Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair

Keeping A Notebook

A project data book is your most treasured piece of work. Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the judges and will help you when writing your research paper.

Notebook Tips

Don’t remove any pages. Simply put a line through errors.
All pages should be numbered before any data is entered.
All entries should be dated.
Each new entry should begin on a separate page.
Use more than one notebook if necessary.
Don’t put rough drafts of the research paper in the notebook.
All entries must be legible and in ink.

Contents of the Notebook

List of potential science fair projects.
Project title
Experimental design
Identification of variables etc.
Data Tables (Raw and Summary Data)
Regular observations (similar to a diary)
Calculations
Graphs
Reading notes from literature pertaining to the project, including references and citations.
Documentation: The proof that the experiment was completed.
Photograph when ever possible. Photograph the progress in various stages when possible.
If scientific equipment is used (Spectrophotometer, HPLC, IR, NMR,) save all print outs from the machine.
If the project is to be a continuation from past years you must have all your old notebooks.

The burden of proof that the project was completed is on you—the student. To avoid any questions as to the validity of your experiment you should document everything.