WRITING DATA IN A

LOGBOOK
As a researcher in almost every field,
they used journals or logbooks as to
keep their records and help for future
research
DATA LOGBOOK

A project data logbook is the researcher’s most treasured piece

of work, it is a crucial part of any research project.

Data logbook, also called a research notebook, is a detailed and

permanent record of every phase on how the project was done
that is kept in a composition or hard-bound notebook.
 A. HOW TO CONDUCT AND KEEP A
LOGBOOK
1. Plan your time to set-up, conduct and clean up an
experiment(study) to analyze and create results.
2. Gather all materials and equipment that will be
needed in your study ahead of time.
3. Collect data and write it in an organized logbook.
B. LOGBOOK SET-UP

1. Label the front cover of the research data logbook with the following information:
a. Student’s First and Last Name
b. Student’s Address
c. Student’s Contact Number
d. School’s Name e. Teacher’s Name
2. Leave the first page blank for your table of contents. This page will be the last thing
you complete for your logbook after all entries have been made.
3. After the table of contents, number the remaining pages of the logbook.
 C. LOGBOOK SECTIONS:
1. Deadline Schedule: It keeps you on track with due dates and will be written onto page 2 of your
logbook.
2. Background Research: It includes all your notes taken from researching in the book, website, or
interview that you use for information to write a research report. Follow a proper citation format for
your works cited page.
3. Problem Statement: It is the entire purpose for doing your research and completing your
experiment, a research question written in statement form.
4. Hypothesis: It is what you think the answer to the research question is going to be, an “educated”
guess in the form of a statement.
5. Experimental Set-up: It includes:
a. Materials: Make a specific and detailed list of all materials needed.
b. Procedures: Make a numbered step-by-step list of everything you will do in the experiment.
6. Variables: It includes the independent, dependent, constant, or control variable if it applies.
7. Data Collection: It is the section of your detailed observations made throughout the
experiment.
8. Results: It includes the summary of an organized data, charts, graphs and/or tables, that you
have taken throughout the experiment.
9. Analysis/Conclusion: It discusses the outcome of the experiment.
10. Reflections: It shows your suggestions or recommendations to make some improvement on
the process, or how could you extend your research.
D. IMPORTANCE OF DATA LOGBOOK

• 1. It is a habit of keeping good data records.

• 2. It is much easier and less time-consuming when you have a
thorough and detailed notes.
• 3. It will become a historical references and shape future
research.
•USING ISEF FORMS
• Being familiar with International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
rules and forms are critical for students, parents, teachers, mentors,
fair directors, local and affiliated fair Scientific Review Committees
(SRC) and Institutional Review Boards (IRB).
 WHAT ARE ISEF FORMS?

• constitute a written documentation of what will occur, or in some cases, has

already occurred, in a research project.
• The forms are designed to provide the information that is needed to review the
project to ensure compliance with the ISEF rules and with laws and regulations that
apply to the project. It should be filled out and signed before any research takes
place, wherein only Forms 1C, 5B, 7, and the Abstract are done after the research.
When the approval or consent is given to the student researcher(s), the dates of
signatures reflect with the use of this format, MM/DD/YY.
• The purpose of ISEF rules is to:
• a. protect the rights and welfare of the student researcher, human
participant, health and welfare of vertebrate animal subjects, and
environment,
• b. ensure adherence to federal regulations and use of safe laboratory
practices, and
• c. confirm eligibility for competition in the ISEF.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ISEF FORMS

1. Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form 1)

The checklist is provided so that the adult sponsor can review what
information (and therefore which forms) must be provided. The date
signed is the date that the sponsor first reviews the project plan before
the experiment begins.
2. Student Checklist (Form 1A)
On this page, the student outlines of
what the project is about.
3.Approval Form (Form 1B)
• These statements attest that each
of these people (or committees)
approves or consents to this
project.
4. Regulated Research Institution (Form 1C)
• This form is completed by the supervising adult, explains what the
student researcher did and is signed after the project is completed.
This form is only needed if the research was done at a research
institution (university lab, for example) or in an industrial setting, but
is not completed for work done at a high school.
5. Qualified Scientist (Form 2)
• On this page, the scientist explains what will be done to
oversee this project. The qualified scientist (QS) and, if needed,
the designated supervisor (DS), will sign with the date that they
approve this project (before experimentation takes place).
6. Risk Assessment Form (Form 3)
• Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or
devices, and some PHBA’s including protists, composting,
coliform test kits, decomposition of vertebrate organisms and
microbial fuel cells and must be completed and signed by the
DS or QS prior to student experimentation.
7. Human Participant Form (Form 4)
• This page, along with the research plan, is submitted by the
student researcher to explain to the IRB how the safety and
well-being of the test subjects and the confidentiality of results
will be ensured.
• 8.Vertebrate Animal Form (Form 5A)
• This form is filled out by the student researcher when the
experiment is conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site
such as home or school and describes the housing and care for
the animals.
9.Vertebrate Animal Form (Form 5B)
This form is filled out by the Qualified Scientist when the
research is conducted at a Regulated Research
Institution and describes the study.
10. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (Form 6A)
• This form is filled out by the student researcher and is required
for all research involving microorganisms, rDNA and
fresh/frozen tissue (including primary cell lines, human and
other primate established cell lines and tissue cultures), blood,
blood products, and body fluids.
11. Human & Vertebrate Animal Tissue (Form 6B)
• This form is filled out by the student researcher and explains
the source of the tissue. The Qualified Scientist or Designated
Supervisor signs and dates to document the source and
handling of this tissue (before experimentation).
• 12. Research Continuation/Progression Projects Form
(Form 7)
• If the current project is in a similar area of research as any
previous project of the student or any team member, it is
considered a continuation.
• 13.Abstract Form
• The abstract is a summary of the study and is written after
experimentation. ISEF finalists must use the on-line system.
Regional and local fairs may use this PDF version of the ISEF
abstract.
 B. REASONS WHY STUDENTS NEED TO USE THE ISEF
FORMS:
• 1. ISEF Forms help students plan their project.
• 2. The parents know what the student is doing and has proper supervision.
• 3. Only the completed forms with the research plan are required of all projects
with an abstract for Science fairs.
• 4. Students with topics of special concerns and risks will need additional ISEF
Forms (use ISEF Form Wizard if needed).
• 5. Students have used the internationally recognized standard for rules and
regulations for research.
 B. REASONS WHY STUDENTS NEED TO USE THE ISEF
FORMS:
• 6. If the students are nominated to continue to higher levels of competition,
they must show that the work:
• a. has been done safely for the student and others around him/her
• b. was planned and researched before starting the investigation
• c. was supervised by someone qualified for their project
• d. did not cause physical, psychological, or personal harm or injury to people
e. did not cause pain or suffering to animals