Analysis and Implementation of an Electronic Laboratory Notebook in a Biomedical Research Institute

Abstract

Electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) will probably replace paper laboratory notebooks (PLNs) in academic research due to their advantages in data recording, sharing and security. Despite several reports describing technical characteristics of ELNs and their advantages over PLNs, no study has directly tested ELN performance among researchers. In addition, the usage of tablet-based devices or wearable technology as ELN complements has never been explored in the field. To implement an ELN in our biomedical research institute, here we first present a technical comparison of six ELNs using 42 parameters. Based on this, we chose two ELNs, which were tested by 28 scientists for a 3-month period and by 80 students via hands-on practical exercises. Second, we provide two survey-based studies aimed to compare these two ELNs (PerkinElmer Elements and Microsoft OneNote) and to analyze the use of tablet-based devices. We finally explore the advantages of using wearable technology as ELNs tools. Among the ELNs tested, we found that OneNote presents almost all parameters evaluated (39/42) and both surveyed groups preferred OneNote as an ELN solution. In addition, 80% of the surveyed scientists reported that tablet-based devices improved the use of ELNs in different respects. We also describe the advantages of using OneNote application for Apple Watch as an ELN wearable complement. This work defines essential features of ELNs that could be used to improve ELN implementation and software development.

Electronic Lab Notebooks Impact Biomedical Engineering Students’ Quality of Documentation and Technical Communication

“…In other future studies, it would be beneficial to develop a methodology to capture the aspects of lab notebooks that may be difficult to measure through the use of rubrics. For example, electronic lab notebooks have been discussed to assist in collaboration and accessibility [Guerrero 2016]. Considering these biomedical engineering students were working in teams during their biomechanics laboratory experience, assessing the effectiveness of electronic lab notebooks on collaboration may also yield useful information.…”

“…The use of cloud computing, digital technology, and social media has increased in education, scientific research, and the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries [Guerrero 2016;Machina 2013;Pence 2016]. ABET has indicated that preparing engineering students in technical communications is one of the essential skills needed to enter these fields [ABET 2016].…”

A smart device application for the automated determination of E. coli colonies on agar plates

“…Currently a lot of research effort is put into using smart devices for scientific purposes. Not only the use of tablets as modern lab journals is evaluated to digitally document lab processes and to make old-fashioned paper notes obsolete, but also the built-in sensors of smartphones and other wearables are used to record experimental data and physical quantities [7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

“…Other cell phone constructions were used to detect allergens in food, for the quantification of glucose in urine and for pathogen DNA detection [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Also a lot of effort was put into the establishment of efficient smartphone-based microscopes by several research groups [22][23][24][25]. In addition to smartphones, also emerging technologies like smart glasses gained the interest of the scientific community.…”

smartLAB – Interaktives Arbeiten in digitalisierter Laborumgebung

“…Ob die Verwendung eines ELN einen Mehrwert für die biomedizinische Forschung bietet, wurde von Guerrero et al. untersucht . Hierbei zeigte sich, dass über 85 % der befragten Wissenschaftlerinnen, Wissenschaftler und Studierenden die Arbeit mit ELNs positiv bewerteten, besonders in Bezug auf die Dokumentation von Experimenten und das Teilen von Daten mit Kollegen.…”