Journal
I. Purpose:
Describe the problem as simply as possible, usually in a single sentence. What is the experiment designed to do?II. Background:
Present any definition, theory or equation needed to solve the problem.III. Procedure:
Describe how to solve the problem by the method you used. Do this with a series of short sentences in the imperative mode telling what to do and for what to look. Place each step on a new, numbered line. Include sufficient details so that someone else could carry out the same procedure by following your directions. All apparatus should be identified. Diagrams often can save lots of writing! This is the only section ever directed to a “second person.”IV Results:
Describe and list observations and data collected. Tables and graphs of data are often the best way to present results. The nature of any calculations should be shown with formulas and examples, but the arithmetic is not necessary. Entries are made in the lab as the study is being conducted. To save lab time, preliminary sections of purpose, background, procedure, and blank tables are often written BEFORE coming to the lab. In order to work with expensive, jointly used equipment, scientists often have to schedule and pay for limited “time on the machine;” a class period imposes the same time restraints as those imposed on professional scientists. Calculations, graphs, and conclusions are typically completed after the lab period overnight as “home work.”V Discussion or Conclusions:
Describe how the results answer the problem posed in the "Purpose." Suggest possible causes of suspected errors (numbers are seldom precisely correct). Suggest further modifications or additional experiments that could improve the experiment or solve related problems. (You might even want to seek lab director's permission to do some of these for extra credit or as the basis for your quarter project!)- • Journal entries are made in ink.
• Each page contains the author’s name, any partner’s name, and the date of entries.
• The perspective of a third person is used except for procedures.
• A single line is drawn through errors with a briefly noted explanation nearby.
• All measurements need sufficient labels so they have full meaning after memories fade.
• If procedural errors or inadequate data are discovered later, additional research will be needed during the time available after school.
Like professional scientists, your work may be evaluated at various times. For example, preliminary entries may occasionally be graded BEFORE the laboratory work begins! Data may be graded during the laboratory period. The completed investigation may be graded when time permits as soon as a couple days after the scheduled laboratory time. For professionals, significant laboratory work is usually described in a formal printed report based on the information compiled in the journal. To save you much time and effort, you will only need to compile a formal report for a few laboratory investigations.