Why keep a lab book

Before any practical work is undertaken in the laboratory a sturdy hard-backed lab notebook should be obtained and a standard format for keeping the notebook should be decided upon. A good deal of thought should go 

In order that the exact procedure followed for a reaction can be referred to later. This can be very important even if the reaction was not successful. For instance, after several attempts to bring about a reaction have failed, it is often possible to review what has been done then carry out a more successful experiment 

It should be the main index point that will enable you to find experimental, literature and spectroscopic data on any compound which you have synthesized. 

It is the main source of reference when you come to write reports, papers, theses etc. 

It is a chronological diary of the experiments carried out and thus it should allow you to say exactly when a particular experiment was carried out. 

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