Need help with three to five page paper and final.

You are required to develop a rough draft for your Final Lab Report, which covers the drinking water quality experiment from the Week Two Lab assignment “Lab 2: Water Quality and Contamination.” Please use the Week Three Assignment Template for preparing your rough draft to insure that you include all required components in a well-organized manner.  Before completing this Template, view the Tutorial on the Rough Draft of the Final Lab Report Template so that you have a clear picture on how to use the template most effectively.  This rough draft must also be reviewed using the Grammarly (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. tool from the Writing Center to help you identify and correct any mistakes to your rough draft. Be sure to submit a screen shot of the Grammarly report and the corrected rough draft to the Week Three Assignment box.  This resource will show you how to take a screen shot on your computer and upload it to Waypoint successfully.

For a written transcript, click here.

Complete the following steps to submit both reports:

1. Carefully read the instructions for your Final Lab Report assignment located within Week Five of the course..

2. Download the Rough Draft of the Final Lab Report Template and utilize this form to ensure correct formatting and inclusion of all required material.

3. View the Tutorial on the Rough Draft of the Final Lab Report Template so that you can apply the template with success. 

4. Use at least two scholarly sources, two credible sources, and your lab manual to support your points.

5. The rough draft must be three to five pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

6. Use the Grammarly tool to proofread your paper before submitting it for grading. Grammarly is a free proofreading program available to all Ashford students.  

   1. To learn how to set up and use Grammarly, watch the Grammarly tutorial (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

   2. Upload your paper to Grammarly and take a screen shot of your reviewed paper. Need help taking a screen shot? See this handout. 

   3. Save the Grammarly screenshot to your computer and submit it along with your assignment. This means that you will submit two documents to Waypoint: the Grammarly screen shot and your corrected rough draft.

Note: Need help using Grammarly? Email the Writing Center at [email protected]. 

Note: Please do not use www.grammarly.com to sign up as you will get limited feedback. Ashford University pays for additional fabulous Grammarly services so you don’t have to. If you encounter any problems or technical issues, please contact: [email protected]

The Rough Draft of the Final Lab Report must contain the following seven sections in this order:

1. Title Page - This page must include the title of your report, your name, course name, instructor, and date submitted.

2. Introduction - This section should discuss why the experiment was conducted. At a minimum, it should contain three paragraphs. One paragraph must cover background information of similar studies that have already been done in the area. This is accomplished by citing existing literature from similar experiments and explaining their results. A second paragraph should discuss an objective or a reason why the experiment is being done. Why do we want to know the answer to the question we are asking? A third paragraph should provide a hypothesis for the experiment conducted, along with your rationale behind that hypothesis.

3. Materials and Methods - This section should provide a detailed description of the materials used in your experiment and how they were used. A step-by-step rundown of your experiment is necessary; however, it should be done in paragraph form, not in a list format. The description should be exact enough to allow for someone reading the report to replicate the experiment, but it should be in your own words and not simply copied and pasted from the lab manual.

4. Results - This section should include the data and observations from the experiment. All tables and graphs should be present in this section. Additionally, there should be at least one paragraph explaining the data in paragraph form. There should be no personal opinions or discussion beyond the results of your experiments located within this section.

5. Discussion - This section should interpret or explain the meaning of your data and provide conclusions. At least three paragraphs should be outlined here. First, a paragraph should be present that addresses whether your hypothesis was confirmed or denied and how you know this. Second, you are to discuss the meaning of your findings in this area utilizing scholarly sources to put the paper into context. For example, how do your results compare with the findings of similar studies? Also, you should discuss if there are any outside factors (i.e., temperature, contaminants, time of day) that affected your results. If so, how could you control for these in the future?  Finally, you should discuss any future questions arising from your results and how you might test them with new experiments.

6. Conclusions - This section should provide a brief summary of your work.  What are the key take-away points from your study?

