Preparing and Executing Experiments

Abstract

This chapter follows the steps you should take when planning experiments. The focus of this chapter is on experiments in STEM, in a research laboratory. You start by revisiting the literature review. Based on the literature review, and the experience reported by other researchers, you can design your first test setup. Next comes planning of experiments and the necessary logistics, linking the experiments to the chapter on planning. We touch upon project management techniques to develop a Gantt chart for a series of experiments. Revisiting ideas from Chap. 2, we discuss the importance of a lab book and research diary. For the execution of experiments, we discuss the value of senior PhD students and lab personnel, and their experience. Then, we discuss the importance of developing processing and storage protocols, linking back once more to Chap. 2. A final topic of this chapter is on reporting experiments. Start documenting your experiments in a report before the end of the experiments. Then we look at how you can turn your research report into a dissertation chapter or journal paper.