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Lab Etiquette
  • ESTABLISH GOOD WORK PRACTICES:

All students and Post Doctoral Research Associates SHOULD keep accurate lab records which should allow others to re-create the work and acheive the same results. It will also help to prepare manuscripts, formal reports and presentations.

GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICES FOR LABORATORY NOTE BOOKS

  • Use a permanently bound book with consecutive signed and dated entries.
  • Record entries chronologically.
  • Organize material with sections and headings.
  • If a page is left blank or a space within a page is left blank, draw a line through it.
  • Permanently affix with glue any attachments such as graphs/computer printouts/blots to the pages of the note book; date and sign both the note book page and the attachment.
  • outline new experiments, including their objectives and rationale.
  • Enter ideas and observations into your notebook immediately. Summarize discussions from lab meetings and ideas or suggestions made by others, citing the persons by name.
  • TEACHING OTHERS IN THE LAB:

It is expected that all students and Post Doc's assist each other to be productive in the laboratory. The goal is the create a congenial learning environment.

  • PROPER LABELING OF SAMPLES:

It is recommended that the laboratory personell establish a standard labeling system for all samples and specimens. All the primary data including images should be labelled and stored.

SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY.

SAFETY IN THE LAB IS TOP PRIORITY. PLEASE FOLLOW STRICT ADHERENCE TO RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING SAFETY PROCEDURES IN THE LABORATORY. LABORATORY SAFETY, ANIMAL HANDLING PROCEDURES, RADIATION SAFETY AND TRAINING SHOULD BE STRICTLY COMPLIANT.

Additional Resources:

  1. American Association for the Advancement of Science Integrity Videos, http://www.aaas.org/spp/video/orderform.htm.
  2. Kanare, Howard M. Writing the Laboratory Notebook, Washington DC: American Chemical Society, 1985.
  3. Food and Drug Administration. Title 21. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11 (21. CFR, part 11) Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures, http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/part///.

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