Guidelines For Science Fair Log Book

GUIDELINES FOR
SCIENCE FAIR
LOG BOOK
• What is a Log Book? It is a record of your experiment
(like a journal) that is kept in a composition notebook.
• A composition notebook does not have pages that can be
torn out. Everything written in the logbook stays.
What should be in your Log Book?
• 1. All of your research prior to choosing your project. (Include all books, websites and other
sources
• that you researched)
• 2. Proposal (each section must be labeled). Make sure that all the corrections from the original
proposal
• have been made before you copy into log book.
• • The Problem (in the form of a question)
• • Hypothesis – written as an if…. then statement.
• •1. Independent Variable
• • 2.Control Variable
• • 3.Dependent Variable
• List of the all the Materials that you actually use in the experiment. (This may
change slightly from your original proposal).
• • List and number the steps/procedures that you are following for your
experiment.
• • Drawings or illustrations- Illustrate the experimental design and work in
progress. Include sketches and diagrams of the setup of your experiment.
• Data- You need to record everything that happens in your experiment neatly. Use a
ruler to make neat data charts. Be sure to write observations neatly that can be read
by others. Please date all entries when they occur. Include photos and drawing if it
helps show what has occurred.
• • If you run into problems, record the problem and how you plan to solve the
problem in your Log
• Book. Research possible solutions. If it doesn’t solve the problem come up with a
new plan and try that.
• • Include question and ideas for further experiments or questions for your teacher.
• 4. Explain in a few sentences the reasons why you choose this topic for your
experiment. What about this subject interests you?
LOG BOOK CHECKLIST
• _________ The Problem (in the form of a question)
• _________ Hypothesis (written as an if…. then statement).
• _________ Independent Variable (only one)
• _________ Control Variable (must include at least four)
• _________ Dependent Variable (what is measured)
• _________ List of the all the Materials that you actually use in the experiment.
• (This may change slightly from your original proposal).
• _________ List and number the steps/procedures that you are following for your
experiment.
• Put in number format.
• _________ Drawings or illustrations- Illustrate the experimental design and work in
progress.
• Include sketches and diagrams of the setup of your experiment.
• _________ Data- You need to record everything that happens in your experiment neatly.
• Use a ruler to make neat data charts. Be sure to write observations neatly that can be
read by others. Please date all entries when they occur. Include photos and drawing
if it helps show what has occurred.
RESEARCH PLAN
FORMAT FOR
ENGINEERING
DESIGN
General Information:
• 12 pt Times New Roman font

• Double Spaced
• 1 inch margins
• Always write in third person
• Write in Full Sentences except for the materials list
• A maximum of two members only per group.
Important Reminders for a Laboratory Report or Research write-up
• Check Spelling
• Use Significant figures and units regarding measurements and calculations
• Avoid personal pronouns
• Headings should stand out and each section should be separated by 1 line
• Neatness counts -> use justified text.
• Do not copy verbatim (word for word) from the lab handout or any other
• source. This is plagiarism and would result in a zero mark and possible
• further consequences.
• Title page - Heading, Name, Name of Partners, Class
Name, Teacher Name, Date Lab Report
RATIONALE
• Based on what you have learned from your background research, identify why your topic
and project idea are important and valid. How can this research project make an impact
on the world? The rationale isn’t your list of background research notes – it’s a brief
critical analysis of what you found in your background research and a lead-in to what you
are proposing to research. It starts with a general description of the topic and ends with a
specific statement about what you are going to research. It includes three main
components
• 1. A brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem WITH IN-
LINE CITATIONS.
• 2. An explanation of why this research is important scientifically
• 3. An explanation of the impact of this research on the world/human society.
• It’s important in this section to cite the sources of the information you use. For
example, if you state a research finding about adult sleep requirements that you
found in a paper by Smith, written in 1999, it might look something like this,
“The length of sleep time required for adequate mental function in over 21 years
of age averages 8.5 hours per night (Smith, 1999).” The full citation for each
article goes in your bibliography, with all the details required for APA-style
citations.
•
Problem statement / Purpose/ Research questions / specific objectives.
• Your Research Question is a broad query that shows what you were first
wondering about.
• The problem is a concise statement in complete sentences outlining the purpose
of the study. The purpose section of a lab is where you tell the reader your
reason for doing the study in the first place and briefly summarize any relevant
background information about the experiment, including any relevant chemical
equations and/or algebraic equations. Research questions must be SMART.
Engineering Goal
• A well crafted Engineering Goal clearly outlines exactly what you

