Calculation errors in lab - can I fix those for the report or is this academic misconduct?

[Robert Zellmer]

I've been asked whether one can fix *calculation *errors made
in the lab and recorded in the notebook.

Yes.  For mistakes in *calculated **numbers *which are in the
notebook you *can correct *those for the report.  This is not
academic misconduct.

*Any data or observations made in the lab and notebook can **
**NOT be changed*.  Even if you know you used a pipet which
measures volumes to 2 decimal places, if you forget those
decimal places in the notebook you can not change it for the
report.  You can't even simply add zeros to the end of the number
to get the correct s.f.  This is considered academic misconduct.

The same applies if you recorded too many s.f. in the lab.  You
can't remove them for the report.  You'll need to discuss the error.
An example is if someone recorded a volume for the beaker in
exp 1 of 20.1 mL.  The beaker volume is only out to the units
place, not the first decimal place.  The 0.1 part doesn't make sense.
However, you'll have to report 20.1 mL and then explain it's wrong.

What if you forget to record a value in lab and need it for the
report?  Do *NOT* make it up or get a value from a fellow student.
That is academic misconduct.  Contact me and I'll decide what
you need to do.

What if you forgot to write your unknown in your notebook and
then don't have it for data-entry?  Contact your TA.  Do *NOT*
make one up.  That can be considered academic misconduct.

Also, a reminder.  You MUST record ALL measurements and
observations made in lab DIRECTLY in the notebook.  If they
are written anywhere else the TAs will deduct points from the
notebook.  Technically, we can tell you to redo them.  A few
people for exp 1  recorded numbers elsewhere and wrote
them in the notebook later.  That is not allowed.

Finally, data taken in the lab should be recorded as taken.  For
example for exp 1 you should have recorded the total mass of
the beaker and water in your notebook.  The mass of the water
is actually a calculated value.

Dr. Zellmer
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.osu.edu/pipermail/cbc-chem1250/attachments/20200207/15f33466/attachment.html>