Writing the Laboratory Notebook

by Howard M. Kanare

Discusses the vital aspects of how to make a proper and permanent record of research work. Goes beyond the mechanical of simply filling in the notebook pages with details on the skills needed to create proper records of research, observations, and results. Helps to increase awareness of what
is being done in the lab and to develop a flexible style of notekeeping that will serve a variety of research environments.

150 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 1985

Reviews

[CC Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book for a junior scientist. This is a serious and comprehensive guide to lab notebook writing, written in a concise and pleasurable read. From the nuances of paper quality, type of pens/ink to practical examples of notebook entries. The author done a great job on teaching the subject in 150 pages.

[Erin Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is geared more for chemists, but the general principles are valuable. The guidance for teaching notebooks starting in elementary is interesting. Students trained in nature journaling from a young age would be naturally successful at good record keeping.

[Khánh Uyên · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and concise, a must read for first year undergrad or people just started doing lab work. Wished I had read it sooner, a great help to my messy lab notebooks.

[Katie Strickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love a little internship homework 😉 actually learned a lot

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book as standard teaching to all the interns that work for us. It provides a sound basis for understanding the uses and legalities of a research notebook. It also discusses a range of other notebooks useful to the researcher, including the sample log, the instrumental log, and the personal journal among others. It discusses hardware needed to keep an archival notebook, including the requisite hardbound paper notebook, permanent pens, and archival glues and tapes. Another section provides information on the layout and management of the notebook.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was instructional and informational. Found most of the stuff useful but not all of it, a little dated so some of the references and stuff no longer made sense, but most of the information was still relevant. Parts were a little boring, but gave a lot of contextual information about Laboratory notebooks and the habits. Also great examples, not all relevant to my work but still some were, covered all the bases.