Appendix 2
Laboratory Research Notebook Guidelines by M. Okuda, R. Wou, V. Vitug
A laboratory notebook is essentially a factual account of work performed in the laboratory; it may also include the writer's interpretation of the results. Most laboratory notebooks are bound, and their pages are quadrille (marked with a square grid of lines), this is the preferred notebook used in this class. However for the purposes of this class, a college ruled composition book is also acceptable.
General Guidelines for your laboratory notebook:
1. ONLY write in black or blue ink-pen.
2. Laboratory Research Notebooks must stay in the Lab at all times.
3. The project managers (PM) must initial then highlight all COMPLETED labs in the lab book next to the conclusion section of the lab so that the initial and date is written across the interface so that a portion of the initials/date are on the taped-in portion as well as the original notebook paper.
4. When making entries use both sides of the research notebook paper.
5. Do not tear out pages from the laboratory notebook and do not write down notes from class lectures, labs, or CSI cases in the laboratory notebook.
6. No stapled papers can be taped in the lab notebooks and only one sheet of pre-written lab can be taped per page in the lab notebook
7. Erasures or liquid paper should not be made in the laboratory notebook. When corrections are in order, draw a single line through the material to be deleted and write the correction neatly above or beside the deleted material. Although this procedure may detract somewhat from the neatness of the report, the completeness and accuracy of the report should receive first priority. Therefore, do not hesitate to make corrections in this manner. The procedure is quite permissible.
8. Each section of the notebook should have a clear, descriptive heading, and sufficiently legible to be read and understood by any knowledgeable individual. Some or all of the following items should be included:
- The experiment Title
- A clear, concise statement of what the experiment Purpose
- A list of the supplies, equipment needed for the experiment under Materials
- Paste or write your Procedures for the lab activity
9. During the experiment, you should keep a detailed account of your work, reporting everything of importance that you actually did and saw. Your notes should not simply restate the textbook procedure but should describe in your own words how you carried out the experiment. You should include all relevant data such as the quantities of materials that you actually used (not the theoretical quantities that you calculated, unless they are exactly the same) and the results of any analyses you performed. Raw data should be recorded with particular care; if you forget to record data at the time you measure it, or if you recorded in incorrectly or illegibly, the results of an entire experiment may be invalidated.
10. List all persons from whom samples or data were obtained, shared, or transferred.
11. Title and number each page of your lab notebook according to the lab topic.
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