Rubric for Grading Lab Reports – Use of this detailed rubric will help consistency of grading between graders and between students of the same grader. This is a living
document, meant to be shared and edited by all invited users. As you grade, you may come upon instances that are not covered by the descriptions below.
Scientific Ability
Missing (0)
Inadequate (1)
Needs improvement (2)
Complete (3)
Title and Circumstances
Is able to write an appropriate
Title is not included.
and descriptive title.
Is able to indicate when an
experiment was done and list all
This information is missing.
contributors to measurement and
analysis.
Title is not appropriate for the given
report.
Appropriate title, missing details of
DV and/or IV.
Title is clearly stated, appropriate, and
includes DV and IV(s).
Either the time period an
experiment was conducted or the
contributors are missing.
The time period an experiment was
conducted is included but some
contributors are missing.
The time period an experiment was
conducted and all contributors are
included.
IVs and DVs are not mentioned.
Neither the IV nor the DV is clearly
identified in most of the
experiments.
Either the IV or DV is not clearly
identified in one or two of the
experiments done.
CVs are not mentioned.
Only a few CVs are correct for each
factor; or few values are provided.
Most CVs are correct for each factor
but values for some CVs are missing.
Hypotheses and predictions are
not mentioned.
Hypotheses are stated but most are
not testable; or most hypotheses
are missing when several are
required; or no predictions included
Each required hypothesis is stated
but one of the variables is incorrect;
or a hypothesis is missing (of
several); predictions not reasonable.
The independent and dependent
variables for each factor are clearly
identified.
Control variables and actual values for
each factor are mentioned and
correct.
Experimental Design Template(s)
Is able to identify independent
and dependent variables for each
factor investigated.
Is able to identify the set of
control variables and actual
values for each hypothesis.
Is able to identify a testable
hypothesis and make a separate
prediction of the outcome for
each factor investigated.
Data Tables and Graphs for Each Factor
Is able to present data in
appropriately labeled tables.
Is able to present data in a
meaningful way using
appropriately labelled graphs.
Is able to include uncertainties
for each type of measurement
and to describe how these were
estimated.
Is able to include error bars on
graphs (mention below graph if
they are too small to be seen).
Data are either absent or
incomprehensible.
Some important data are absent or
incomprehensible.
All graphs are missing entirely.
Some necessary graphs are absent
or all labels missing.
More than one uncertainty value is
All uncertainty values are missing. missing and more than one
estimation process is not described.
Error bars are missing.
Error bars are missing on one of
multiple graphs.
All relevant data are present but
effort is needed to comprehend or
data is missing units/labels.
All necessary graphs are present, but
effort is needed to understand or
some units/labels are missing.
Each hypothesis is complete, testable,
and clearly stated; each prediction is
reasonable.
All relevant data present, organized,
and in appropriately labeled tables
which are numbered and titled.
All necessary graphs are included,
numbered, and titled, axes are
labeled and include units.
Uncertainties are included either
Only one uncertainty value is missing
within or beneath the data table and
or the estimation process is missing
the process of estimation is correctly
for one type of uncertainty.
described.
Either horizontal or vertical error
Appropriate error bars are included
bars are missing (if both were
on graphs for each data point (note is
needed); or size of error bars is
included below graph if they are too
incorrect.
small to be seen).
Scientific Ability
Discussion and Conclusion
Is able to restate the research
question for reader clarity.
Is able to describe how the
experiment with hanging weight
as the independent variable
addressed the research question
and what claim can be made.
The acceleration vs. hanging
weight graph and its error bars
are referred to in the discussion.
Missing (0)
No attempt is made to restate
the research question.
Inadequate (1)
Needs improvement (2)
Research question is included and
correctly stated.
A discussion is included with
adequate reasoning or justification for
how the evidence (graphed data)
supports the claim. Error bars, their
A discussion is included but many
A discussion is included but some
No discussion is included.
size, and the equivalency criterion are
details are missing or inaccurate.
details are missing or inaccurate.
discussed with respect to how the
hanging weight affects the
acceleration.
The other group’s findings are not so The other group’s findings are clearly
The other group’s findings may not
Is able to describe how the
clearly presented. Some
presented. Discrepancies and
be presented. Few discrepancies
findings of a group different from No presentation of other group’s
discrepancies and agreements
agreements between the groups’ data
and agreements between the
the author’s group either support results or comparison and
between the groups’ data and claims and claims are stated and discussed.
groups’ data and claims are stated
or refute the author’s group’s
discussion is included.
are stated and discussed, but not all,
and discussed; statements and
results and conclusions.
or statements and discussions weak
discussions weak and not logical.
and not clear.
