The Report Check applet allows students to check their lab reports for errors in calculations and significant figures. Features of Report Check include:

• Customizable for different labs
• Instructors can determine the layout and what gets checked
• Handles data tables
• Plots data and does linear fitting
• Printable by browsers that support applet printing
• Can be configured to email a text version of the report to the student, teaching assistants, or instructors

The sample below illustrates a report for the spectrophotometric determination of the amount of iron in a 100. ml sample. The controls for the applet are accessed through a POP-UP MENU. CLICK ANYWHERE ON THE APPLET, except on a text entry field to get the pop-up menu.

The pop-up menu has these options:

1. Demo Data: This option has the applet supply data for this demonstration. In normal use, each student would enter the data and calculations manually.
2. Plot Data: This option plots the data in the table. View the coordinates of any point by clicking on the plot.
3. Fit Data: This option plots a linear least-squares fit. For a manual fit, move the line around by clicking and dragging.
4. Check Entries: This option checks calculations and data entries. Change some entries in the calculations to simulate incorrect values. Press Check Entries again. Incorrect calculations are marked with "?". Entries that have an incorrect number of significant figures are marked with "s.f." Data can be checked for significant figures also.
5. Clear Data: Removes all data.
6. Clear Check: Removes check marks, question marks, and significant figure alerts.
7. Cancel: Cancel pop-up menu.