Electronic Lab Notebook: Lab notebooks will be completing using the cloud-based electronic lab notebook system at www.docollab.com. Each document created in the project will be a lab experiment. This must be completed individually for all lab experiments.
Before each laboratory you will prepare a pre-lab section in your electronic notebook. The pre-lab section will be checked electronically at the start of each lab. If you do not have a pre-lab you will not be allowed to do the lab.
In the Docollab system, you will create a new Project, renamed as [Last Name] CHEM 310L. Within this project, you will create a new document for each lab in which you will put all the lab notebook information described below.
There should be four sections in you pre-lab:
Title: On a new page in your notebook write the title of the lab and the date as a heading. List lab partners.
Aim: Briefly state the goal of the experiment
Procedure: Summarize the procedure you will follow in the lab in numbered step format. This should be detailed enough for you to do the lab entirely from your notebook.
Pre-lab questions: Answer any pre-lab questions if assigned.
Results: During the lab you will generate a 5th section in your notebook called Results. In this section you will record all your observations and data obtained during the lab. It is always better to have too much data than too little. If you need to draw tables use a ruler and clearly label the table. It is also a good idea to plot your data as you acquire it – especially calibration points (this will give you some idea as to whether the experiment is proceeding properly). This can be a rough plot but the plot must be labeled correctly and understandable. Figures and tables should be generated using the project write-up guidelines. Show one complete set of calculations in detail for one set of data for each type of calculation required. Be sure to carry all units through all steps! Summarize the rest of the calculated results in a table. Use significant figures! Show uncertainties and error bars were appropriate. Before leaving the lab your notebook must be signed by the instructor.
Conclusions and Questions: After the lab you will generate a 5th section called Conclusions and Questions. Briefly discuss and interpret your results. Compare to literature values if appropriate. Discuss the quality of your results. Discuss possible sources of error. Do not simply say operator malfunction– be specific and insightful. Discuss ways to improve the method. State overall conclusions: Have you achieved your original stated goal. Answer assigned questions.