The other group’s findings are not so The other group’s findings are clearly
Is able to describe how the
The other group’s findings may not
clearly presented. Some
presented. Discrepancies and
findings of a second group
be presented. Few discrepancies
No presentation of other group’s
discrepancies and agreements
agreements between the groups’ data
different from the author’s group
and agreements between the
results or comparison and
between the groups’ data and claims and claims are stated and discussed.
either support or refute the
groups’ data and claims are stated
discussion is included.
are stated and discussed, but not all,
author’s group’s results and
and discussed; statements and
or statements and discussions weak
conclusions.
discussions weak and not logical.
and not clear.
Theoretical equation a=F/msys is
Is able to provide the correct
Theoretical equation is provided, but provided and the discussion for how
theoretical equation for the
Theoretical equation is not
Theoretical equation is provided,
the attempt made to discuss how
the experimental mathematical
acceleration of a system by a
experimental mathematical model
model a=C1*w+C2 supports the
provided. No attempt is made to but no attempt is made to discuss
single force and discuss how the discuss how experimental
how experimental mathematical
supports the theoretical model is
theoretical model is complete and
experimental mathematical
lacking appropriate detail. Curve
mathematical model supports the model supports the theoretical
accurate. Results from curve fitting
model supports, or does not
theoretical model.
model.
fitting and relation to the system
and how the system mass relates to
support, the theoretical model.
mass is weak.
the fitting parameters are included in
the discussion.
Enhanced theoretical equation
Is able to provide the correct
a=F/msys + Fext/msys is provided and
enhanced theoretical equation
Enhanced theoretical equation is Enhanced theoretical equation is
Enhanced theoretical equation is
the discussion for how the
for the acceleration of a system
not provided. No attempt is made provided, but no attempt is made to provided, but no attempt is made to experimental mathematical model
by more than one force and
to discuss how experimental
discuss how experimental
discuss how experimental
supports the theoretical model is
discuss how the experimental
mathematical model supports the mathematical model supports the
mathematical model supports the
complete and accurate. How the
mathematical model supports, or
theoretical model.
theoretical model.
theoretical model.
extra force(s) relate(s) to the fitting
does not support, the theoretical
parameters are included in the
model.
discussion.
NA
Research question is included but
incorrectly stated.
Complete (3)
Is able to discuss the scenario of a
heavy string connecting the
hanging weight with the cart and
give a correct prediction of the
acceleration.
Is able to identify random errors
and how they were reduced or
could be reduced. (Systematic
errors are included when
applicable.)
Is able to identify constraints
within the experiment and
discuss how these may affect the
generalizability of the results.
Correct prediction is made but no
Incorrect prediction, no reasoning reasoning or incorrect prediction
with semi-reasonable argument.
Correct prediction is made but
reasoning is weak or incorrect
prediction with strong reasoning.
No attempt is made to identify
errors and no discussion is
provided for how to reduce the
impact of errors during data
analysis.
Attempt to identify errors is lacking
or no discussion is included for how
to reduce impact of errors during
data analysis.
No attempt is made to identify
constraints in the experiment.
An attempt is made to identify
constraints, but the discussion is
missing for how they may affect the
generalizability of the results.
All random errors and any systematic
Reasonable attempt is made to
errors that affect the results are
identify errors but discussion for how
correctly identified. Thorough
to reduce impact of errors during
discussion for how to reduce the
data analysis is lacking needed detail.
impact of errors is included.
All major constraints of the
Some constraints are missing or
experiment are identified and
some are not included in the
appropriately included in a discussion
discussion for how they may affect
for how they may affect the
the generalizability of the results.
generalizability of the results.
There are many spelling and
grammatical errors throughout
the report and references are
needed but not included.
There are multiple spelling and
grammatical errors throughout the
report or references are included
but essential ones are missing.
Grammatical Considerations
Is able to use proper spelling,
grammar, and punctuation, as
well as to properly cite references
when applicable (including the
work from other lab groups).
There are a few spelling and
grammatical errors throughout the
report or references are included but
essential ones are missing.
Correct prediction is made and
reasoning is valid.
No spelling or grammatical errors are
found in the report and all references
are properly cited, including the work
from other lab groups.