Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN)
Introduction
Lab notebooks are used by researchers to document the planning, implementation and evaluation of scientific experiments and the research data generated in the process.
With the development of digital technology, they are increasingly being replaced by the electronic lab notebook (ELN) which can ideally be integrated into the research data management process. An ELN can communicate with other tools in the research data life cycle (e.g. analysis software) and can also be connected to data storage and other systems.
Benefits of using an ELN
- Efficient work through standardization, search functions and filter options
- Traceability and verifiability of research results
- Networked digital research environment
- Preparation for publication and long-term archiving of research data
ELN Test, Selection and Support
To make it easier to get started, the CDI offers advice and support for planning and training. Researchers can test the ELNs without obligation and find the most suitable product. The CDI looks after the administration of the ELNs (installation, backups, updates, etc.) in cooperation with the RRZE.
Please do not hesitate to send any inquiries to forschungsdaten@fau.de or directly to the ELN experts at the CDI.
Deciding on the right solution
- Functionality: What are the functional requirements of the ELN (for example, integrated appointment calendar, time stamping entries, integrated Laboratory Inventory Management System (LIMS), automated interfaces, etc.)
- Costs: How much does an ELN initially cost and what are the running costs?
- Long-term: Especially in the case of commercial software, providers may change their pricing models and you may face significantly increasing costs after a few years. In addition, there is the possibility that a business may be abandoned or become insolvent.
- Storage: How much storage space is available and can it be expanded if necessary
- Externally hosted vs. on-site: On-site means more effort (installation, maintenance, updates, …), but also better control over who can access the data. In the case of locally hosted solutions, storage space can generally be expanded but in the case of externally hosted solutions, it is usually necessary to negotiate with the provider. Externally hosted solutions also run the risk of the provider going bankrupt and data no longer being accessible.
- Open Source: In the case of open source solutions, it is guaranteed that the software can be used without limitation under the conditions stated at the time of download. Even if the software is no longer maintained by the original developers, the software can still be used. Open source code is publicly accessible and the software can be adapted or extended to your own needs.
- Complexity / learning effort: How easy is it for users to learn how to use the ELN? Will researchers accept switching to an ELN?
- Support: How good is the support for any questions/problems which may arise? What support is available for setting up the system? Are there tutorials to learn how to use the system?
- Configuration and customization: How well can I adapt the ELN to my individual needs? What can be configured and customized? Does the system support complex metadata models if so required?
- Evaluation: Is there a well-structured data storage model? Does the data storage structure allow automated evaluation?
- Compatibility: Compatibility with external cooperation partners/universities and their ELNs (for example, elements can be exported and re-imported into other ELNs, as collaborative research requires history tracking)
- Exit strategy: How can I export the data (including all links, etc.) when changing from one ELN system to another and import them into the new system? Exporting data as a PDF file, for example, is probably unsatisfactory in most cases.
ELN software supported by FAU CDI
NOMAD OASIS
- Structure-first ELN
- File-based (maintains original folder structure)
- Relatively new based on the NOMAD Repository
- Integrated tools (e.g) JupyterHub
- (Optional) publishing data to central NOMAD repository
- RFC3161 time stamping
- Data can be exported
- Further information
eLabFTW
- free-text first ELN
- Templates with tables, fields, procedural steps etc.
- Additional structures can be defined via JSON
- Manual and automated to-do list sidebar
- Integrated calendar for reserving lab equipment
- RFC3161 and blockchain (Bloxberg.org) timestamping
- Entries can be digitally signed
- Data can be exported
- Further information
openBIS
- Integrated inventory management, plate well tracking
- JupyterHub
- Visual representation of relationships between data
- Export to Zenodo
- Data can be exported
- Further information
Other ELN systems
labfolder
- Used at the university’s clinic for wet lab documention
- Licenses also available for FAU staff
- commercial software with fees depending on number of users
- Further information