INQUIRY LAB CHECKLIST
Use this form as a checklist, to ensure that you have included every necessary item in your lab report.





























1. Title and authors
  • Title (what was studied? Acting on what?)
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  • Names (author, group and instructor)
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  • Class code, date
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    2. Introduction

  • Nature of the problem
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  • Research question posed
  • Relevent research within text references (minimum several paragraphs.   This also may require a few pages.)
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  • Manner of study (variables discussion: independent, dependent variables, control and constants)
  • Justification for approach used (why do you think your experiment will yield a valid result?) and predicted outcome
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    3. Hypothesis
  • IF...THEN framework
  • Concise, correct statements (one sentence)
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    4. Materials/Methods
  • Method written in third person, past tense. (describe what you did.   Do not ever use the words such as I, we, you or our.)
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  • Method designed with appropriate materials and apparatus
  • Method designed for the control of independent and dependent variables
  • Method designed for the collection of raw data, including mention of repeat trials.
  • Lab safety precautions? Problems?
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    5. Results/observations
  • Raw data is collected and recorded in an appropriate manner.
  • Raw data is presented in an appropriate manner  
  • Tables, charts, graphs are numbered with titles and include all labels and units.
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    6. Data Analysis
  • Transforming and manipulating raw data (ie: calculations with appropriate units, equations of graphed lines calculated and presented etc.).  

    Bar graphs and pie charts are normally not used in science.   Graphs must include "Line of Best Fit"; do NOT connect-the-dots on a line graph.

    NOTE: Senior IB students only must include error uncertainties (+/- ...) where ever possible.
  • Trends in data noted (absent/present/described)  Describe observed trends in words; a few sentences usually will suffice.
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    7. Evaluation
  • Evaluating / interpreting results and drawing conclusions.   (don't just describe results.)
  • Congruency with outside research, referenced.   In your explanation of your results, you must cite outside references which will support your explanation.
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  • Evaluate the procedure(s) and suggest modifications.   Include several paragraphs of discussion involving problems or good points of procedure you used.   Also propose modificiations to procedure as a suggestion to future experimenters.

    Error discussion goes in this section.   Include possible systematic and random errors, but not mistakes.   Error discussion should be several paragraphs, minimum, and could include mention of % error, if applicable.
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    8. Conclusion
  • The conclusion answers, in a concise manner, the hypothesis. (one or two sentences)
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    9. References Cited
  • Sources cited in text, correctly listed, sufficient #.   Use a variety of sources such as books, magazines, CD-ROM and reputable internet sites.   Sources which are all from the internet are not allowed.