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Types of science notebook entries...

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’ (or porous), 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.