writing guide - 31.16

31.10 LAB BOOKS

(This is adapted from a document developed by Dr. P. Anyalebechi)

Each student is required to maintain a well-kept and up-to-date laboratory notebook. This notebook should be used to record all of the details of the various experiments and tests that are performed no matter how trivial they may seem at the time. The entries should include the following:

(i)Date the test was performed

(ii)Objective of the test or experiment

(iii)A brief description of the experimental or test apparatus or machine and the procedure used

(iv)Results obtained - including visual observations and computer data file names (if the results were obtained with a data acquisition system)

(v)Preliminary thoughts on the significance of the results

At the end of each lab period, the notebook should be witnessed and signed by either the instructor or a laboratory assistant. The notebook should be submitted to your instructor for grading within 24 hour of the end of the lab.

For team studies, every member of the team is expected to keep an independent record (in his/her own laboratory notebook) of the experimental procedure, results, and preliminary interpretation of the results. This will facilitate team discussions.

Well-kept laboratory notebooks are very important. They facilitate the statistical analysis and interpretation of the data and the eventual writing of a final technical report. They provide a legal record of events and often make the difference between winning or losing legal cases on patents and on a company's right to use a certain technology in their manufacturing facilities. Losing one of these cases could bankrupt a company or cost it millions of dollars in royalty!

31.11REPORT ELEMENTS

•In reports we must back up our opinions with data, equations, drawings, etc. As a result we use a number of common items,

writing guide - 31.17

-figures

-tables

-equations

•When these elements are included, there MUST be a mention of them in the writ-

ten text.

•These days it is common to cut and paste figures in software. Make sure

-the resolution is appropriate

-the colors print properly in the final form or print well as black and white

-the smallest features are visible

-scanned drawings are clean and cropped to size

-scanned photographs are clear and cropped to size

-digital photographs should be properly lit, and cropped to size

-screen captures are clipped to include only relevant data

31.11.1 Figures

•Figures include drawings, schematics, graphs, charts, etc.

•They should be labelled underneath sequentially and given a brief title to distinguish it from other graphs. For example “Figure 1 - Voltage and currents for 50 ohm resistor”

•In the body of the report the reference may be shortened to ‘Fig. 1’

•The figures do not need to immediately follow the reference, but they should be kept in sequence. We will often move figures to make the type setting work out better.

•If drawing graphs by computer,

-if fitting a line/curve to the points indicate the method used (e.g. linear regression)

-try not to use more than 5 curves on the same graph

-use legends that can be seen in black and white

-clearly label units and scales

-label axes with descriptive term. For example “Hardness (RHC)” instead of “RHC”

writing guide - 31.18

-scale the curve to make good use of the graph

-avoid overly busy graphs

-titles should clearly, and disctinct, indicate why the content of the figure is significant.

Figure 2 - Various Techniques for Making a Sphere with AMP

31.11.2 Graphs

•Units on axes

•Should have points drawn and connected with straight (or no) lines if experimen-

tal.

•Smooth lines are drawn for functions or fitted curves. If a curve has been fitted the fitting method should be described.

•if using graphing software don’t put a title on the graph.

- titles should clearly, and disctinct, indicate why the content of the figure is signif-

writing guide - 31.19

icant.

31.11.3 Tables

•Tables are often treated as figures.

•They allow dense information presentation, typically numerical in nature.

Table 1: A Comparison of Toy Vehicle Properties

Description	Number	Color	Shape	Material
car	3	red	rectangular	die cast
truck	6	blue	long	polyprop.
motorcycle	2	green	small	wood

•Legends can be added to tables to help condense size.

•table columns should have units as appropriate

- titles should clearly, and disctinct, indicate why the content of the figure is significant.

31.11.4 Equations

•When presenting equations, use a good equation editor, and watch to make sure subscripts, etc are visible.

•Number equations that are referred to in the text.

•Box in equations of great significance.

•left justify equations