A project data book is your most treasured piece of work. Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the judges and will help you when writing your research paper.

• Don't remove any pages. Simply put a line through errors.
• All pages should be numbered before any data is entered.
• All entries should be dated.
• Each new entry should begin on a separate page.
• Use more than one notebook if necessary.
• Don't put rough drafts of the research paper in the notebook.
• All entries must be legible and in ink.

Contents of the Notebook

• List of potential science fair projects.
• Project title.
• Experimental design. Identification of variables etc.
• Data Tables (Raw and Summary Data)
• Regular observations (similar to a diary)
• Calculations.
• Graphs
• Reading notes from literature pertaining to the project, including references and citations.

Documentation: The proof that the experiment was completed.

• Date all entries in the Notebook
• Photograph when ever possible. Photograph the progress in various stages when possible.
• If scientific equipment is used (Spectrophotometer, HPLC, IR, NMR,) save all print outs from the machine.
• If the project is to be a continuation from past years you must have all your old notebooks.
• The burden of proof that the project was completed is on the student. To avoid any questions as to the validity of your experiment you should document everything.