1. INTRODUCTION
Each student should keep a record of her/his practical work. Legibility, spelling, correct use of symbols, neatness, and clarity of presentation should be emphasised.
A table of contents of all activities recorded should be placed at the beginning of the notebook or folder. Diagrams should be drawn with an HB pencil.
2. TITLE AND DATE
The purpose of the activity should be stated clearly.
3. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE
A concise report in the student's own words including, where appropriate:
- A clearly labelled diagram of assembled apparatus
- The safety procedures undertaken
- Step by step description of the procedure
- Reference to essential adjustments to apparatus
- Details of outcomes noted, including measurements taken, colour changes observed etc.
4. DATA PRESENTATION
All measurements, with the appropriate units, should be recorded and presented in an orderly sequence and tabulated where appropriate.
Reference to a control should be stated when used.
5. DIAGRAMS, CALCULATIONS AND GRAPHS
Diagrams are worth a thousand words if clear, precise, well drawn and accurately labelled. Students should be encouraged to draw diagrams as frequently as possible during their course of study and during their practical activities.
The main steps in any calculation should be recorded with appropriate units so that the process can be easily followed to a final conclusion. Rough work need not be shown.
Graphs should be used (i) to illustrate the relationship between parameters and (ii) in the calculation of results. Suitable scales should be used when drawing graphs and graph axes should be labelled. Points should be plotted and circled clearly and curves drawn properly.
6. RESULTS, OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
Results from activities should be presented in a clear, methodical way.
Mathematical results should be expressed in a standard manner with correct use of units.
It is desirable to comment on the results obtained in an activity.
There should be an appreciation of the possible errors inherent in an activity and of the precautions that can be taken to reduce such errors.
Cross-referencing with other groups should be recorded, where appropriate, and conclusions drawn.
7. APPLICATION
Suggest any other application(s) of what was learnt in the activity.