T. R. Girill, March 2006

Taking Lab/Project Notes Effectively
Framework Techniques Examples

Preparation

Come prepared to take notes. Bring...

lab notebook with numbered pages,

pencil (for drawings) or pen.

Leave space for second thoughts.

Attend to...

why you are taking notes,

vocabulary, specialist words.

For evidence, use ink and date pages.

For example, to

record evidence for an asylum decision,

help nonscientists assess relevant biological facts.

falaka, hematoma

Organization
(order)

Impose a standard pattern...

for thoroughness,

to promote later comparisons.

Show how subpoints relate to main points:

parts?

reasons?

examples?

uses?

Use a template if helpful.

Physical torture:

techniques used,

immediate effects,

delayed effects,

emotional reactions.

CDC's sudden unexplained infant death forms
(structure plus spontaneity).

Content
(specifics) Get to the heart of the matter...keep important details but omit trivia:

Date your notes.

Capture key data:

Use full sentences if you can.

Use verb phrases at least.

Use tables/data sheets for numbers.

Note background info used (no plagiarism).

Frame details in their relevant "contrast class."

Separate:

lab/clinical observations,

subject's explanations,

your interpretations.

Survivor of torture examination:

Lesions appear on both shoulder blades... [Size] Each is 3 cm wide and... [Site] They run vertically, in parallel, along... [Color] Both are yellow with...

Police reports, caseworker comments.

(a) Weight, appetite vs. "normal,"
(b) Pre- and post-detention wounds,
(c) Hypervigilence, panic attacks.

"Wounds consistent with being thrown against a wall"--
all relevant but possibly conflicting.

Signals
(format) Make the format of your notes helpful (for later review and reuse).

Use topic heads and subheads.

Cluster related items into (numbered) lists.

Sketch simple diagrams to show:

relationships,

physical features.

Add cross references:

to other notes (by date),

to books, articles, or web sites.

Try the two-column "Cornell system" (notes in a big right column, heads and comments in a small left column).

See numbered outlines above.

For example:
Prison conditions Psychological torture Physical torture
Separately draw death scene and body found.

This sheet as model; Levenger paper.

Taking Lab/Project Notes Effectively
Framework	Techniques	Examples
Preparation	Come prepared to take notes. Bring... lab notebook with numbered pages, pencil (for drawings) or pen. Leave space for second thoughts. Attend to... why you are taking notes, vocabulary, specialist words.	For evidence, use ink and date pages. For example, to record evidence for an asylum decision, help nonscientists assess relevant biological facts. falaka, hematoma
Organization (order)	Impose a standard pattern... for thoroughness, to promote later comparisons. Show how subpoints relate to main points: parts? reasons? examples? uses? Use a template if helpful.	Physical torture: techniques used, immediate effects, delayed effects, emotional reactions. CDC's sudden unexplained infant death forms (structure plus spontaneity).
Content (specifics)	Get to the heart of the matter...keep important details but omit trivia: Date your notes. Capture key data: Use full sentences if you can. Use verb phrases at least. Use tables/data sheets for numbers. Note background info used (no plagiarism). Frame details in their relevant "contrast class." Separate: lab/clinical observations, subject's explanations, your interpretations.	Survivor of torture examination: Lesions appear on both shoulder blades... [Size] Each is 3 cm wide and... [Site] They run vertically, in parallel, along... [Color] Both are yellow with... Police reports, caseworker comments. (a) Weight, appetite vs. "normal," (b) Pre- and post-detention wounds, (c) Hypervigilence, panic attacks. "Wounds consistent with being thrown against a wall"-- all relevant but possibly conflicting.
Signals (format)	Make the format of your notes helpful (for later review and reuse). Use topic heads and subheads. Cluster related items into (numbered) lists. Sketch simple diagrams to show: relationships, physical features. Add cross references: to other notes (by date), to books, articles, or web sites. Try the two-column "Cornell system" (notes in a big right column, heads and comments in a small left column).	See numbered outlines above. For example: Prison conditions Psychological torture Physical torture Separately draw death scene and body found. This sheet as model; Levenger paper.