Honors (Vee) Labs

Lab Reports

The Vee
Writing Up Labs.

Vee Rubric

The Vee

This Vee is a modification of the work done by Joseph Novak and Bob Gowin. See their book Learning How to Learn, Cambridge University Press 1984

Honors Lab Guideline

Your lab book is a working document: an on-going record of what you are doing. All scientists keep such a notebook, in one form or another. Because they are expected to last and to stand up to lab conditions, your lab book must have a hard cover and sewn-in pages. And you are to securely fasten any "cut & paste" items.

For some labs, you'll be required to do all the parts in your lab book. For others, I will check your lab book only for data, and the rest of the lab will be presented orally or as a poster. For informal "Exploratories", Vees and complex analysis will be omitted and the concluson will be replaced with a short prompt-based reflection.

Your lab book is a documented record of research. For that reason, authenticity is far more important than perfect neatness. You may NOT rip out pages or black out data so it can't be seen. You MAY cross out or work you don't want me to grade or recopy data. You are encouraged to include notes from class discussions or your own musings.

PreLab:

• In your TABLE OF CONTENTS, list the lab title and date the data will be collected. Leave one margin free for my grade.

• In your HAZARDS LIST, list all new chemicals that have hazard ratings > 3. This includes MSDS codes, names & formulas, and specific hazards.

• On a new page put the TITLE at the top, along with the names of LAB PARTNERS.

• The rest of this page is for your PLANNING VEE, which includes …

… the FOCUS QUESTIONS (purpose),

… the CONCEPTS (vocabulary) and PRINCIPLES (statements of prior knowledge),

… the PROCEDURE (a brief summary of the procedure),

… a list of the DATA (observations and measurements) to be collected, and

… a list of the ANALYSIS (calculations and graphs) to be done.

• Starting on the next page, add …

… the PROCEDURE, which may be cut & pasted or written in your own words, including all diagrams and room for last minute changes,

… blank DATA TABLES and room for qualitative observations.

During the Lab:

• ALL team members must take down all the data in their lab books. YOU WILL LOSE GRADE POINTS IF I FIND YOU PUTTING DATA ON SEPARATE PIECES OF PAPER OR RELYING ON GETTING DATA LATER FROM A PARTNER.

• Jot down any notes relating to procedure changes. You can receive bonus points for clever modifications you think up: experimentation is not a static art!

PostLab:

• Collect any CLASS DATA in an organized table in your lab book.

• Complete the ANALYSIS. Be sure to show appropriate work (you only need to show work once for any particular type of calculation) and to label values, tables, and graphs. You can also receive bonus points for using useful new analytical tools.

• Write CONCLUSIONS. Answer each focus question and back up your claims with specifics from your data and/or analysis. You may write separate, numbered sections for each focus question or write a single conclusion.

• Go back over the earlier sections and check for completeness.

Honors Vee Lab Rubric

A

The report exceeds the standards in some way. This includes but is not limited to: an innovative use of equipment; an alternative method of analysis that enhances understanding or is more efficient; unusually expert drawings/diagrams; a conclusion that insightfully explores or demonstrates depth of understanding of relevant points beyond the required focus. This report is a model of excellence.

B

The lab report demonstrates a clear understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in the lab. New hazards are correctly recorded in the front of the lab book (name, formula, diamond, areas > 3 described). The lab is properly credited by name & date (in the table of contents and the Vee page), and partners (on the Vee). The Vee is complete in all sections. There are at least 3 key concepts listed, and principles cover all concepts and vice versa. The event is a one sentence summary of the procedure. All data and analysis that were done are listed . The procedure is written in enough detail (using words and/or diagrams) that a peer could repeat the lab from this notebook alone. Team and class data are authentic (taken during the lab), complete, fully labeled, and organized. The analysis is complete, accurate, fully labeled, organized, and provides sample shown work for new types of calculations. The conclusions fully answer all focus questions and provide specific back up from the data and/or analysis for all claims. Accuracy is discussed by comparing the accepted value to the range of the class average + average deviation, or a comparably valid method. Precision is discussed using accumulated error (if required) or the "10% rule of thumb". Error analysis, if requested, should trace a reasonable, nontrivial source of error step by step to its quantifiable effect on the final result of the lab. The lab is legible. The grammar, use and spelling of critical vocabulary is generally correct.

C

The lab report meets most of the standards listed under "B" but not all of them. There may be slight weaknesses in several areas or one major weakness. The student demonstrates an adequate understanding of most of the concepts & techniques involved in the lab, but may wish to get some help on area(s) of weakness. The student can probably apply most of the concepts to very similar situations but is likely to have difficulty applying them to new situations.

D

The lab report demonstrates quality in at least one area but does not meet most of the standards listed under "B". The student does not demonstrate an adequate understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in the lab: s/he is not likely to be able to apply knowledge from this lab to similar situations. The student should seek extra help.

F

The lab report demonstrates little understanding of this particular lab or of how to write up a lab report. The student should seek extra help, and may be given the opportunity to rewrite the lab if circumstances warrent it.

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A	The report exceeds the standards in some way. This includes but is not limited to: an innovative use of equipment; an alternative method of analysis that enhances understanding or is more efficient; unusually expert drawings/diagrams; a conclusion that insightfully explores or demonstrates depth of understanding of relevant points beyond the required focus. This report is a model of excellence.
B	The lab report demonstrates a clear understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in the lab. New hazards are correctly recorded in the front of the lab book (name, formula, diamond, areas > 3 described). The lab is properly credited by name & date (in the table of contents and the Vee page), and partners (on the Vee). The Vee is complete in all sections. There are at least 3 key concepts listed, and principles cover all concepts and vice versa. The event is a one sentence summary of the procedure. All data and analysis that were done are listed . The procedure is written in enough detail (using words and/or diagrams) that a peer could repeat the lab from this notebook alone. Team and class data are authentic (taken during the lab), complete, fully labeled, and organized. The analysis is complete, accurate, fully labeled, organized, and provides sample shown work for new types of calculations. The conclusions fully answer all focus questions and provide specific back up from the data and/or analysis for all claims. Accuracy is discussed by comparing the accepted value to the range of the class average + average deviation, or a comparably valid method. Precision is discussed using accumulated error (if required) or the "10% rule of thumb". Error analysis, if requested, should trace a reasonable, nontrivial source of error step by step to its quantifiable effect on the final result of the lab. The lab is legible. The grammar, use and spelling of critical vocabulary is generally correct.
C	The lab report meets most of the standards listed under "B" but not all of them. There may be slight weaknesses in several areas or one major weakness. The student demonstrates an adequate understanding of most of the concepts & techniques involved in the lab, but may wish to get some help on area(s) of weakness. The student can probably apply most of the concepts to very similar situations but is likely to have difficulty applying them to new situations.
D	The lab report demonstrates quality in at least one area but does not meet most of the standards listed under "B". The student does not demonstrate an adequate understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in the lab: s/he is not likely to be able to apply knowledge from this lab to similar situations. The student should seek extra help.
F	The lab report demonstrates little understanding of this particular lab or of how to write up a lab report. The student should seek extra help, and may be given the opportunity to rewrite the lab if circumstances warrent it.