1. Good Research Practices

2. The term has become ethically laden

3. Practicalities And on and on… Data management Publishing decisions
Data interpretation
Personnel supervision
Fraud detection
Conflict of Interest management
And on and on…

4. Rules for Notebooks Permanent binding Numbered pages
Paper of good quality
Permanent, light resistant ink, no pencil

5. Front Matter Name, address, email, phone number on front cover
Notebook number on front cover if relevant
Table of Contents ( 2 pages)
Table of Abbreviations

6. Frances Richmond Sept 20,2004
Electronic records

7. You must not………. Tear out pages Erase or obliterate entries
Write on non-sequential pages
Leave pages empty

8. Changes to Entries
Cross out with a single line, change below, then sign and date change
Mass = 2.4 kg
Mass = 2.4 kg
2.8 kg, F Richmond, Sept 20,2004

9. But I want to use an electronic notebook!
What are the problems?
How do we solve the problems?

10. Storing notebooks Store working notebooks in a secure location
Archive old notebooks according to a system, usually for 20 years

11. Notebooks in a multiuser environment
Avoid entries in multiple notebooks—a single project should preferably have a single book, and different contributors should sign and date contributions

12. Keeping Track of work…
Issue numbered notebooks to specific users who are responsible for the book
Issue guidance and training on the use of the book

13. Who owns “my” notebook?
Not you, unless you are working for free with your own space and materials
Generally your employer—be sure you understand who owns the book if you have more than one employer

14. So where and what do I write?
No derogatory remarks!
Begin each experiment on a right-handed page
Write date unambiguously in upper corner
Title
Objective
Chemical equations
Required materials
Numbered steps for procedure
Record results and insights immediately—no detail too small!

15. When and who collects the data?
Date must be clear
Date must be attested
Signature of inventor/investigator
Signature of corroborating witness
Not a collaborator or individual with a conflict of interest
Someone who can and has read and understood the work
Someone who respects confidentiality
Read and understood
Frances Richmond
September 2, 2004

16. Quality matters!
If the notebook is messy it will be discredited as a reliable source
If a book is too clean, it will be discredited as well!
If it contains mistakes, valuable time and resources may be squandered