How to Make a Scientific Notebook

A scientific notebook stores your research in one convenient place.

Making a scientific notebook is often a required part of science classes from elementary school all the way through college. Scientific notebooks are also used in the professional world. These notebooks are useful for keeping track of research and laboratory results. They can easily be taken with you wherever you go for review. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when making a scientific notebook.

Things You'll Need

• Composition notebook
• Ink pen

Instructions

1. Get a standard-sized composition notebook with a hard cover and lined white pages. In the space provided on the notebook cover, write your name, email address and phone number. Take the time to number all the pages, normally on the lower outer corner of each page.

2. Write and record data into your scientific notebook using an ink pen as you work. Make all data entry readable but make sure to not sacrifice complete data for neatness. Do not white-out mistakes or change the data. When mistakes happen, cross them out. Include a note that explains the change or mistake. Have anyone present during the work sign and date the bottom of the entry. Cross out any empty lines to prevent further entries.

3. Make sure every entry is noted with the date and time. A correct scientific notebook can protect you legally because it outlines when activities are completed. When applying for a U.S. patent, you must show when you conceived the idea, what you did to make the idea work, and when the idea was tested and successful. U.S. patents are not awarded for when the patent application was filed, but when the end result is a success.

4. Create a table of contents on the inside cover. This will keep everything organized. Create sections in your scientific notebook with chapters like "Purpose," "Notes and Reflections," "Research," and "Experimental Setup." The name of the chapter should succinctly reflect its content.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all of scientific notebooks in a common place for reference later.

References

• ScienceTeacherProgram.org: Keeping a Laboratory Notebook
• SNCO.com: Suggestions for keeping a laboratory notebook