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Lab Rules
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Report

The group leader should arrange for the group to meet as soon as possible after completing the experimental work. At this meeting the group should decide how to analyze the data, make sure everyone agrees about the methods to be used, and set responsibilities for getting the analysis done. This should include uncertainty analysis on each computed quantity.

After sufficient time, the group should again meet. Before this time all the "data work-up" should have been completed, and this meeting should be used to discuss the results. Each result should be considered to see whether it is consistent (within experimental uncertainty) with prior expectation (theory or correlations) or whether it deviates from that expectation. In the latter case rational explanations for the observed difference should be formulated. The group should also identify the major sources of uncertainty in the results. If the uncertainty is unacceptably high, the group should brainstorm on recommendations to eliminate or reduce the uncertainty. The group should decide upon its recommendations.

The group leader should then prepare an oral presentation following the guidelines offered in the link to the left. The group leader may wish to have another group meeting where a trial run of the presentation is made and group members offer suggestions. The group should meet very soon after the presentation to discuss any additional work that needs to be done on the basis of comments made at the oral presentation. Responsibility for this work and for preparation of the final written report should be assigned at this meeting. The group leader should take final responsibility for making sure the written report is consistent in style, and should submit the report on or before its due date. Ten percent of the total points will be deducted for each day the written report is late. The group leader and the group members should print out their respective evaluation forms and turn them in by the due date for the report.

Follow the links at the left for information on the expected format for oral and written reports.