Make it better but don't change anything

Jerry M Wright

doi:10.1186/1759-4499-1-5

Abstract

With massive amounts of data being generated in electronic format, there is a need in basic science laboratories to adopt new methods for tracking and analyzing data. An electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) is not just a replacement for a paper lab notebook, it is a new method of storing and organizing data while maintaining the data entry flexibility and legal recording functions of paper notebooks. Paper notebooks are regarded as highly flexible since the user can configure it to store almost anything that can be written or physically pasted onto the pages. However, data retrieval and data sharing from paper notebooks are labor intensive processes and notebooks can be misplaced, a single point of failure that loses all entries in the volume. Additional features provided by electronic notebooks include searchable indices, data sharing, automatic archiving for security against loss and ease of data duplication. Furthermore, ELNs can be tasked with additional functions not commonly found in paper notebooks such as inventory control. While ELNs have been on the market for some time now, adoption of an ELN in academic basic science laboratories has been lagging. Issues that have restrained development and adoption of ELN in research laboratories are the sheer variety and frequency of changes in protocols with a need for the user to control notebook configuration outside the framework of professional IT staff support. In this commentary, we will look at some of the issues and experiences in academic laboratories that have proved challenging in implementing an electronic lab notebook.

Highlights

In this issue of Automated Experimentation Axiope introduces eCat, an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) for basic science research laboratories
With increasing amounts of data generated in electronic format, lab workers will adopt whatever software that meets their immediate needs such as wikis, blogs and spreadsheets
Summary An important point is that electronic lab notebooks are really a new form of record keeping

Summary

Introduction

In this issue of Automated Experimentation Axiope introduces eCat, an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) for basic science research laboratories. Adoption of an ELN in small basic science laboratories has been lagging with only an estimated 4% of academic labs having a system in place [1]. A basic science laboratory is a challenging environment for electronic based record keeping. Automated Experimentation 2009, 1:5 http://www.aejournal.net/content/1/1/5 highly customizable electronic record keeping system, akin to having the flexibility of a bound paper notebook, yet be in electronic format so results can be quickly located, analyzed and shared. This additional flexibility needs to be integrated into laboratory procedures while being unobtrusive as possible. We will examine some of the issues involved in creating an ELN suitable for use in a small basic science laboratory

Findings

Discussion

Wright JM