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Writing an experimental log

For any scientific/physics experiment you do to be valid, your method and results must be properly documented, so that the validity of your results can be scrutinised (by you or someone else) later.

You should write up a log of your experiment in a notebook, and take note of the following points:

• If you're worried that your work might be tampered with later, make sure to write in ink, instead of with a pencil. Try to use the same pen for the whole log.
• If you're worried that others might steal your ideas and claim them for themselves, sign and date each page - so you have it in writing that you thought of it first.
• Never erase anything you write in a log. This suggests that you may have fraudulently altered the results.

How to structure a log:

You should write your log in sections as follows:

Background information (a.k.a Introduction): The first thing you should write in any log is the date. Then provide some background information to justify why you are doing the experiment, and how you intend to go about doing it

Aim: Briefly write the aim of the experiment. What do you hope to observe or measure? Keep the aim simple - just write what you are going to test - you can worry about the implications later.

Log (a.k.a. method/results, experimental details, etc.): Start doing the experiment with your log book in front of you.
Think of your log book as a journal of your experiment.
Every time you do or try something, write what you are doing (and what you hope to achieve) in your log.
Every time you measure or observe something, whether ordinary or unusual, write it down in your log.
Every time you have an idea which might be useful in explaining your observations or achieving your aims, write it down.
Every time you have any idea relevant to your investigation, write it down before you forget it!
Every time something goes wrong and you don't know why, write it down.
Every time something goes wrong and you think you know why, write it down.
If you record something in your log which you later think is wrong, don't erase it; just write down why you think it's wrong.
If you make any deductions or form a hypothesis based on your observations, write it down.
If you wan't to discuss anything relevant to your results, discuss it in your log.

Conclusion: Write a brief summary of the work you did in relation to your aim. Did you achieve your aim? If so, what did you learn? If not, do you understand why?

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The Scientific Method

Writing an experimental log

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