The Procedure Notebook is a quadrille-ruled composition notebook in which you record data, formulas, computational techniques, notes, and definitions. Its organization should be rigorous but flexible, making use of index tabs, flow charts, and other organizational devises. You may use your Procedure Notebook during Part B of exams but NOT on Part A. Students in the past have noted the utility of their Procedure Notebook after completion of the course.
Your biostat Procedure Notebook is intended to help you:
The specific content of the Procedure Notebook is decided by you. The main restriction is that content must be in your own hand (or typing) and may thus NOT contain class notes, answer keys, materials taken directly from StatPrimer (other than the z tables, t table, c2 tables), or graded homework. (You may replicate homework exercises in the Procedure Notebook, however.)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Procedure Notebook.
Student> When you say everything in the Procedure Notebook must to be "original" what exactly do you mean?
Dr. G.> Original as in the sense of in your own words and written in your own hand.
Student> Can you put something in your lab book that's included in the StatPrimer or the lecture notes?
Dr. G.> No. The Procedure Notebook must be of your own making, and in your own words to the extent this is possible. You should "take ownership" of your Procedure Notebook . This will make it more likely that ideas will "stick."
Student> Can you include examples from class or from homework?
Dr. G.> You may replicate analysis, but do NOT place answer keys or graded assignments into your Procedure Notebook. The value of your Procedure Notebook comes in its creation.
Student> If you were to look at someone's Procedure Book, what would you expect to see?
Dr. G.> This depend on the material being covered. In general, you should have instruction on how data are collected and stored. I would expect top see references to notation, formulas, and the interpretation of results. I'd also expect to see notes on the use of SPSS and other statistical tools (such as statistical calculators). The act of compiling all these methods into one central location will help prepare for the exam and will be useful when you tackle a data project in the future.
Last update June 12, 2003