will be designing, and will help guide you toward a successful
engineering plan. From your general topic, you will want to
identify key terms using Background Research to come up with
your specific goals and the Expected Outcomes of that goal.
• Engineering Goal: To reduce the accumulation of bellybutton lint among various
bellybutton sizes and types.
Design Criteria / Expected Outcomes
•  The device I will design and build will cost less than 500pesos to make, be
lighter than 28 grams, stay securely and comfortably in the bellybutton for up to
12 hours, adjust to different bellybutton sizes, and be made of hypoallergenic
material.
•  It is expected that this device will reduce bellybutton lint accumulation by
>90% and lead to better personal hygiene.
Materials
• The materials section is a list of all equipment, reagents (chemicals), and

computer programs that were used to complete the experiment. Drawings of the
apparatus setup should be included in this section if needed. The materials list
must be complete. Indicate how much of each material will be used in the
experiment. If you plan on arranging some of the equipment into a more
complex setup (for example, if you are going to heat something over a Bunsen
burner, you will need a ring stand, wire gauze, etc.), draw it as well as mention
the equipment used.
Procedure:
• This section Must be written in paragraphs. Explain the test design and allow for
pictures and diagrams. The procedure is a detailed statement (step by step) of
how the experiment will be performed such that the experiment could be
repeated using your report.
• STAY AWAY from personal pronouns: “I will…We will…Next I will…etc.”
• e.g. We are taking the temperature every 2 minutes. (THIS IS NOT THE PROPER
WAY)
• The temperature will be taken every 2 minutes. THIS IS CORRECT
• Included also in this section is a plan on how the observations will
be gathered, possible measurements, multiple trials, data tables,
charts, and repeating steps. This section may consist of possible
quantitative and/or qualitative observations of the experiment. A
qualitative piece of data is a written description and/or sketch of
what is expected to observe during the experiment.
• Quantitative information may be in the form of a table or simply a written
description. When graphs are required, special attention should be paid to the
following items: the type of graph expected (straight line or curve), utilizing the
entire graph paper, plotted point size, title of the graph, and axis labels. When
numerous measurements are expected, data is to be placed in a data table
whenever possible. Figure headings are placed below the figure and should give
a short description of the figure. The figure number should be in bold print.
Table headings are found above the table and should also have a brief
description.
• (Use FUTURE TENSE to describe the details of the method or procedure.)
• • May be written stepwise, in sections, or in phases. Must be in the FUTURE TENSE.
• • Detail the procedure and experimental design that WILL BE used very clearly!
• • May use diagrams or flow charts, etc.
• • Use metric measurements. Include concentrations, quantities and major equipment.
• • Know the rules for studies dealing with Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals,
Potentially
• Hazardous Biological Agents and Hazardous Chemicals, Activities and Devices.
• • Include a copy of a questionnaire, survey, or test if part of the study.
• In this section, list the steps you will follow to carry out your experiment. In
order to write your procedure, it is important to consider several factors,
including the amount of time it will take to complete your project, the amount of
data you’d like to collect, and ways in which you will maintain a controlled
experiment for the most valuable data set. The experimental design you have
already drawn in your logbook should represent a general outline of your
procedure.
Analysis / Calculations:
• Possible Graphs, Calculations, Equations, Statistical Analysis -One example of each

type of calculation should be included. Results from numerous calculations should
be placed in a data table with the proper number of significant figures and correct
units. % yield and % error calculations should be included when possible.
• State the procedures that WILL BE USED to analyze the data that WILL BE
collected to answer the question or hypothesis. USE the FUTURE TENSE. DO NOT
give results.
• DO NOT give a conclusion. The research plan states WHAT WILL BE DONE.
Discuss the data/results and conclusion that CAN BE drawn (future
tense).
In this section, list your variables (IV and DV, controls) that you will be
measuring. Explain how you will compare these variables. Thinking now
about the type of data you will be collecting will help prepare you for the
best types of analysis
RISK AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT:
• Safety precautions that SHOULD be followed should be stated in this section.
• a very critical piece of your Research Plan is the “Risk Assessment”. With any
experiment, it’s important to make considerations for your safety and the safety
of your test subjects and the environment. It is your responsibility to 1) identify
hazards associated with your project and 2) explain how you will either prevent
these hazards or protect yourself and others from them. If you have humans,
animals or microbes in your project, seek the assistance of a professional to help
you assess the risk.

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GUIDELINES FOR

• 12 pt Times New Roman font

• A well crafted Engineering Goal clearly outlines exactly what you

• The materials section is a list of all equipment, reagents (chemicals), and

• Possible Graphs, Calculations, Equations, Statistical Analysis -One example of each

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