1. Logbook
A logbook should be started BEfORE anything is done on a project — before the problem has been selected, and before the details have been worked out.
Logbooks are used in every aspect of real research as a means of keeping an honest, chronological account of an investigation. Computers are not used as logbooks because the date can be changed easily if the date of a discovery is important to the scientific community. Essentially everything you do should be logged. This includes the notes you take from sources at the library. You should begin your brainstorming in your logbook.
A logbook is a diary. It is a dated, written record of how a researcher went about designing a project and then gathering the information to test the hypotheses. It includes everything done, all of the people consulted, their suggestions and ideas, as well as the researcher’s own ideas. It describes how the investigator went about finding answers to questions. It includes procedures, data tables, charts, and diagrams. A logbook should be started before anything is done on a project — before the problem has been selected, and before the details have been worked out.
Judges are looking to find :
Entries appear authentic
Data reported to correct number of digits
Descriptions seem thorough

2. Making Entries
Use an ink pen that has the type of ink that will not smear when wet. Write or print neatly!
Never remove a page from a logbook — no matter what!
Never erase data. If you make a mistake, draw a neat line through it.
Make entries as you go. Don’t wait until later or you may forget the data!
Entries should be made only on the days the work was done.
(Never make an entry that states, “Today I did not work on my project.”)
Date EACH entry and enter the TIME.(Ex: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 pm.)
Initial all pages (to the right of the page numbers).

3. Set-up DETAIL: Front Cover of Logbook
(You will type this up on white paper and tape on front exterior of SF LOGBOOK in CENTER)
First and Last Name,
Sept 2016-Jan 2016
_____________
(topic title)

4. SET up DETAIL NUMBERING PAGES
*ALL pages numbered (cover-to-cover);
*on BOTTOM/ CENTER, used or not,
Consistent entries;
written on only FRONT sides of pages

5. Setting up (Inside) SECTIONS
Pg FRONT/Bottom/Center!
LEAVE BLANK now (will fill in as Title Page)
Pg 2,3,4 FRONT/Bottom/Center!
Write in header of each page:
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOLD next Page to serve as a divider RESEARCH NOTES
Pg RESEARCH NOTES
FOLD next Page to serve as a divider RESEARCH PLANS
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
FOLD next Page to serve as a divider EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
FOLD next Page to serve as a divider RAW DATA
Pg RAW DATA
FOLD next Page to serve as a divider CONCLUSIONS
Pg CONCLUSIONS

6. OVERVIEW: Setting up (Inside) SECTIONS
(Pg Title Page)
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOLD NEXT PAGE
Pg RESEARCH NOTES
(list resources, interviews, bibliographic info.)
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
includes brainstorming, thoughts, problems and direction
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
formulation of problem, hypothesis,
experiment is evident,
modified as experiment progresses
Pg RAW DATA
Pg CONCLUSIONS

7. Setting up DETAIL Page 1 (YOUR First and Last Name)
(Drop down 3 lines from top)
(skip a line between each statement)
(You will have white space at top and bottom of page)
(YOUR First and Last Name)
Factory Shoals Middle School
3301 Shoals School Road
Douglasville, Georgia 30134
Sept Jan 2017
_____________________
(Title of Project)

8. Table of Contents How to MAKE ENTRIES
pages 2-4,
filled in as work progresses
Entries are dated, and show TIME
Create a HEADER BAR at top of pg 2, 3, & 4
DATE / START TIME- END TIME / TASK
made only on days when work was done;
Make entries ONLY to show work
XX (no entries stating
“Today I did not work on my project” etc. )XX

9. Setting up DETAIL: SECTIONS
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg RESEARCH NOTES
(resources,
interviews,
bibliographic info)
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
includes brainstorming,
thoughts,
problems and direction
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
formulation of problem,
hypothesis,
experiment is evident,
modified as experiment progresses
Pg RAW DATA
evidence of experimentation,
variables, controls; materials,
measurements (listed in METRIC units)
Pg CONCLUSIONS

10. Setting up DETAIL: SECTIONS
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg RESEARCH NOTES (resources, interviews, bibliographic info)
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
includes brainstorming,
thoughts,
problems and direction
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
formulation of problem,
hypothesis,
experiment is evident,
modified as experiment progresses
Pg RAW DATA
evidence of experimentation,
variables, controls; materials,
measurements (listed in METRIC units)
Pg CONCLUSIONS

11. Setting up DETAIL: SECTIONS
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg RESEARCH NOTES (resources, interviews, bibliographic info)
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
includes brainstorming, thoughts, problems and direction
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
formulation of problem,
hypothesis,
experiment is evident,
modified as experiment progresses
Pg RAW DATA
evidence of experimentation,
variables, controls; materials,
measurements (listed in METRIC units)
Pg CONCLUSIONS

12. Setting up DETAIL: SECTIONS
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg RESEARCH NOTES (resources, interviews, bibliographic info)
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
includes brainstorming, thoughts, problems and direction
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
formulation of problem, hypothesis,
experiment is evident,
modified as experiment progresses
Pg RAW DATA
evidence of experimentation,
variables, controls; materials, measurements (listed in METRIC units) Pg CONCLUSIONS

13. Setting up DETAIL: SECTIONS
Pg TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg RESEARCH NOTES
(resources, interviews, bibliographic info)
Pg RESEARCH PLANS
includes brainstorming, thoughts, problems and direction
Pg EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
formulation of problem, hypothesis, experiment is evident,
modified as experiment progresses
Pg 51—70 RAW DATA
evidence of experimentation, variables, controls; materials, measurements (listed in METRIC units)
Pg CONCLUSIONS
tables, charts, graphs of results, comments and questions about
observations as experiment progresses, outcomes

14. Reminders: Making Entries
Use an ink pen that has the type of ink that will not smear when wet. Write or print neatly!
Never remove a page from a logbook — no matter what!
Never erase data. If you make a mistake, draw a neat line through it.
Make entries as you go. Don’t wait until later or you may forget the data!
Entries should be made only on the days the work was done.
(Never make an entry that states, “Today I did not work on my project.”)
Date EACH entry and enter the TIME.(Ex: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 pm.)
Initial all pages (to the right of the page numbers).