Types of science notebook entries...
[Draft: Expect this page to be updated in September 2024]
According to biologist Michael Canfield, notebooks of modern field scientists can be divided into several “loose categories.” Because in Dr. Merritt’s science classes students use their notebooks for both laboratory and field work, however, Canfield’s loose categories have been modified for use by his middle school science students.
In our science notebooks, we will use four(?) labels to categorize our notebook entries. Although the boundaries of each category is somewhat ‘fuzzy,’ such categories are useful when discussing your notebook work with your teacher and/or other students.
DIARY entires
Diary entries record information on mundane daily occurrences, such as meals, expenses, and meetings with others.
JOURNAL entires
Journal accounts include weather conditions, daily movements and geographic locations, and basic observations of plants and animals.
DATA entries
Data entries encompass substantial behavioral observations, factual records, and experimental results.
CATALOG entries
Catalogs record things collected and observed.