Metadata is documentation that describes data.* Your READ ME file should include:
Make your notebook as efficient and accurate as possible. Some more common tips include:
*Use permanent ink.
*Initial and date every page.
*Leave a blank page or two in the beginning for a Table of Contents.
*Draw only a single line through all errors.
*Create a table of chemicals & relevant properties with each experiment.
*Record what you have done.
*Record all observations and explanations of why they happened.
*Be descriptive with titles & headings.
*Start a new page for each experiment.
*At the end of each lab, ask yourself, "Can I recreate this experiment/my results with what I have written down?"
Adapted from "Organizing your lab notebook"
Here are a few best practices when collecting and using data:
For more information on managing your data please see "Best Practices for Managing Research Data"
Mendeley is a free reference management system that allows you to collect, manage, cite, create groups, and share research. Mendeley works with Microsoft Word and inserts citations into research papers and creates bibliographies from the citations.
Download and add the Web Importer bookmarklet.
Here are a few more ways to add references to Mendeley.
Saving your Mendeley Library online allows you to access your citations from anywhere.
To install the Mendeley Plugin you need to first close Word and then on Mendeley Desktop go to Tools > Install MS Word Plugin.
Mendeley will appear in MS Word References tab.
For instructions and screenshots, see the Mendeley Library Guide.
Journal Abbreviations for specific citation styles can be found under the "View - Citation Style" menu of your Mendeley desktop toolbar.
Search FAQ's on Mendeley's support site.
Visit Mendeley's Help Guides
For a more in-depth look at Mendeley's features, check out our Mendeley Library Guide.
Mendeley Citation Editor Instructions