SCIENCE JOURNAL:
A science journal, or a laboratory notebook, is a very detailed record of every aspect of a scientific investigation.
Scientists keep records of their investigations for a number of reasons. A very practical reason is that if a detail is
not written down, it is likely to be forgotten.
A scientist must report the details of how the investigation was conducted: how was an experiment designed, what kinds
of data were collected, how often were data collected. Scientists also give credit to other scientists for their ideas, and they
need to note the source for the “facts” and ideas that are a part of their background research. So, a science journal serves
as the primary document containing all the information needed to create a final paper or public presentation.
A science journal serves as a personal reference document for a scientist to guide future investigations. All the notes of what
worked well in an experiment, and what didn’t, are in one place for quick review. This organized system of tracking your research
process saves you a lot of time and gives you a big jump on planning new research projects. In this case, a science journal is a
tool for improving science.
Like a personal journal or diary, a science journal is a sequential record of everything you think about--at least everything you
think about your science investigation. Remember, your research journal is not a research paper. It is a series of detailed,
day-to-day notes, recording what you think, what you do, what you want to know, what you discover.
In the older days, science journals were heavy leather-bound books, often with a string to tie the book shut when not in use.
Today’s research journals are diverse; they are handwritten or electronic. No matter how they are written, research journals
contain a few standard items.
Be sure to include the following in your research journal:
Your initial observations
Your initial brainstorming ideas
Initial questions you might interested in asking
Kinds of background information you know about the topic
Possible search strategies to explore more about the topic
Record of the sources you used for background information
Refined research question that you think is testable
Your team research plan to answer the question
What materials you will use in your investigation
What data you will collect in your investigation
Reflections on how your research is progressing
Reflections on what you think the research results mean
It is a good idea to start every journal entry with the date, written in same place every time. Update your research journal regularly. Keep your original files in a safe place.