Document template: Laboratory journal
Fixed structure for keeping journal during experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology.
The journal is kept ongoing and honestly – everything in the report must be traceable back to the journal's raw data and observations.
§The journal can be messy, honest and full of corrections – it is documentation of what actually happened. The report is the processed presentation. The requirement is that everything in the report can be traced back to the journal.
| Field | Filled in with. |
|---|---|
| Date, class and participants | Who performed the experiment, and when |
| Experiment title and purpose | What is examined, and which question the experiment should answer |
| Theory in brief | The connection or formula the experiment is based on |
| Equipment and chemicals | All equipment used and all substances, including concentrations and labeling |
| Safety | The danger with asbestos is linked to the fibers released into the air. How many fibers are released depends mainly on how the material is processed. That's why the rules are based on how dusty the work is — not just whether it takes place indoors or outdoors. |
| Procedure | What you actually did — including deviations from the guidance |
| Raw data | All measurements with units, exactly as they were read |
| Observations | Everything that is seen, heard, or smelled along the way – also the unexpected |
| Uncertainty | Reading uncertainty, spread on repetitions, possible error sources |
§Good record-keeping habits
- 01Note measurements immediately and with unit – never in your head or on a loose piece of paper
- 02Write deviations down: a forgotten stir or changed temperature can explain a strange result
- 03Draw the setup with a quick sketch; it's worth its weight in gold when writing the report
- 04Note the accuracy of the instruments (e.g. the weight's smallest digit) while you stand by them
- 05End with two lines: what did the experiment immediately show, and what should be checked in data processing?