Home Guides Creating Project Notebooks Project Notebooks and Audience

Introduction

Definition

Patent Issues

Audience

Format

Graphics

Topics for Notebook Entries

Perspectives on Project Notebooks

Project Notebook Content

Project Notebooks Versus Lab Notebooks

Group Work and Project Notebooks

Sketches

Good Versus Bad Project Notebooks

Why Keep a Notebook?

Project Notebooks and Audience

Examples

Example One

Example Two

Additional Resources

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Authors & Contributors

Project Notebooks and Audience

Kate Kiefer, English Professor

The scientist or engineer working alone keeps a project notebook primarily for himself or herself. The notes and speculations are largely to jog the memory and record ongoing problems and successes with the project. The project notebook is also a guide when preparing interim and final reports on the project.

When scientists/engineers work in groups, however, the project notebook can be a collaborative record of the project. In this case, entries must be clear and complete enough not only for the writer, but also for other team members. In many work settings, a supervisor might also look at the project notebook to gauge a project's progress.

As a student, you project notebook is primarily written for yourself, but it will also be reviewed by the project supervisor or faculty advisor. You should not forget this important audience for notebook entries.