Lab Notebook Instructions A. Lab Notebook (ISBN: 978­1­930882­74­4) ­ completed as an individual General Guidelines
1. Make sure to fill-in the ​
Table of Contents ​
at the front of your Lab Notebook
2. Always use ​
BLUE​
or ​
BLACK​
pen when writing in your Lab Notebook
3. Make sure the flap is under the “copy” so you only write on one page
4. NEVER​
tear out a white “master” copy from your Lab Notebook, even if you make a mistake
5. For each lab complete the following:
a. Exp. Number = investigation number (sequential)
b. Experiment/Subject = lab title
c. Date = date of experiment
d. Name = your name
e. Lab Partner = lab partner’s name
f. Locker/Desk No. = lab table
g. Course & Section No. = class period
h. Signature & Date = you do this before turning it in
i. Witness/TA & Date = mine ​
AFTER​
you clean up
6. Only turn in the “copy” to me, stapled in ​
upper left​
corner.
Specific Guidelines: can be found on your Lab Map
1. Question/Purpose: ​
I will give this to you for each lab.
2. Background:​
provide context for the question, why are we doing this experiment, big idea we
are investigating, answers to pre-lab questions
3. Hypothesis:​
written as an “if, then, because” statement
a. Variables: ​
identify the independent and dependent variable of your experiment
b.
Constants​
: identify factors that do not change
4. Flowchart of Procedures:​
visual/graphic representation of lab procedures
5. Data Table:​
use a ruler, title
6. Graph(s):​
use a ruler, title, label axes, legend (when appropriate), logical intervals
7. Analysis:​
complete sentences that highlight data from your graph(s), error and how it may
have affected your data
8. Conclusion:​
“Our data supports/does not support my hypothesis because (generalize data
that supports conclusion)”, use background info to support findings
a.
Ex. Our data supports my hypothesis that worms dig more tunnels in the light
because the average length of tunnels was greater than the average length of tunnels
for worms in the dark. Worms use light to direct the creation of their tunnels.
Helpful Tips for Foundations of Science Student Lab Notebooks We will use in our class: ​
Hayden-McNeil
Student Lab Notebook​
ISBN 978-1-930882-74-4
When and what to write in your notebook: ● It all counts!​
Your lab notebook is like a science diary. Write down ​
all​
of your hypotheses,
questions to look up later, and background research. As you are working, write down all
your experimental observations or thoughts, no matter how small or insignificant they may
seem to you at the time. I will indicate which pre-lab questions I would like answered in the
lab notebook before the start of the lab. The little detail you don't record might be exactly
what you need to know later!
● Never leave home without it.​
Always have your notebook with you when doing your
experiments. I will regularly put my initials in your lab book as you are performing the
lab/recording data and they will be required for full credit.
● Start fresh.​
Open your notebook to a blank page before you start experimenting during each
new lab session. You do not want to start an experiment and then have to stop because you
have nowhere to record data. Keep your table of contents current.
● Only in the notebook!​
Don't be tempted to record data anywhere else but in your lab
notebook. Scraps of paper can be lost along with important data. Record data right away in
your lab notebook. Don't rely on your memory because you can forget what happened when
you performed the experiment.
● Keep it neat! ​
Be sure to write legibly and in an appropriate size so that others can easily
read, understand, and repeat your work.
● A picture can be worth a 1000 words (and points as well).​
Draw pictures of your
experimental set-up, experimental results, and so on in your notebook. You can also take
photographs and paste them in your notebook.
● Include the extras.​
You can add printouts and other documentation. Just remember to tape
or glue in the material in the proper chronological location. ​
Tip:​
Add notes describing the
attached data so it is clear later "why" you've included the material.
● Get your signatures!​
Fill out all the pertinent information (boxes) in your lab notebook.
● Be thorough.​
Include enough information about what you are doing so that you, or someone
else, could reproduce your procedure.
● Add it up.​
Whether you are figuring out how much of a reagent to add or analyzing your
data, make sure to do all your math calculations in your lab notebook. This way if something
goes wrong later, you can go back and double check to see if you made a simple arithmetic
error. Label what the calculation was for.
● Don't jump around.​
If you need to skip pages between entries for a project, add notes
saying where the next entry can be found and where the previous entry occurs.
● Track edits.​
If you need to go back to a page to change or correct something, use a different
colored ink and ​
initial and date the changes​
.
● Keep the originals ~ turn in “copy” to me.​
You will always have your original data; I will
evaluate the “copy”. You will need your original to write up the labs that require a “formal”
report.
Modified from “Science Buddies” website authored by Amy Cowen
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/2010/01/lab-notebooks.php