Should students learn how to document experiments so results can be checked or reproduced?
Yes. Students should learn to document an experiment so that others can check what was done and, where feasible, reproduce it. Records should cover the purpose, procedure, conditions, samples and equipment, date and units, raw data, analysis methods, and any unexpected events or changes. This supports verification and reproducibility, while also helping identify errors and promoting safe, honest research.
Key points
- Documentation should include conditions, raw data, analysis methods, and deviations—not only a summary of the procedure.
- Clear dates, units, instrument settings, sample information, and versions of data or code make checking easier.
- Students should record failures and unexpected results rather than changing results to fit expectations.
Things to check
- Specific formats and retention requirements vary by university, faculty, course, and field, so students should check course instructions and official information.