Chapter 36 Checklist for Success
This general checklist follows the bins-based criteria that we use routinely. Your instructor will revise this checklist to match their expectations.
Minimum Requirements
These fundamental elements cannot be left out of a lab report.
[ ] All the required sections are present (Title, Abstract, Introduction, etc.) and properly organized.
[ ] Your report has a clear hypothesis, or clearly stated research goals.
[ ] Your data are summarized in figures or tables that are clear and informative.
[ ] You have interpreted your results, and stated clearly whether or not your original hypothesis was supported and why.
[ ] You have supporting citations for primary literature in your Introduction and Discussion.
[ ] All of the sources you used are listed in the Literature Cited section.
Writing Quality
[ ] Your wording is clear and concise.
[ ] The text flows logically from one idea to the next.
[ ] You used precise, technical language and terms that are appropriate for a scientific audience.
[ ] You did not use “emotional” or unnecessarily complex language.
[ ] You have not included any distracting elements that detract from clearly undertanding the outcomes of your experiment.
Technical Elements
[ ] All of your data have been summarized appropriately. You have not reported raw data or observations.
[ ] Your tables and graphs are formatted properly and are clear, legible.
[ ] You have performed your statistical calculations correctly, and reported the results in the right format.
[ ] Your in-text citations are formatted correctly, and are all listed in the Literature Cited section correctly.
[ ] You have included references in the main text to every table or figure.
Logic and Reasoning
[ ] All of your claims are supported either by outside sources (which are cited) or by the evidence you collected and presented.
[ ] There is a clear, logical connection between each of your claims and the evidence supporting it.
[ ] When it is not obvious, you have explained your reasoning connecting your claims and evidence.
[ ] You have interpreted the evidence conservatively, and not made claims or statements beyond what your evidence can support.
[ ] If you make any speculations, you indicate them clearly and explain your logic fully.
Common Mistakes
These are what we see our students do. Your instructor will provide you with a list of what they see most often.
[ ] Making broad sweeping claims that are not supported by their evidence.
[ ] Not explaining their evidence or logic behind their claims.
[ ] Not using enough outside resources to put their experiment into context or support their conclusions.
[ ] Reporting or interpreting results of statistical tests incorrectly.
[ ] Putting error bars on graphs incorrectly, or not at all.
[ ] Reporting raw, un-summarized data.
[ ] Obscuring their story with elaborate, flowerly language and jargon.
[ ] Copying the methods straight from the lab manual.
[ ] Guessing what the instructor wants instead of asking for help.
[ ] Starting too late. Good writing takes time.
36.1 Instructors’ Supplement
36.1.1 Adapting Your Guide
We have found students appreciate having a one-stop checklist that ensures they do not miss important parts of their report. The items listed here match key points that were listed in the preceding sections. Revise the checklist as needed to include the items which have the largest impact on overall report grade.