Note: Your instructor may choose to employ different standards; material she/he provides you with overrides this document.

Abstract	A concise, well-written summary of project; includes all components needed in an abstract	A written summary of project; includes all components needed in an abstract; but is unnecessarily wordy	A written summary of project, but is missing one of the components needed in an abstract	A written summary of project, but is missing two of the components needed in an abstract	A written summary of project, but is missing three or more of the components needed in an abstract
Introduction	Demonstrates why research is of interest/ important to reader; is concise and well written	Demonstrates why research is of interest/ important to reader; but needlessly wordy	Explains research, but not why it is of interest to reader	Provides some information on research	Little information provided on the research is given
Methods	Easily followed explanation of procedure; not written as steps; materials included in methods	Written as steps or materials were done in a list, but all information is there and understandable	Some information is missing, or listed as steps and materials in list	Procedure is confusing, but probably repeatable	Procedure is not repeatable based on information given

Results	A concise and well-written synopsis of the results; includes a statement encapsulating each result from a Table/graph that clearly summarize the data gathered during the experiment.	A concise and well-written synopsis of the results; includes a few statements encapsulating some results from a Table/graph that clearly summarize the data gathered during the experiment	A written synopsis of the results; includes a few statements encapsulating some results from a Table/graph that summarize the data gathered during the experiment	A written synopsis of the results; includes statements about results found in the Table/graph that summarize the data gathered during the experiment	A written synopsis of the results; includes statements about results found in the Table/graph; table and/or graph does not clearly summarize results
Discussion	Clearly and rationally interprets results/data in relation to research question. Use of data as evidence to address question(s) is clear. Significance of results in relation to current scientific understanding apparent. Accuracy and/or reproducibility of data is also discussed.	Interprets results/data in relation to research question. Use of data as evidence to address question(s) is clear. Significance of results in relation to current scientific understanding may not be apparent or accuracy and/or reproducibility of data is not discussed.	Interprets results/data in relation to research question. Use of data as evidence to address question(s) is not clear. Significance of results in relation to current scientific understanding may not be apparent or accuracy and/or reproducibility of data is not discussed.	Interpretation of results/data is not related to research question. Use of data as evidence to address question(s) is not clear. Significance of results in relation to current scientific understanding is not apparent or Accuracy and/or reproducibility of data is not discussed.	Interpretation of results/data is not related to research question. No use of data as evidence to address question(s). Significance of results in relation to current scientific understanding is not apparent and accuracy and/or reproducibility of data is not discussed.
Conclusion	A succinct conclusion based on data, mechanism and question	Conclusion based on data, mechanism and question, but is too wordy	Conclusion based on data, but mechanism and/or question not mentioned	Conclusion is not based on data, mechanism and/or question may be mentioned	Conclusion is irrelevant to project

Abstract – Comes first in your report, but is the last part written. It is a one paragraph summary of everything. It needs to include: an introductory statement, a purpose statement, your hypothesis, key results, and a conclusion (assessment of hypothesis).

Introduction – Tell the reader what he/she will need to know in order to understand the report. A short description of photosynthesis (at least Photosystem II) would be helpful. The reader should also know what DCPIP does (no, turning from blue to clear is not THE answer) and how DCMU (Diuron) works.

Methods – A written summary of what you did and what you used. DO NOT use a list for either your method or your materials. Make it flow. Don’t get wordy. When you’re finished, your roommate (or mom, or dad…) should be able to reproduce what you did.

Results – You should include a table of your data, and appropriate graph(s). It should be a well-written summary of your results. You should have a statement (but not necessarily a sentence) for each result. For example: “The amount of glucose in the flask at the end of the Glycolysis/Fermentation procedure was lower (“blue” result from Benedict’s test) than the amount of glucose in the flask at the beginning (“red” result from Benedict’s test). See Table #”

Discussion – This is the “meat and potatoes” of your lab report; stay focused. Here you will need to:

- Answer your research question(s)/hypotheses with respect to your results

- Use your results to support your answers

- Discuss your findings in relation to what is currently known/accepted on the

subject

- When relevant, identify possible sources of error and how these might have compromised your findings

- Provide other possible ways to address/test questions that remain unanswered from your project/report

Conclusion – This is just a brief summary of your project based on your hypotheses/questions and your data. Remember, you won’t “prove” anything is true. In this particular report you won’t even be able to “prove” something is not true. You might “show”, “demonstrate”, or “accept.” If you have only “supported” or produced findings “consistent with”, these gradations are important; be clear on what your work accomplished and communicate it accurately.