What are we doing? 

This project, part of the Research Lifecycle Programme’s ongoing investment in the University’s research environment, will help to support the implementation of at least one digital notebook platform (integrated with a sample inventory, where required) for researchers (academic staff and PGRs) at The University of Manchester. 

What are digital notebooks and sample inventories?

A subset of what we’re calling ‘digital notebooks’ are referred to as electronic lab notebooks (ELNs). A simple ELN definition is “a system to create, store, retrieve and share fully electronic records in ways that meet all legal, regulatory, technical and scientific requirements” [1].

These specialised software platforms allow for the capture of experimental data and metadata in a structured, searchable manner. This project has adopted the more expansive term ‘digital notebooks’ to also include software with the same core functionalities, but which aren’t geared towards lab-based experimentation.

Researchers in the Humanities may benefit from a digital notebook to organise notes, interview transcripts, archival material, citations, and annotations in a single, easily accessible platform. 

Sample inventories should be more self-apparent. These tools are often found integrated with lab-oriented digital notebooks, thus enabling samples to be located and tracked throughout their lifecycle, as referenceable objects.

Why are we doing it?

An earlier study across the University showed a clear demand for supported digital notebooks and sample inventories amongst respondents.

• To reduce the risk of research data and metadata loss, or the inability to locate said data.
• To increase research and research-supporting colleague satisfaction, efficiency and productivity.
• To contribute to the University’s commitment to open, reproducible and responsible research, which in turn improves external perception and the University’s reputation.
• To reduce the per-user cost of licenses for digital notebooks whilst broadening access. 

What do we need from you?

There are at least 70 software products currently available on the market. We need you to tell us which functionalities you want to see in these tools, to ensure you get the right product for your research, or research-supporting role. 

So if you have ever struggled to: 

• Locate the data you collected many moons ago, which you now need to urgently publish a paper?
• Remember where the data you’ve just been asked to share from an older publication is now?
• Collaborate securely with peers?
• Figure out what on earth is in that test tube?
• Relocate that critical sample?
• Understand why you set x = 2 in a calculation, forgot where you left the handwritten note that said so, and are now doubting your own research findings as a result? (An extreme example!)

Then please contribute by:

• Reaching out to Dr James Bird directly by email.
• Booking a meeting using Bookings.
• Completing a short survey.

Need more information?

If you’re vaguely intrigued, but would like pointing to some extra resources first to further whet your appetite, see any of: 

• Visual representation of notebook functionalities we would like to hear your opinion on here.
• A recording of a talk given by James, discussing his use of a digital notebook to share his research data here. 
• The slides only for that same presentation here.

1. Rubacha, M., A.K. Rattan, and S.C. Hosselet, A Review of Electronic Laboratory Notebooks Available in the Market Today. JALA: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation, 2011. 16(1): p. 90-98.

Image from Placidplace on Pixabay

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