Lab Reports
You will turn in a written report for virtually every lab
we do. Here is the format to follow. Write your name, the date the
lab was performed, your partner’s name(s), the course number (ASTR 1030), and
the telescope number you used (for telescope labs) at the top of the first page. Then include
the items below.
I. TITLE: Write the title
of the lab as given in your lab write-up.
II. PURPOSE: Give a brief
statement of the Purpose of the lab. Think this statement through and make sure
that your “Purpose” actually corresponds to what you did in lab. Your
Conclusion will be based on your Purpose, (See item V.) and if your Purpose is
incorrect then your Conclusion will be also.
III. DATA, OBSERVATIONS &
RESULTS: Include your data in this section. Please put your numerical data in
a table to make it easy to find and understand. Make sure you record your
numerical data with the proper units. Qualitative data (things like the color
of a star, whether a cluster is bright or dim, etc.) should be stated in
paragraph form. Here is
also where you will include your Results – the “answers” you get from your data
and observations. Observations made under the sky or at the telescope, charts,
or graphs that are on separate sheets of paper should be attached to the end of
the report. You should turn in the actual notes and sketches made at the
telescope, not copies. (Here's
an example sketch from an observation.) You do not have to
describe the procedure.
IV. SAMPLE CALCULATIONS &
QUESTIONS: Next include an example of any calculations you did in the lab.
This will help you remember what you did in lab when you’re studying for tests,
and it will make grading easier. Get yourself in the habit of writing “formula
– numbers – result,” all with the proper units. This is also where you include
your answers to any questions that were assigned. Answers to questions should
be clearly set apart and numbered. Answers don’t necessarily have to be in complete
sentences, but they should include explanations and justification based on your
measurements or observations in lab. “Yes” or “No” are rarely adequate answers
for lab questions, but rather, “Yes, because…,” etc.
V. CONCLUSION: Here you
interpret your results and explain their significance. This should be a direct
response to the Purpose of the lab that you gave in item number II, and you
should include the justification from your data, observations and results that
led you to your Conclusion. The Conclusion is where you demonstrate to me
that you understood the Purpose of the lab. Take your time on this and
communicate your understanding. It doesn’t have to be long, but it should
adequately demonstrate you have met the Purpose of the lab as shown by your
results. (Here's
an example Conclusion.)
NOTES:
 |
Lab write-ups will be
posted on the class web site. You are responsible for printing out the
write-up and becoming familiar with it prior to coming to lab! I reserve the
right to give pre-lab quizzes. |
| You will make frequent sketches of what you
observe in the sky with your naked eye or through the telescope, positions of
objects in the sky, etc. For most of these you will be provided with an
observation form. |
|
Sketches
in the field must be done
in pencil. You will need to bring a pencil with a good eraser to
each lab when observing is done. |
|
You will need to bring a
calculator to lab each week. One that has trig functions on it (sin, cos,
tan) will be most useful. |
|
As in all technical writing, you should
not use first person. For example, say, "The positions of
several stars were measured," instead of, "I measured the positions of several
stars." |
| Lab reports are due at the next lab meeting
following the performance of the lab. Late labs receive a penalty. |
|
Your reports don’t have to
be typed, but they should be neat, organized and easy to read. Your
report should be clear and concise and follow the rules of English grammar.
A minor number of points will be taken off for lack of units, use of first
person, misspellings, etc. |
|
Apart from the data and observations you make in the laboratory with
your partner(s), your work must be your own. Working with others to
write your lab report (or their report) is plagiarism and cheating. |
|
Remember to justify your
conclusions and answers to questions. In the “Conclusion” you must state the
evidence from your lab the led you to your conclusion. |