USE OF LABORATORY LOG BOOKS

A. Purpose
The Laboratory Log Book is a concise record of work in progress. It is essential that this is completed
during the laboratory session, whilst the work is in progress.
B. Contents
The Laboratory Log Book should contain sufficient information so that at some later date a formal
report may be written based on its contents.
The Laboratory Log Book should be legible but not necessarily neat and tidy. Material may be
crossed out but not erased: correction fluid should not be used.
Graphs should be sketched whilst the work is in progress. This will enable rogue data to be identified
and, if necessary, the readings may be taken again.
C. Organisation
A bound laboratory exercise book should be used.
Date
Title, eg Lab 1 Digital Logic 1
1. Equipment Used
Record the serial numbers of the equipment used, name, type and the room, eg EE 123,
Farnell CRO, room T4/03.
2. Brief Objectives
This should state clearly what the objectives of the laboratory are.
3. Diagrams
Circuit diagram actually used or system sketches drawn by hand.
4. Procedure
Brief notes on the procedure actually used, including departures from the guidance given on
the lab sheet.
5. Test Results
a) Wherever possible, present results in the form of a handwritten table showing
Observed Results Calculated Results Expected Results Any
Remarks
V1 (V) I1 (A) V2 (V) I2 (A) Z1 () Z2 () Z1 () Z2 ()

b) Show measurements, results calculated from these and comparisons with expected results
from theory.
c) Use SI units throughout.
d) Estimates of errors (in percent).
6. Graphs
a) Sketch graphs during the lab class which should be used to identify rogue or missing
measurements. Axes should be clearly labelled and units stated.

b) After the lab class the graphs should be drawn neatly.

7. Discussion

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 The discussion section may need to be completed outside the timetabled session as this
section shows if you understand the meaning and limitation of your results. The contents
should be in note form and should cover the following points where appropriate.
a) What can be learned from the results?
b) Do the practical results agree with the theory or expected results? If not, suggest why?
c) What are the errors and the probable causes?
d) Could the experiment be done more accurately or in a better way?
e) Is there any further work which could be done?
8. Conclusion
Comments in note form on the results obtained should be written down neatly.
Two paragraphs should be adequate for most sessions.

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