While performing a melting point determination on their purified salicylic acid a student observed through the MelTemp viewing window that the sample began to melt at 157oC. They then momentarily directed their attention away from the MelTemp device to their lab notebook in order to record the 157oC value. Upon returning to the MelTemp viewing window they see only liquid in the capillary tube and thus are unable to report the temperature at which the sample completed its melting. In response they decide to remove the capillary tube from the MelTemp, allow it to cool until the liquid re-solidifies, then repeat the melting point determination using the cooled capillary tube. Which one of the following statements is correct?
a. The student's response is following best practices
b. The student's response is not following best practices