Anyone who has taken even a middle-school level science course knows that a thorough procedure and an organized lab is the most efficient way to ensure a successful experiment. However, going from middle-school labs to high-school labs to college labs to actual professional labs, things get a lot more complicated. Procedures grow more complex, organization becomes more difficult, and experiments fail more often. Any researcher on any level knows that experimentation is testy—nine times out of ten, things don’t always go your way.
Why Organization Matters in Labs of All Sizes
Though a researcher might not be able to fully control failure or success, what can always be controlled in a lab setting is organization. Oftentimes, written procedures become a mess and physical drawings or notes get lost. With Minitab Workspace, you can ensure ideal written and visual organization with total ease. Forms like the Y Metrics form can help with data collection, while the DOE Planning Worksheet is perfect for designing experiments and ensuring all variables are accounted for. To demonstrate, let’s look at one of the most famous scientific experiments and use Minitab Workspace to draw out a detailed procedure.
In 1862, French scientist Louis Pasteur came up with an experiment that would be written about in science textbooks for years to come. It was an experiment that disproved spontaneous generation, the idea that lifeforms could spawn from non-living ones unprompted, and that also made for an ideal example of the scientific method and scientific procedure. Most everyone with a middle school education has learned this experiment, and it goes as so:
1. Prepare a broth and pour an equal amount into two different long-necked flasks. One flask should have a straight neck and the other should be bent into an S-shape.
2. Boil the broth in each flask to kill off any living thing in the liquid.
3. Leave the liquid in each flask to sit at room temperature. Be sure the necks of both flasks are open.
4.After a few weeks, take observations of the broth in each flask. Are there any differences?
Super simple, right? Indeed, it’s a very easy experiment that a scientist of any age could run.
But what if I told you it could be even easier? One of the best steps a researcher can take to optimize results is to make sure that their procedure is thorough and they understand exactly what they are testing for and exactly what each step means. That way, when something goes wrong, the potential mistake could be pinpointed easily and swiftly. With Minitab Workspace, procedural understanding can be taken to the next level with visual flow charts and diagrams right at your fingertips.
Visualizing Success: Process Maps and More in Minitab Workspace
By making a Process Map on Minitab Workspace, we can create this flow chart for Pasteur’s experiment that outlines the steps and smaller notes that include key information in under five minutes. Already, this procedure is shaping up to be more engaging and easier to follow than our written procedure above. With a little more tweaking, we can customize our chart even further with useful features:
In this second iteration, this flow chart for Pasteur’s experiment is now color coded and includes diagrams for further visualization. Even with a relatively simple experiment that is quite straightforward and short, there are all sorts of possibilities to creating an optimal flow chart on Minitab Workspace.
For larger experiments, additional forms like a Project Charter can provide a high-level overview of objectives and goals, while a task list ensures all steps are tracked and assigned to the right individuals. These features make managing complex projects not only easier but also more efficient.
With growing technology, labs are changing, and for the better. It is only necessary for lab procedures and organization to grow with the speed of technology. Minitab Workspace provides all sorts of useful and efficient features to expand the way you approach your data collection, whether you are a fresh seventh grade student starting out with Pasteur’s experiment or a doctor finding the cure to pancreatic cancer. Consider Minitab Workspace alongside other Minitab applications, such as Minitab Statistical Software, for your research needs.
Want to see for yourself? Download a complimentary trial of Minitab Workspace today.
This blog post was written by Delinda Ura, a summer 2024 marketing intern at Minitab LLC.