FORMAT OF LAB REPORT

When writing a report, several essential requirements must be met to ensure its effectiveness.
These requirements include clarity, brevity, completeness, good grammar, order, and neatness. As
a student, it is crucial to keep these requirements in mind to produce an excellent report. Remember
that more does not always equal better, so it is essential to choose your words thoughtfully to
ensure conciseness and clarity in your report.

To ensure consistency and clarity, all reports must be created using a word processor and other
software, such as spreadsheets or Mathcad, available to the student. The report must be concise
and fit on one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 paper with one-inch margins on all sides, except the binding
(left) edge, which should be 1-1/2 inches. The lab report must include the following sections in the
order listed to guarantee completeness and structure:

1. Cover sheet: Use the sample cover sheet provided in the Hydraulics Lab manual for all lab
reports.

2. Objective: Briefly summarize the content and scope of the lab experiment in one or two
sentences.

3. Introduction: Provide background information in terms of theoretical aspects of the

4. Data Sheet: Include an original or photocopy of the data sheet taken in the laboratory,
initialized by the instructor or lab assistant, containing only raw data obtained in the lab
and presented in tabular format when appropriate.

5. Calculation: In the calculation section, include a single example of each unique

6. Results: Include a statement of the results, presented in either tabular or graphical form as
required by the experiment.

7. Discussion: The discussion section should explain any deviations from expected or
published values, identifying the primary source of error and why it occurred. Limit the
discussion to no more than two pages.

8. Summary and Conclusions: Summarize the experiment briefly, listing primary sources
of error or deviation, and provide recommendations for improving the results. Limit the
conclusions to no more than one and a half pages.

9. Appendix: The appendix must contain the pictures taken inside the laboratory for
documentation.
 Sample Cover Sheet
When writing a report, several essential requirements must be met to ensure its effectiveness.
These requirements include clarity, brevity, completeness, good grammar, order, and neatness. As
a student, it is crucial to keep these requirements in mind to produce an excellent report. Remember
that more does not always equal better, so it is essential to choose your words thoughtfully to
ensure conciseness and clarity in your report.
 GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system for the lab will be based on two criteria: the lab report output and the rubrics laboratory
performance criteria. The lab report will account for 60% of the total grade, while the rubrics laboratory
performance criteria will account for 40%.

The lab report must include the following sections: Cover Sheet, Objective, Data Sheet, Calculation,
Results, Discussion, Summary and Conclusion, and appendix.
The rubrics for laboratory performance will be based on two categories: laboratory skills and work habits.
Laboratory skills will include manipulative skills, experimental set-up, data collection, and data analysis.
Work habits will include timeliness of work, cooperative and teamwork, safety and orderliness, and
responsibility.

Each category will be graded on a scale of 1-3, with 3 being the highest possible score. The total score for
the lab report output and the rubrics laboratory performance criteria will be combined to determine the final
grade for the lab.
Rubrics for Laboratory Performance:
CRITERIA BEGINNER (1) DEVELOPING (2) ACCOMPLISED (3) SCORE
I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative Skills Unable to perform Able to perform basic Able to perform all
basic manipulative manipulative skills with manipulative skills
skills adequately. supervision. accurately and
independently.
Experimental Set-up Unable to set up Able to set up Able to set up
experimental experimental apparatus experimental apparatus
apparatus. with supervision. accurately and
independently.
Data Collection Unable to collect Able to collect data with Able to collect accurate
valid data. some guidance and data independently.
support.
Data Analysis Unable to analyze Able to analyze data with Able to analyze data
data. some guidance and accurately and
support. independently.
II. Work Habits
Safety Does not follow Follows some safety Consistently follows all
safety procedures. procedures, but not safety procedures.
consistently.
Collaboration Does not work well Sometimes works well Works collaboratively and
with others. with others. contributes to group
discussions and activities.
Time Management Poor time Some difficulty Manages time effectively
management skills, managing time, but able and completes tasks on
often behind to complete tasks on time time independently.
schedule. with support.
Responsibility Members require Members require Members do not need to
supervision by the occasional supervision by be supervised by the
teacher. the teacher. teacher.
Comments/Observations: Total Score
Rating =
 score x100
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FINAL GRADE:
0.60 rating (lab report) + 0.40 rating (Lab Performance) =
Rubrics for Lab Report:
CRITERIA FAIR (1) GOOD (2) EXCELLENT (3) SCORE
Cover Sheet The cover sheet is The cover sheet follows the The cover sheet follows the
incomplete or has instructions but may have instructions precisely and is
major errors or flaws. minor errors or flaws. neat and professional.
Objective Unable to set up Able to set up experimental The objective is clear, concise,
experimental apparatus with supervision. and accurately reflects the
apparatus. content and scope of the
experiment.
Introduction The introduction may The introduction provides The introduction provides
lack some necessary sufficient background relevant background
information or clarity. information and an information and a clear
adequate explanation of the explanation of the theoretical
theoretical aspects of the aspects of the experiment. It
experiment. may include a well-labeled
picture of the equipment.
Data Sheet The data sheet is The data sheet is mostly The data sheet is complete,
incomplete, complete, organized, and organized, and legible. It only
disorganized, or legible, but may have minor contains raw data and is
illegible, or contains errors or omissions. initialized by the instructor or
irrelevant information. lab assistant.
Calculation Some calculations are Most calculations are All unique calculations are
incomplete or presented clearly and presented clearly and
inaccurate, or lack accurately, but may have accurately, with proper
proper definitions or minor errors or lack some definitions of variables and
sample calculations. detail or explanation. sample calculations. The
calculations demonstrate a
deep understanding of the
concepts and equations
involved.
Results The results may be The results are adequately The results are presented in a
incomplete, confusing, presented, but may lack clear and organized manner,
or irrelevant. The some clarity, organization, either in tables or graphs as
presentation may be or relevance. Some required. The results are
sloppy or disorganized. inaccuracies or accurate, relevant, and
inconsistencies may be meaningful, and demonstrate a
present. good understanding of the
experiment.
Discussion The discussion may be The discussion is adequate, The discussion is clear,
incomplete, superficial, but may lack some detail, concise, and insightful,
or unclear. Some errors clarity, or insight. Some explaining any deviations
or sources of error may errors or sources of error from expected values and
be omitted or may not be fully explained. identifying the sources of error
misunderstood. and their impact on the results.
The discussion demonstrates a
thoughtful and critical analysis
of the data.
Summary & The summary and The summary and The summary and conclusions
Conclusion conclusions may be conclusions are adequate, are clear, concise, and well-
incomplete, superficial, but may lack some detail, supported, summarizing the
or poorly supported. clarity, or relevance. Some experiment and its results,
Some errors or sources errors or sources of error identifying the primary
of error may be omitted may not be fully addressed. sources of error, and providing
or misunderstood. relevant recommendations for
improvement.
Appendix The appendix contains The appendix contains most The appendix contains all
some pictures, but they necessary and adequately necessary and well-labeled
may be incomplete, labeled pictures, but may pictures taken inside the
poorly labeled, or have minor errors or laboratory for documentation.
irrelevant. omissions.
Comments/Observations: Total Score
Rating =
 score x100
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