Scientific journals are very personal accounts of any and all ideas conceived during the course of an experiment or any other kind of research project. The purpose of a scientific journal is to compile information in an organized way that allows the author and others to quickly and effectively review its contents later on. This page discusses the format associated with this type of journal and makes suggestions as to how one might go about writing one, but any other useful techniques that would allo w the reader to organize his thoughts and ideas are certainly valuable for consideration. Scientific journals are very personal accounts of any and all ideas conceived during the course of an experiment or any other kind of project.

Scientific journals should contain any notes, questions, answers, and nostalgia that might occur over the course of a scientific endeavor. The structure of the journal must be organized in a coherent way that allows the author to efficiently gather a nd revisit the information contained in it. It is very important to maintain some sort of chronology of the data as it is inscribed in the journal; include the date of the entry and, if possible, the date of the conception of the idea, experiment, or dis covery being cataloged.

To achieve all of the aforementioned qualities, the author must consider many aspects of the journal's structure. When writing entries in the journal it is important to choose a legible form of script; usually using a larger font works best for this purpose. Aside from organizing the information chronologically, it is pertinent that the subject matter is consistent for each page; if random information is entered, then the coherence of the journal might be lost.

Specific Suggestions

• The first two to four pages of the journal should be left empty so that an index can be formed later on when the journal is filled up.
• When writing entries in the journal it is important to choose a legible form of script; usually using a larger font works best for this purpose.
• After the completion of each entry, pages should be designated for notes, questions, answers, and miscellaneous ideas or stories that relate to the topic being cataloged.
• The notes should always include pertinent sketches and diagrams. All diagrams should be drawn in pencil and must be drawn with a straight edge ruler.

If the steps outlined above are followed, the author will have a useful source of information that is conveniently accessible to any reader. Keeping such a journal enhances the learning experience of all kinds of lab and research related work. If the author eventually publishes his/her work, the scientific journal can be an invaluable tool to rely on in writing the paper. In a lifetime, one can amass volumes of journals that serve as a record of one's efforts, triumphs, and failures. The memories of past work are what allow a scientist to progress and evolve his knowledge.

David Eppenstein
June 2000