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In scientific research, the lab notebook is often considered a legal document, such as for the purposes of patents or to meet FDA guidelines for drug research.  Therefore it is important to start good habits that will make your notebook as efficient and accurate as possible.  Some more common tips include:

• Use permanent ink
• Initial and date every page
• Leave a blank page or two at the beginning of your notebook so you can create a Table of Contents
• Draw only a single line through all errors written, so they still can be seen
• Create a table of important chemicals and their relevant properties at the beginning of each experiment
• Record what you have done, not what your lab manual says
• Record all observations and explanations of why they happened
• Be as descriptive as possible with titles and headings for your experiments; for example do not write "Chemical Synthesis," instead write "Preparation of Alum"
• Cross out all blank space at the bottom of the last page of each experiment; start a new page for each experiment
• At the end of each lab, ask yourself, "Can I recreate this experiment/my results with what I have written down?"

Courtesy of Purdue University Libraries

The purpose of a laboratory notebook is to legally record the experiments performed by a certain person in an organized format that can be used as a reference.

Every discipline has subject specific lab notebook rules. The GTC Chemistry rules are:

1. Use a bound composition notebook only. Graph paper is highly recommended.
2. Always write in blue or black ink (not erasable). (No pencil!)
3. Never erase or use correction fluid or tape. Draw ONE LINE through a mistake or an X through an incorrect section. Mistakes must be readable.
4. NEVER remove pages. Do not skip pages. If a page is left blank on purpose, put an X through the page.
5. Inserted items must be attached with at least one staple (tape and glue may also be used) and must have initials and the date the item was attached. Inserted items must be related to data analysis and the current experiment ONLY. Excel graphs are permitted. Copies of PreLabs and Lecture Notes are not permitted. Don’t try to hide items.
6. Label the front cover:

Student Name

Chemistry Laboratory Notebook

Gwinnett Technical College

Start Date: ______ End Date: ______

7.  Number pages front and back at the top beginning with the very first page.
8.  Enter the table of contents on pages 1-3.

9.  Attach the provided reference sheet after the table of contents on pages 4-5
10.  Each experiment must have all required components. Left and right pages both have specific content:

Gwinnett Technical College
General Chemistry - Last modified July 31, 2013