The Laboratory Notebook

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The Laboratory Notebook

• A Record of Experimentation
• and Observation

Ref Porush, David. A Short Guide to Writing
About Science. HarperCollins, NY, 1995
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Communication Flow in Science
Problem Setting
Experiment
Observation
Lab Notebook
Lab report
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Written Communication

• Writing begins in the lab!

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What Is a Lab Notebook For?

• Serves as a record of experimentation and
  observation
• an eyewitness account recorded at the scene of
  the action
• carries legal weight (when properly kept)
• Can be an intellectual diary
• Serves as the basis of the formal report

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Parts of a Lab Notebook

• Clear identification of time, place and people
  directly involved in experiment
• Brief statement of the problem/purpose of the
  experiment
• Detailed descriptions of the apparatus
• Detailed instructions for setting up the
  apparatus
• more ..

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Parts of a Lab Notebook (cont.)

• Instructions for conducting the experiment
• Description of the method for collecting the data
• Complete records of data/other observations
• Description of method for analyzing data
• Brief analysis/interpretations of data
• Brief statement of conclusions

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Checklist for Style for Notebook

• Will other researchers be able to reconstruct the
  setup?
• Will other researchers be able to conduct the
  experiment?
• Will other researchers be able to understand the
  results?
• Will other researchers be able to understand the
  conclusions?
• .. more ..

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Checklist for Style (cont.)

• Have I numbered the pages of the notebook?
• Does every entry have a date (and time)?
• Is every entry signed?
• Have I eliminated blanks with diagonal lines?

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Guidelines for Recording Data

• Record everything in ink
• Enter all data directly into the notebook
• Record data in the order in which you made the
  observations, i.e., chronologically
• Make sure each data point has a number and a
  dimension or unit of measurement
• Record data with correct significant figures
• .more..

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Guidelines for Recording(cont)

• Make corrections and deletions by lining through
  words or figures with a single line in ink (no
  erasures!)
• Leave minimal blank space between entries
• Use diagonal lines to fill larger blank spaces
• Date and sign each page
• Have each page signed by a knowledgeable witness

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Steps in Interpreting Data

• Find generalities about the data by applying
  mathematical/statistical methods and matching to
  different hypotheses or theories
• Make qualitative judgments about the data
• Decide which competing explanation of the data
  makes more sense
• Note specific points of agreement or disagreement
  with hypothesis you were testing

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Lab Notebooks in MENG 4212

• Your lab notebook number will be your initials
  (3) and the last four digits of your student
  number (e.g., ABC1234)
• Use this number along with page number(s) when
  referencing lab data in lab reports
• Put your name, MENG 4212-XX, and lab notebook
  number on inside front cover
• (optional) include your address or telephone
  number in case you lose the notebook

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Lab Notebooks in MENG 4212

• Every experiment should be documented in the lab
  notebook with
• a brief statement of the objective(s) of the
  experiment
• a description of the apparatus and materials
• instructions for setting up the apparatus
• instructions for conducting the experiment
• the data taken

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Lab Notebooks in MENG 4212

• After collecting laboratory data, continue to use
  the notebook to
• describe method(s) for analyzing the data
• record all results of data analysis
• use appropriate significant figures
• give brief analyses/interpretations of data,
  including charts and graphs
• give brief statements of conclusions

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Lab Notebooks in MENG 4212

• All entries are to be made in ink
• Dont leave any pages blank
• use To Page No./From Page No. to indicate
  sequence of pages
• Record all data chronologically and directly in
  the notebook, not on scratch paper
• Make observations in the notebook during and
  after collecting data
• Have pages witnessed before leaving the lab, and
  journal pages witnessed periodically.

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Summary

• Lab notebooks serve as a record of
  experimentation and observation
• In this course, the lab notebooks will contain
• all information needed to conduct the experiment
  (entered before data collection)
• all data collected during the experiment
• all observations and analyses made during and
  after conducting the experiment

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End