Project Data Logbook
Uploaded by
sarah joy velascoProject Data Logbook
Uploaded by
sarah joy velasco1. Use ink: Make your lab notebook entries in pen, not in pencil.
If you
make a mistake in your lab notebook, simply cross out the error and
write in the necessary correction.
2. Number the pages: Numbering the pages of your lab notebook helps
keep your notebook organized. You can use these numbers to set up an
index or table of contents (see below) or to cross-reference earlier
observations within your lab notebook.
3. Date your entries: Always date your lab notebook entries, even if
your entry is very short. Your lab notebook will be a sequential record
of your project, so the dates are important.
4. No blank pages: Your lab notebook entries should be entered
consecutively, starting at the front of the notebook. When making
entries, do not skip pages. Scientists cross out unused sections of a
page so that nothing can be added later that might alter or confuse the
data originally recorded.
5. Be brief: Some entries in your lab notebook may require in-depth
notes but others will be short and concise. Full sentences are not
required! What is important is that you record enough information so
that you fully understand the notes you’ve made and so that the notes
contains all important or necessary details.
6. Keep it legible. Your lab notebook entries should be easy to read, but
do not worry if the entries are not perfectly neat or if you make a
mistake.
7. No loose papers. Be sure to secure loose papers in your lab notebook
with glue, tape, or staples. If there are digital materials you want to
include, you may find it helpful to print them at a reduced size and
then glue or tape them into the notebook.
8. Do not remove pages. If something is wrong on a page, or if you
discover an accidental blank page, simply put a large “x” through the
area or page, signaling that it should be ignored.
STRUCTURE
Your lab notebook should be used from the beginning of your project and
should reflect all phases of your project and all steps of
the scientific or engineering method.
1. Title Page: Include the title of your project or the question; your
name; your school; your grade (e.g. 9th); the names of your classroom
teacher & science teacher; the date. 3.
2. Table of Contents: List all sections of your notebook with page
numbers.
1. Investigative Question: State the scientific question you are
investigating.
2. Abstract: Give a 1-2 paragraph descriptive overview of your project.
Include the purpose, procedures and summary results of your
investigation.
3. Background Research: Include background information, definitions
and research you did during the course of your project.
4. Hypothesis: State your hypothesis about the proposed relationship
between the independent and dependent variables. State your reasons
for choosing your hypothesis.
5. Materials: List all your materials and the amount used of each.
6. Procedures: Write a complete, numbered, step-by-step description of
how you conducted your investigation.
7. Observations & Data: Try your experiment at least 5 times. Keep a
complete record of all data and observations. Organize the numerical
data into table(s). Include variables and units of measurement. If you
have recopied any data, place your original laboratory data in the back
of the project notebook (This includes all saved versions of work done
on the computer.) Include notes, photos, drawings, changes in the
variables, and/or unexpected responses.
8. Measurements: All measurements must use the metric system when
possible.
9. Results: Find averages of all measured data and final observations
(Not a conclusion.)
10. Graph of Results: Display your results on a graph. Graphs must
be student generated and appropriate for the type of data collected.
Computer graphs are acceptable. Include variables and units of
measurement on graphs.
11. Conclusion: Write the conclusion to your investigation. Restate
the investigative question. Was your hypothesis correct? Use results to
prove the conclusion. Include error analysis and what was learned.
12. Applications and Future Research: Explain how the
information you learned could be used in the real world. Describe how
you would change your investigation or extend your experiment in the
future.
13. Resources Cited: List all sources of information using the
proper format: e.g. Internet websites, encyclopedias, books, people
interviewed, magazines, etc.
14. Acknowledgments: Give credit to anyone who gave you any
special advice or help, such as typing the report, helping you find
information, assisting with building, or setting up or conducting your
experiment.
Science Fair Project: Log Book
By Janice VanCleave
Keep a Project Journal–A Log Book
The first step in starting a science fair project is to create a science journal,
which is a written record showing all your work from start to the finish. Take
pictures during each step of the project. A science fair project is for learning
more about science and you learn more if you enjoy your work. So in addition
to the photographs that can be used on your display to show your scientific
work, you might add some fun photographs to your journal. Photographs of
all helpers will make it easy for you to remember who assisted you so you
can acknowledge them in your report.
Tips for Construction a Log Book
1. Use a binder so that more pages can be added or that the pages can be
rearranged.
2. Use labeled tabs to organize and separate the different sections.
(Suggestions for sections are below).
3.Date all entries and organize in order by date.
4.Include all research information.
5. Include all project experimental observations in order by date, and include
time if appropriate.
6. Record your thoughts and questions during the entire study. Remember
that this is your science diary.
7. Make the journal as neat, organized, and user-friendly as possible. But
don’t rewrite any of the entries on a new page to make them look neater. If
you do this, you might accidentally add or delete information. If you make a
mistake, mark through it. Stains on the pages don’t matter.
8. Number each page after completing the journal.
9. Place a title page in the front of the journal. Check the fair rules about the
information that can be included.
10. Prepare a table of contents listing the page number of each section.
Sections for your Log Book:
1. Project rules and regulations. This section contains all the printed
information related to the project, including rules and deadlines for each step
of the project.
2. Planning schedule. This can be a list of all the project steps, including
organizing the journal and the dates when you plan to have them completed.
It should also include the date the project is due. When planning your
schedule, be sure your starting date gives you enough time to be finished
before the due date. The calendar might include the following steps and
deadlines:
Steps Deadline Date
1. Set up journal
2. Project topic selected
3. Project research completed
4. Project problem/question decided
5. Project Hypothesis stated
6. Project experiment designed
7. Project experiment completed and data recorded
8. Data Analyzed and Conclusion written
9. Project report completed
10. Project display completed
11. Project due
The remaining sections in the journal are steps in the order needed to design
and develop your own project.
1. Topic. This section should include the categories and topics you are
interested in. You might make a list of these, then narrow down the topic list
to one specific topic. Include information about all the resources you used-
magazines, books, online sources, etc.
2. Project research. This is research to help you understand the project
topic. It will be helpful in expressing the project problem, proposing your
hypothesis, and designing your project experiment. Include information
about all the resources that you used, magazines, books, and so on. This
information will be needed for the bibliography in your project report.
3.Project question Record all your ideas. Include all your revisions and the
final Question Stated.
4. Project hypothesis Record all your hypothesis ideas with final
Hypothesis stated.
5. Project experiment. This experiment is to answer the project question
and test your hypothesis. Record the materials used as well as the procedure
steps. Do record all changes.
6. Project data. This section includes all the data collected from
experimental observations. It is important to date your entries. Include a
time if it is needed. This information can be recorded in tables, diagrams,
graphs, written descriptions, etc. It is very important to record detailed
descriptions of your observations.
7. Data Analysis/Conclusion. This is your analysis of the experimental
data. This means that you study the data graphs and charts and determine
what what they mean. Use the data to answer the project question.
Determine if the data supports your hypothesis. Remember that your data
does not necessarily prove or disprove your hypothesis. Instead, it either
does or doesn’t support your hypothesis. This section should contain all your
ideas for the completed conclusion as well as your final copy.
8. Project Report. Include all your ideas for developing the report as well
as well as your final copy.
9. Project Display. Keep all written plans and drawings about the display in
this section. You may wish to include a series of pictures showing the
development of the display.
10. Judging. Written copies of any oral presentations should be kept in this
section. Also include information about rules for presentations, such as
length of time, as well as information about how the projects will be judged.