Blog: Lab Assignment Basics

Page Index:

1. Lab Assignment Upload Basics
2. Report Form, Data Recording, and Postlab Question Basics
3. Student Q&A

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Lab work is reported in the form of Blackboard Assignments. An Assignment is typically composed of a single PDF file, although a few experiments require that two files be uploaded.

I. Lab Assignment Upload Basics

1. A lab Assignment is essentially an upload of one or more PDF documents in Blackboard.
2. The first document is always referred to as the "Report," The Report is composed of two sections from a lab manual experiment: the Report Form, and the PostLab Questions.

Report  =  Lab Manual Report Form + Lab Manual Postlab Questions

3. Sections NOT to upload:   The Report Form and the Postlab Questions are typically the last two sections found in a lab manual experiment. Other sections of an experiment should not be included in the Report. to wit, the front matter (i.e., Objective, Overview, Key Concepts, Background, Safety, Materials, Procedure sections) should not be included in your upload.
4. Multi-file Upload Labs:   Some lab Assignments require two files be uploaded. When required, the second document is typically a graph or chart of some sort of supporting data.
5. Lab assignments must be uploaded directly into Blackboard.
   This places the lab assignment into your digital Bb folder. For this reason, lab assignments are not accepted by email, nor any mechanism other than a Blackboard assignment upload.
6. Correct Filename Required: The assignment must be named <em>exactly</em> according to the Filename Checklist. You may not make up your own name for the file.
   (optional: The file may or may not carry the .pdf extension, which is often determined by the software used fo produce the pdf flle.)
7. Prior to upload, the file must be scanned, according to stringent scanning specifications
8. Late assignments are not accepted. Typically, after the due date & time is surpassed, the assignment will disappear from Blackboard. Bb assigns a score of zero to missed assignments.

II. Report Form, Data Recording, and PostLab Question Basics

1. The pages (forms) provided in the digital lab manual must be used.
   
• Required 'soft skill': Working with original typeset PDF forms is a 'soft' skill of this course, and an essential skill needed in any STEM career.
• Merely handwriting responses (data, comments, answers)) on a sheet of paper separate from the lab manual form is not acceptable. Any and all handwritten responses must be on the typeset lab manual form.
• Re-writing the entire form in handwriting, rather than using the original typeset lab manual form, is not acceptable. The typeset lab manual form.
• One may not merely upload a blank form, and then upload answers as and addendum — answer must be written within the provided spaces on the original typeset lab manual form.
2. Data measurements and calculations may be entered onto the pages (forms) via handwriting or typing, depending on your level of sophistication and equipment available. The two most commonly employed strategies are:
   • PRINT AND SCAN: Print hard copy of the lab pages (Report Form & Postlab Questions) → hand write or type data, calculations, and answers onto pages → image and scan completed pages → save as PDF → upload the PDF
   • DIGITAL ENTRY:Using a tablet, open the lab pages (Report Form & Postlab Questions) → digitialy enter data, calculations, and answers using a stylus or keyboard → save the required pages as a PDF → upload the PDF
3. All measurements should be reported to the correct number of sig figs. sig figs in measurements
4. Where boxes are provided on the Report Form, calculations must be shown in detail.
   The level of detail required is such the the number of sig figs resulting from the calculation can be determined by inspecting the work in the boxes.
   Typically, the Report Form tags items which require detailed calculations with a superscript dagger: †
5. All calculations should be reported to the correct number of sig figs. sig figs in calculations
6. Postlab Questions should be answered in technical terms, citing data where applicable. Generic answers will not receive full credit, if any.
7. Postlab Questions for which the answers  require "justification" or "explanation" should, in words, get to the essence of 'why' the phenomenon under consideration occurred. Do not merely describe what happened; rather, explain why it happened. A reader should be able to follow your logic, and from you explanation understand how you drew to your conclusion.

III. Student Q&A

In on particular order, below are emails or F2F questions I have received from students, the answers to which might offer insights to others. Or, maybe you just have an interest in what others are asking. Here is a select few Q&A's.

Disclaimer: Bracket remarks are mine. Some alterations might be made for clarity purposes.