Creating Context for the Experiment Record. User-Defined Metadata: Investigations into Metadata Usage in the LabTrove ELN

Willoughby, Cerys; Bird, Colin; Coles, Simon J.; Frey, Jeremy G.

doi:10.1021/ci500469f

Cited by 16 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These issues included refining metadata and improving functionalities in repositories that enabled scholarly use and reuse of materials. Willoughby and colleagues illustrated some of the challenges related to data quality when reporting on researchers in chemistry, biology, and physics [38]. They found that when filling out metadata for a repository, researchers used a ‘minimum required’ approach.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research data management in academic institutions: A scoping review

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to describe the volume, topics, and methodological nature of the existing research literature on research data management in academic institutions.Materials and methodsWe conducted a scoping review by searching forty literature databases encompassing a broad range of disciplines from inception to April 2016. We included all study types and data extracted on study design, discipline, data collection tools, and phase of the research data lifecycle.ResultsWe included 301 articles plus 10 companion reports after screening 13,002 titles and abstracts and 654 full-text articles. Most articles (85%) were published from 2010 onwards and conducted within the sciences (86%). More than three-quarters of the articles (78%) reported methods that included interviews, cross-sectional, or case studies. Most articles (68%) included the Giving Access to Data phase of the UK Data Archive Research Data Lifecycle that examines activities such as sharing data. When studies were grouped into five dominant groupings (Stakeholder, Data, Library, Tool/Device, and Publication), data quality emerged as an integral element.ConclusionMost studies relied on self-reports (interviews, surveys) or accounts from an observer (case studies) and we found few studies that collected empirical evidence on activities amongst data producers, particularly those examining the impact of research data management interventions. As well, fewer studies examined research data management at the early phases of research projects. The quality of all research outputs needs attention, from the application of best practices in research data management studies, to data producers depositing data in repositories for long-term use.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research data management in academic institutions: A scoping review

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although more research would be needed to identify more effective combination of cues, another approach we have advocated in the past is to make use of ‘invitations’ within interfaces; invitations are prominent interface elements that encourage users to add specific content to an entry [ 28 ]. These invitations could be used instead of ‘mandatory’ fields that potentially confuse or frustrate users.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of using structured templates for recalling chemistry experiments

2016

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe way that we recall information is dependent upon both the knowledge in our memories and the conditions under which we recall the information. Electronic Laboratory Notebooks can provide a structured interface for the capture of experiment records through the use of forms and templates. These templates can be useful by providing cues to help researchers to remember to record particular aspects of their experiment, but they may also constrain the information that is recorded by encouraging them to record only what is asked for. It is therefore unknown whether using structured templates for capturing experiment records will have positive or negative effects on the quality and usefulness of the records for assessment and future use. In this paper we report on the results of a set of studies investigating the effects of different template designs on the recording of experiments by undergraduate students and academic researchers.ResultsThe results indicate that using structured templates to write up experiments does make a significant difference to the information that is recalled and recorded. These differences have both positive and negative effects, with templates prompting the capture of specific information that is otherwise forgotten, but also apparently losing some of the personal elements of the experiment experience such as observations and explanations. Other unexpected effects were seen with templates that can change the information that is captured, but also interfere with the way an experiment is conducted.ConclusionsOur results showed that using structured templates can improve the completeness of the experiment context information captured but can also cause a loss of personal elements of the experiment experience when compared with allowing the researcher to structure their own record. The results suggest that interfaces for recording information about chemistry experiments, whether paper-based questionnaires or templates in Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, can be an effective way to improve the quality of experiment write-ups, but that care needs to be taken to ensure that the correct cues are provided.Graphical abstractScientists have traditionally recorded their research in paper notebooks, a format that provides great flexibility for capturing information. In contrast, Electronic Laboratory Notebooks frequently make use of forms or structured templates for capturing experiment records. Structured templates can provide cues that can improve record quality by increasing the amount of information captured and encouraging consistency. However, using the wrong cues can lead to a loss of personal elements of the experiment experience and frustrate users. This image shows two participants from one of our studies recording their experiment using a computer-based templateElectronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13321-016-0118-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

show abstract

“…Our separate study of metadata usage in LabTrove took account of the underlying purpose of each notebook. 13 The majority of the notebooks that we surveyed are used for recording experiments, with other notebooks being used for experiment-related data such as materials catalogues and instrument descriptions. Some groups use the ELN for administrative purposes, such as recording project and personal activities, testing of and discussion about LabTrove itself; a small number of notebooks are used for multiple purposes, comprising both experimental data and project information.…”

Section: Usage Synopsis: How the Eln Has Been Usedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We also appraise the reticence shown towards capturing metadata, although we examine the subject of metadata in ELNs at greater depth in a separate article. 13 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%