This might be a stupid question, but is there a specific way we're suppose to write in the bio lab notebook? Like the sheets look like graph paper and each line is numbered so it's confusing me. <.< Should I just treat them as regular lined pages? Also, the stuff we write in the notebook, is it for personal use or will it be marked as well? For example, if I'm doing a lab, and I want to write something down for myself, can I just add it in wherever I want? Or does everything have to follow a format, like: purpose, hypothesis, procedure, observations, etc. I'm so lost.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Driftking24

This might be a stupid question, but is there a specific way we're suppose to write in the bio lab notebook? Like the sheets look like graph paper and each line is numbered so it's confusing me. <.< Should I just treat them as regular lined pages? Also, the stuff we write in the notebook, is it for personal use or will it be marked as well? For example, if I'm doing a lab, and I want to write something down for myself, can I just add it in wherever I want? Or does everything have to follow a format, like: purpose, hypothesis, procedure, observations, etc. I'm so lost.

Thanks

Doesn't matter, just make sure to put titles, dates, and fill out the index. Make sure it's organized and clean. People should be able to pick up your notebook and do the same experiments as you did. Some courses check them for marks while others don't. I don't know if it's true, but I've heard that it's possible that researchers/professors can ask to see your lab notebook if you are looking for a supervisor for your graduate work. I don't see why they wouldn't either.

There's no specific way to write in your lab notebook. However, when writing in it, I would recommend that you keep it as organized as possible. Write the purpose, procedure, observations, etc in a concise manner because at the end of the course, there's going to be a lab test and the only thing you can bring in is your lab notebook. Having an organized lab notebook will definitely benefit you in the long run. You should also start organizing from the beginning of the semester. A lot of students started to cram information into the notebook in the last minute and trust me you don't want to do that because there's a lot of information to copy down.