7. References - Provide a list of at least two scholarly sources, two credible sources, and your lab manual that will be used in the Final Lab Report. Format your references according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Wk 5

Final Lab Report

You are required to write a complete laboratory report that covers the drinking water quality experiment from “Lab 2: Water Quality and Contamination,” using knowledge gained throughout the course. Use the instructor feedback on your Rough Draft from Week Three to guide your writing. Be sure to download the Final Lab Report Template and utilize this form (not the Rough Draft template) to ensure proper formatting and inclusion of all required material. Additionally, view the Sample Final Lab Report before beginning this assignment, which will illustrate what a Final Lab Report should look like. You must use at least two scholarly sources, two other highly credible sources, and your lab manual to support your points. The report must be six to ten pages in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, located within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar, in your online course.

The Final Lab Report must contain the following eight sections in this order:

1. Title Page - This page must include the title of your report, your name, course name, instructor, and date submitted.

2. Abstract - This section should provide a brief summary of the methods, results, and conclusions. It should allow the reader to see what was done, how it was done, and the results. It should not exceed 200 words and should be the last part written (although it should still appear right after the title page).

3. Introduction - This section should include background information on water quality and an overview of why the experiment was conducted. It should first contain background information of similar studies previously conducted. This is accomplished by citing existing literature from similar experiments. Secondly, it should provide an objective or a reason why the experiment is being done. Why do we want to know the answer to the question we are asking? Finally, it should end the hypothesis from your Week Two experiment, and the reasoning behind your hypothesis. This hypothesis should not be adjusted to reflect the “right” answer. Simply place your previous hypothesis in the report here. You do not lose points for an inaccurate hypothesis; scientists often revise their hypotheses based on scientific evidence following the experiments.

4. Materials and Methods - This section should provide a detailed description of the materials used in your experiment and how they were used. A step-by-step rundown of your experiment is necessary; however, it should be done in paragraph form, not in a list format. The description should be exact enough to allow for someone reading the report to replicate the experiment, however, it should be in your own words and not simply copied and pasted from the lab manual.

5. Results - This section should include the data and observations from the experiment. All tables and graphs should be present in this section. In addition to the tables, you must describe the data in text; however, there should be no personal opinions or discussion outside of the results located within this area. 

6. Discussion - This section should interpret your data and provide conclusions. Discuss the meanings of your findings in this area. Was your hypothesis accepted or rejected, and how were you able to determine this? Did the results generate any future questions that might benefit from a new experiment? Were there any outside factors (i.e., temperature, contaminants, time of day) that affected your results? If so, how could you control for these in the future?

7. Conclusions - This section should provide a brief summary of your work.

8. References - List references used in APA format as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

9. Description:

11. Total Possible Score: 24.00

12. Title Page

13. Total: 0.50

14. Distinguished - Provides a title page that includes the title of the report, course name, student’s name, instructor, and date submitted.

15. Proficient - Provides a title page that is missing one required component.

16. Basic - Provides a title page that is missing two required components.

17. Below Expectations - Provides a title page that is missing three or more required components.

18. Non-Performance - The title page is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

20. Abstract

21. Total: 1.20

22. Distinguished - Provides an abstract that accurately summarizes the methods, results, and conclusions of the Week Two Laboratory.

23. Proficient - Provides an abstract that summarizes the methods, results, and conclusions of the Week Two Laboratory. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

24. Basic - Provides an abstract that summarizes the methods, results, and conclusions of the Week Two Laboratory. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate, or extraneous information is present.

25. Below Expectations - Provides an abstract that summarizes the Week Two Laboratory; however, significant details of the methods, results, or conclusions are missing, and/or excessive information is present.

26. Non-Performance - The abstract is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

28. Introduction

29. Total: 3.40

30. Distinguished - Provides a thorough introduction that includes background on the topic, an objective of the study, and a hypothesis for the experiment with an explanation as to how the student arrived at that hypothesis. The introduction is at least three paragraphs long and fully supported with information from scholarly sources.

31. Proficient - Provides an introduction that includes background on the topic, an objective of the study, and a hypothesis for the experiment with an explanation as to how the student arrived at that hypothesis. The introduction is at least three paragraphs long and supported with information from scholarly sources. Minimal improvement is needed through additional detail, enhancement of source material, and/or rewording of the hypothesis.

