We have all heard the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” before.  When we are presented with unfamiliar, large or otherwise cumbersome data it can be beneficial to construct a graph – a diagram – of the data to help us visualize patterns and trends in numbers.  By making a picture of the data we are able to use our visual senses to help our analytical mind interpret data.   Making graphs by hand is also a good kinesthetic exercise, allowing us to become more familiar with the information that we have collected.

Choosing the right notebook for your scientific experiments can make all the difference in how you feel about your experiments and how enjoyable the experiments can be.  What you need in a lab notebook depends on the level you are working at, the environment that you will be working in, the convenience and ease of use of the notebook, and the cost.