DOCUMENTING THE
RESEARCH PROCESS
DOCUMENTING THE
RESEARCH PROCESS
● An essential part of the writing
process
● An important part of being a scientist
IMPORTANCE OF
DOCUMENTING THE
RESEARCH PROCESS
● Facilitates data collection
● Supports presentation and
publication
● Enables replication
PROJECT DATA
LOGBOOK
Learning Objectives
• define a Project Data Logbook;
• identify the contents and pointers in creating a
Project Data Logbook; and
• document research activities through a Project Data
Logbook.
01
WHAT IS A
PROJECT DATA
LOGBOOK?
Project Data
Logbook
● It is a record of your experiment (like
a journal) that is kept in a
composition notebook.
Newton’s Principia is one of
several books he wrote about
different concepts in Science
and Mathematics.
This laboratory notebook
turned into a book, which is a
collection of his different
experiments.
Project Data
Logbook
● It is used to record daily activities from the start
of the project to the completion of the effort.
● It is a detailed account of every phase of the
project, from the initial brainstorming to the
final research report.
Project Data
Logbook
● It is subject to scrutiny by the
scientific community.
● It is a proof that certain activities
occurred at specific times.
● It is an acceptable evidence in the
court of law.
02
WHAT ARE THE
CONTENTS OF A
PROJECT DATA
LOGBOOK?
1. All of your research
before choosing your
project. Include all
books, websites, and
other sources that you
researched.
• Problem
2. Proposal (each section • Hypothesis
must be labeled) • Independent Variable
• Controlled Variable
Make sure that all the • Dependent Variable
corrections • Materials that you use in
the experiment
from the original • Steps/procedures that you
proposal have been are following for your
made before you copy experiment.
• Drawings or illustrations
into the logbook.
3. Data
Record everything that happens in
your experiment.
Use a ruler to make neat data
charts.
Be sure to write observations
Please put the date of all entries
when they occur.
Include photos and drawings.
03
WHAT ARE THE
POINTERS IN
MAKING A PROJECT
DATA LOGBOOK?
Use a durable
hardbound or a
standard composition
notebook not loose
sheets of paper.
Naga City Science High School
2. Label the first page of
the logbook with the
following information: GROUP 1
Floris Wayvell P. Tubale – Leader
• Name of School Aileen L. Tabayag– Assistant Leader
• Names of Group Members with Ruby B. Aguid– Secretary
Zillah G. Apuada -Member
their corresponding roles (leader, Marichu C. Castillo- Member
assistant leader, secretary, Arnold B. Hipolito Jr. - Member
member)
• Grade and Section
Grade 8 – Orbis
• Name of Teacher Erwin V. De los Reyes
Teacher
3. Leave the second page 4. Number the pages in
blank for your table of your logbook before
contents. This page will using it, unless already
be the last thing you will numbered for you
complete for your logbook
after all entries have been
made.
5. Always put the date 6. Entries should be
in every entry, just brief and concise. Full
like a journal. sentences are not
required.
7. Don’t worry about
neatness.
• Make logbook entries in pen not
in pencil.
• Information must be
handwritten.
• Don’t rewrite any of the entries
on a new page to make them
look neater.
• If you make a mistake, cross it
out. Avoid using correction tape.
8. Use the logbook in all phases of the
research.
• Jot down ideas and thoughts for the project.
• Entries may include your brainstorming, calculations, library/Internet
searches, diagrams, figures, or sketches, screenshots, or pictures of
meeting with mentors, advisers, or fellow group members and other
related activities.
• Use it regularly and write everything down, even if it seems
insignificant at the time; the information may be useful later on.
9. Glue, staple or tape any 10. Organize your
loose papers like receipts,
logbook.
photocopies, and other
important documents. Make a table of contents
and create tabs for
different sections within
your logbook.
11. Include a 12. Always include any
reflections section changes made to
procedures, mishaps,
in your logbook.
failures, or mistakes.
13. Include all observations made
during your experiment.
In other words, record ALL
data directly in your logbook.
If that is not possible, then
staple photocopies of data in
the logbook.
The logbook will serve as your
primary source of
documentation of what you did
and what happened during the
research process.