BIO 208 GENETICSrevised 2010

The Laboratory Notebook

Lab notebooks are bound with numbered pages in which all notes, calculations, observations, and results are recorded. These notebooks usually provide duplicate pages that can be easily torn out. This allows theresearcher to submit a copy and to keep a copy for his/her own use. Laboratory notebooks are confidential. The notebooks are owned by the research institution.

Requirements forthe laboratory notebook

  • Bound notebook
  • Black ink, ballpoint pen. Blue and red ink fades. No pencil. No erasing or White-out. Mistakescrossed out with a single line and initials nearby. Diagonal line over unused portions of a notebook page.
  • Identifying information - the front of the notebook containsresearcher’s name,date, and an identification number for the notebook.
  • Table of contents - The contents are listed with page numbers referenced.
  • Page information
  • Every page numbered.
  • Date at the top of page. Example: 5 Apr '00, or April 5, 2000, but not 4/5/00 - in Europe the day comes before themonth.
  • Statement of responsibility–a signature on each page.
  • Witnessing –each page witnessed by another lab member after experimental data is entered and before laboratory notebook is turned in
  • Title–provided for each experiment
  • Purpose of experiment–brief description of the rationale for the documented task isprovided
  • Steps of all protocols documented. If protocol is repeated it is acceptable to cross reference previous page so that researcher does not rewrite every step.The lab notebook is chronological. Blank pages are not acceptable (unless a line is drawn through). It is acceptable to continue an experiment at a later date and reference the page number.
  • Record observations -practices and observations are immediately and directly recorded into the notebook. Observations should not be trusted to memory.
  • Detailed and clear notes of problems encountered included.
  • Calculations, equipment, materials, and methods are detailed
  • Units, volumes, lot numbers specified
  • Pages can be inserted, such as instrument printouts, pictures, photos, x-ray film but existing material or fold inserted pages cannot be covered up. All additions should are taped on all sides. Initials and date are included.
  • Personal comments are acceptable such as “success at last”.
  • Conclusions and interpretations
  • Provide an analysis and summary of data
  • Address whether hypothesis was supported, if appropriate
  • Suggest improvements in experimental design and error analysis are included
  • The lab notebook is chronological. Blank pages are not acceptable (unless a line is drawn through). It is acceptable to continue an experiment at a later date and reference the page number.

Check list for each lab

  • Provide a title and purpose statement
  • Keep up with the table of contents
  • Provide a signature
  • Date each page
  • Number each page consecutively
  • Write on consecutive pages, front and back
  • Use continuation notes when necessary
  • Properly void all blank pages or portions of pages
  • Enter all information directly into the notebook
  • Properly introduce and summarize each experiment
  • Include complete details of all first-time procedures
  • Include calculations
  • Have the pages witnessed

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