Pendulum Lab Report

Question
Write the testable question that your group investigated. Your question should
include the independent and dependent variable in the investigation. Remember
that questions end with a ?.
Knowledge Probe
Include a summary of your prior knowledge about pendulums and what you learned
during the in-class instruction. This summary should be no more than one
paragraph.
Prediction
Hypothesis: Write a hypothesis using an If ______, Then _______ statement. Be sure
the hypothesis includes how the independent variable will impact the dependent
variable.
Reasoning: Explain the reason for your prediction using prior knowledge and
information gathered during in-class instruction.
Investigation Plan
Variables

Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Variables to be controlled:

Materials List:

Material
Material
Tool
Etc.

Procedure
1. Should be a numbered list of detailed steps.
2. Be sure to include information about the data to be collected (what, how, how
much?).
3. Also include descriptions of controlled variables.
Observation
Qualitative Observations: Can be words, sketches, photographs, videos, etc.
Quantitative Observations: Must be organized in a data table.
Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Trial 5

Data Analysis
Be sure to follow the steps in your Data Analysis handout. This section of your lab
report must include your statistical analysis data table, graph or graphs AND
answers to the data analysis questions.

Statistical Analysis Data Table: Make a table that includes your statistical
analysis. You may use mean, median, mode or range. Be sure to make the right
choice for your data. You may include more than one statistical measure in this
section.
Statistical
Measure

Graph/Graphs: Construct a graph appropriate for your data and insert it here.
Make sure you include labels and units.

Data Analysis Questions: Answer each of the following questions using complete
sentences.

1. Did you have any questionable data? Did you decide to include it in your graph and
statistical calculations? Why or Why not?
2. What statistical measure (mean, median, mode, range) did you decide to use and
why? OR If you did not use a statistical measure, explain why.
3. What patterns/trends/relationships are evident in your data?
4. What is my interpretation of these patterns/trends/relationships? (Explain them, what
do they mean?)

Explanation
Claim: Tell the answer to the question that was investigated.
Evidence: Explain how the data supports your claim.
Reasoning: Defend your claim by making an argument that justifies why the
evidence supports the claim. Use scientific concepts, principles or theories in your
reasoning. Also be sure to include why the investigation was a fair test as well as
why alternate explanations are not as sound.
Evaluation
Write several paragraphs that address the question: How well did I do? These
paragraphs should include answers to the following questions:

What are the sources of error? What impact may they have had on the
experiment?
What would you do differently?
How confident are you in your results? (see confidence chart)

Habits of Mind
How did you exhibit the following habits during this lab? Give specific examples and
explain how it shows each habit of mind using several sentences for each habit.
Informed Skepticism
Self-Direction
Critical Thinking