whole research. Be specific

and complete using your own words. Be sure to write enough and include enough detail that

anyone would be able to follow your experiment simply by following your written procedure.

The procedure is usually the longest part of your report. [Complete sentences required. Yes,

sentences can be formatted in a step by step manner.]

Observations and Data: This section should include your raw data (observations,

measurements and calculations) that you gathered throughout the experiment. Include charts,

graphs, tables, and diagrams so that the reader understands what you did. All of these should be

clearly labeled! You should also describe any problems with your lab procedure or unusual

circumstances that occurred that could influence future attempts with the experiment. [Portions

of this section will likely be in complete sentences.]

Conclusion: Your conclusion should analyze and summarize your results and consider future

possibilities. You should directly refer back to your hypothesis (was your hypothesis supported

or not by the experiment?). You should clarify the pattern you found. What did you learn?

What problems would you fix if you tested the same question in the future? Finally, what other

questions does this experiment leave you wondering about? [Complete sentences required.]

Make sure you have completed each section before you turn in your report!

Physical Science Lab Rubric:

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