32. Basic - Provides an introduction that includes background on the topic, an objective of the study, and a hypothesis for the experiment with an explanation as to how the student arrived at that hypothesis. The introduction is at least partially supported with information from scholarly sources. Moderate improvement is needed through additional detail, enhancement of source material, and/or rewording of the hypothesis.

33. Below Expectations - Provides an introduction, but it requires major revisions to background and source material, objectives, or hypothesis. One or more of the required components may be missing.

34. Non-Performance - The introduction is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

36. Materials and Methods

37. Total: 3.40

38. Distinguished - Provides a materials and methods section that thoroughly details in one’s own words how to repeat the experiment from the Week Two Laboratory.

39. Proficient - Provides a materials and methods section that thoroughly details in one’s own words how to repeat the experiment from the Week Two Laboratory. Minor details are missing, or some excessive information is present.

40. Basic - Provides a materials and methods section that details in one’s own words how to repeat the experiment from the Week Two Laboratory. Relevant details are missing, and/or excessive information is present, limiting the repeatability of the experiments.

41. Below Expectations - Provides a materials and methods section, but significant details are missing, greatly limiting the repeatability of the experiments, and/or steps are largely copied from the lab manual.

42. Non-Performance - The materials and methods section is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

44. Results

45. Total: 3.40

46. Distinguished - Provides a thorough results section that includes all of the tables utilized in the laboratory as well as at least one paragraph objectively describing the data.

47. Proficient - Provides a results section that includes all of the tables utilized in the laboratory as well as at least one paragraph objectively describing the data. Minor errors are present in the tables, or details are missing or slightly inaccurate in the description.

48. Basic - Provides a results section that includes all of the tables utilized in the laboratory as well as at least one paragraph describing the data. Relevant errors are present in the tables, details are missing and/or inaccurate in the description, and/or personal opinions are included.

49. Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a results section that includes tables utilized in the laboratory as well as a description of the data; however, significant errors or omissions are present in the tables, details are missing and inaccurate in the description, and personal opinions are included.

50. Non-Performance - The results section is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

52. Discussion

53. Total: 3.40

54. Distinguished - Provides a thorough discussion that addresses whether the hypothesis was accepted or rejected, the meaning of the findings, future studies generated from the results, outside factors impacting the results, and possible future experiments. The discussion is at least three paragraphs long and fully supported with information from scholarly sources.

55. Proficient - Provides a discussion that addresses whether the hypothesis was accepted or rejected, the meaning of the findings, future studies generated from the results, outside factors impacting the results, and possible future experiments. The discussion is at least three paragraphs long and supported with information from scholarly sources. Minimal improvement is needed through additional detail, enhancement of source material, or correction of minor inaccuracies.

56. Basic - Provides a discussion that addresses whether the hypothesis was accepted or rejected, the meaning of the findings, future studies generated from the results, outside factors impacting the results, and possible future experiments. The discussion is at least partially supported with information from scholarly sources. Moderate improvement is needed through additional detail, enhancement of source material, and/or correction of inaccuracies.

57. Below Expectations - Provides a discussion, but it requires major revisions to the content and source material and correction of significant inaccuracies. One or more of the required components may be missing.

58. Non-Performance - The discussion section is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

60. Conclusion

61. Total: 1.20

62. Distinguished - Provides a conclusion that thoroughly and accurately summarizes the experiment and reiterates key findings.

63. Proficient - Provides a conclusion that summarizes the experiment and reiterates key findings. Minimal improvement is needed to accurately summarize the experiments.

64. Basic - Provides a conclusion that summarizes the experiment and reiterates key findings. Moderate improvement is needed to accurately summarize the experiments.

65. Below Expectations - Provides a conclusion that summarizes the experiment, but may not reiterate key findings. Significant improvement is needed to accurately summarize the experiments.

66. Non-Performance - The conclusion is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

68. Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics

69. Total: 2.00

70. Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

71. Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

72. Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

73. Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

74. Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

76. Resource Requirement

77. Total: 3.50

78. Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

79. Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

80. Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

81. Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

82. Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

84. APA Formatting

85. Total: 1.00

86. Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

87. Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

88. Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

89. Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

90. Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

92. Page Requirement

93. Total: 1.00

94. Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

95. Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

96. Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

97. Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

98. Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.