Keeping Records of Laboratory Work

Abstract

No matter how high the standard of experimental technique employed during a reaction, the results will be of little use unless an accurate record is kept of how that reaction was carried out and of the data obtained on the product(s). Individuals or individual research groups will develop their own style for recording experimental data, but no matter what format you choose to follow, there are certain pieces of vital information which should always be included. In this section a format for keeping records of experimental data will be suggested and although this need not be strictly adhered to, it will be used to point out the essential features which should be included. It is suggested that records of experimental work and experimental data be kept in two complementary forms: The lab notebook should be a diary of experiments performed and should contain exact details of how experiments were carried out; A data book or set of data sheets should also be kept to record the physical data and preferred experimental procedure for each individual compound which has been synthesized.