) before the end of Week 2 to be rescheduled into an appropriate section.
* In lab, you will work in groups of three students.
* Your group will record observations, data, photos, and calculations in an electronic **lab notebook**. This notebook will be useful in discussions with your TA and for drawing conclusions at the end of project, but it is a **working document** that is not expected to be //perfect, polished// or even //correct//.
* You will submit a copy of this notebook via Canvas before the end of the lab period. Your TA will grade the notebook for completeness only; you will not be graded on data, conclusions, notes, or anything else related to "correctness".
* Once the experiment is over, you will turn in a short individual **post-lab assignment** that is specific to that experiment. The assignment may ask you to provide a **summary of the experiment** (only the most important information), to answer specific questions about the experiment (or related work), or to draw conclusions about your work.
* This assignment will be graded on quality and correctness. (Not on the correctness of your results/answers, but on the correctness of your reasoning and conclusions.)
* Each lab will outline what you should include, and you should talk to your TA if you have questions (especially in the first few labs as you are just getting started).
* **Points** will be assigned for different parts of the project based on participation, your group notebook, and the quality of your submitted post-lab assignment.
==== Grading ====
The rubric for the every project this quarter is identical and is shown below. Your work in-lab (e.g. your completed lab notebook and participation in group meetings) is worth **4 points** and your out-of-lab report (e.g. answers to questions and/or summary and conclusions) is worth **4 points**.
| | Complete (2 points) | Needs improvement (1 point) | Not acceptable (0 points) |
| Lab Notebook (//Group//) | Submits a lab notebook at the end of the meeting that shows reasonably complete notes and data for all the tasks assigned for that session. | Submits a partial lab notebook with important details missing, or submits a notebook that lacks care and is rushed. | Does not submit a lab notebook, submits a lab notebook that is missing significant sections, or submits a lab notebook after the meeting has ended. |
| Participation (//Individual//) | Comes to the lab on-time and prepared, and stays until the group is completely finished. \\ \\ Is an active participant in the experiment, but also shares responsibilities and makes sure that all partners get a chance to contribute as well. \\ \\ Answers TA and group questions, and participates in a meaningful way during discussions. | Either arrives late or leaves early, or otherwise comes to lab unprepared. \\ \\ Is either reluctant to participate in the experiment or overly dominant in a way that makes it difficult for partners to participate. \\ \\ Is unable to answer TA and group questions, or does not participate in discussions. | Misses most or all the session, or is "not present" (i.e. doing something else) during the period. \\ \\ Is disruptive or disrespectful to the group or to partners, or has an attitude that makes it difficult for the class or group to make progress. |
| | Complete (4 points) | Needs improvement (2 points) | Not acceptable (0 points) |
| Report (//Individual//) | Answers questions thoughtfully and completely. \\ \\ Clearly presents important data in tables and graphs, and appropriately labels and describes these data (including units and use of appropriate significant figures). \\ \\ Includes correct units and appropriate number of significant figures on all calculated values. \\ \\ Makes conclusions that are complete, and clearly supported by the data. Compares data to models or predictions (where appropriate) and include uncertainties in that discussion (if applicable). | Attempts questions, but does not support answers fully or correctly. \\ \\ Does not present data appropriately, does not include units on values, or does not keep appropriate significant figures. \\ \\ Is unclear or makes major mistakes in reporting or summarizing work. \\ \\ Makes conclusions which are mostly correct, but which miss minor points. \\ \\ Does not use data as effectively as possible to support conclusions. | Does not answer meaningfully. \\ \\ Presents no data or plots (where appropriate), or presents data in a confusing manner. \\ \\ Provides incorrect units or makes fundamental flaws in calculations that render the answer meaningless. \\ \\ Makes conclusions that are directly contradicted by the data, overstates conclusions beyond what the data support, or is unclear in how conclusions are derived. \\ \\ Uses unsupported speculation to explain discrepancies in their data rather than well-reasoned arguments. |
**Guidance for writing your summary and conclusions**
After your experiment has finished, you will need to write up your summary and your conclusions. This should be a separate document, and it should be done //individually// (though you may talk your group members or ask questions). Include any data tables, plots, etc. from the your lab notebook as necessary in order to show how your data support your conclusions.
The **summary** is just a retelling of the facts. What were the important things you did? How did you make measurements? What changed as you worked through the project? What are the take-away results?
The **conclusion** is your interpretation and discussion of your data. What do your data tell you? How do you data match the model (or models) you were comparing against, or to your expectations in general? (Sometimes this means using the
$t^{\prime}$ test, but other times it means making qualitative comparisons.) Were you able to estimate uncertainties well, or do you see room to make changes or improvements in the technique? Do your results lead to new questions? Can you think of other ways to extend or improve the experiment?
Each of these above sections does not need to be long; **one or two paragraphs for the summary and another one or two paragraphs of conclusion should be sufficient.** What is important, however, is that your writing should be complete and meaningful. Address both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the experiment, and make sure you cover all the “take-away” topics in enough depth.
Don't include throw-away statements like “Looks good” or “Agrees pretty well.” Instead, try to be precise, state your facts clearly and honestly, and don't overreach or stretch your conclusions beyond what the data tell you.
====== Feedback ======
----
The instructional laboratory staff is always interested in feedback. Let us know if you find typos or mistakes, or let us know if you have comments about what you like or don't like about the lab experience.
**Do not use this form for the end-of-quarter TA feedback. Use the form linked on the experiment page of the last experiment of the quarter in your course.**
;#;
Please use our [[https://forms.gle/pNWPWpWZKUpiFgrd6|Online Feedback Form]] to leave anonymous (or non-anonymous) comments.
;#;