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Expand Up @@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ An Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) is a software meant for documenting experiments
As well as documenting your experiments, resulting research data and processes, a physical lab notebook is also intended to communicate your work (e.g. why experiments were initiated?). It also serves as a legal document to prove patents and defend your data against accusations of misconduct. Finally, it is your scientific legacy in the laboratory {% cite n4m_wc_elns_2023 %}.

## Additional uses of ELNs
ELNs offer features and functions that can pave the way for significant time savings and knowledge transfer in daily laboratory work. For example, ELNs support the annotation of raw data (e.g. with tags or metadata {% cite rathmann_2021 vandendorpe_nd %} without having to switch between different media formats. Annotating data makes it searchable, discoverable, traceable and reusable {% cite vandendorpe_nd %}. ELNs also bring data and their description closer together through embedded multimedia files (e.g. videos of experimental setups), links to shared resources (e.g. chemical databases or analysis software), links to other experiments, and direct links to (raw) data sets and analysis workflows {% cite rehwald_2022 %}. ELNs also allow for the versioning of experiment descriptions {% cite rehwald_2022 %} and the structuring and visualisation of workflows and processes {% cite rathmann_2021 %}. ELNs also have the ability to manage inventories of samples, reagents and other supplies, and track equipment and equipment maintenance schedules {% cite lma_rdmwg %}. ELNs also provide for collaboration {% cite lma_rdmwg %} through a common medium {% cite rehwald_2022 %}. Last but not least, ELNs provide for auditing {% cite lma_rdmwg %}, security and safety. Indeed, ELNs are fireproof, waterproof and cannot be lost, misplaced or stolen. ELNs can also be automatically backed up. They allow timestamping (RFC 3161 using DFN-PKI) and finalisation to prevent further changes {% cite rehwald_2022 %}. They also support electronic signatures {% cite cozatl_2021 %} and require access management {% cite rehwald_2022 %}.
ELNs offer features and functions that can pave the way for significant time savings and knowledge transfer in daily laboratory work. For example, ELNs support the annotation of raw data (e.g. with tags or metadata {% cite vandendorpe_nd rathmann_2021 %} without having to switch between different media formats. Annotating data makes it searchable, discoverable, traceable and reusable {% cite vandendorpe_nd %}. ELNs also bring data and their description closer together through embedded multimedia files (e.g. videos of experimental setups), links to shared resources (e.g. chemical databases or analysis software), links to other experiments, and direct links to (raw) data sets and analysis workflows {% cite rehwald_2022 %}. ELNs also allow for the versioning of experiment descriptions {% cite rehwald_2022 %} and the structuring and visualisation of workflows and processes {% cite rathmann_2021 %}. ELNs also have the ability to manage inventories of samples, reagents and other supplies, and track equipment and equipment maintenance schedules {% cite lma_rdmwg %}. ELNs also provide for collaboration {% cite lma_rdmwg %} through a common medium {% cite rehwald_2022 %}. Last but not least, ELNs provide for auditing {% cite lma_rdmwg %}, security and safety. Indeed, ELNs are fireproof, waterproof and cannot be lost, misplaced or stolen. ELNs can also be automatically backed up. They allow timestamping (RFC 3161 using DFN-PKI) and finalisation to prevent further changes {% cite rehwald_2022 %}. They also support electronic signatures {% cite cozatl_2021 %} and require access management {% cite rehwald_2022 %}.

## What ELNs should not be used for
ELNs are not data publishing platforms and are not suitable for storing large files. Large files require special technology for secure storage (e.g. Object Store, Nextcloud), but can still be linked in the ELN {% cite rehwald_2022 %}.
Expand All @@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ ELNs increase the efficiency of everyday tasks by providing time-saving features
## Connection to a digital research environment
ELNs are linked to a digital research environment {% cite vandendorpe_nd %}, for example through their import and export capabilities {% cite bobrov_2021 %}. ELNs can also provide seamless interfaces to other programmes, such as Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) {% cite bobrov_2021 %}. This networked aspect of ELNs enables them to play a central role in an institution's [Research Data Management](https://nfdi4microbiota.github.io/nfdi4microbiota-knowledge-base/Research-Data-Management/02-rdm) (RDM) strategy. Indeed, ELNs can be linked and contribute to almost each step of the research data lifecycle:

* **Data collection:** ELNs can automatically record results from measuring instruments {% cite vandendorpe_2020 rathmann_2021 %} and retrieve data from databases for actively used data {% cite assmann_2022 Krause_2016 %}.
* **Data collection:** ELNs can automatically record results from measuring instruments {% cite rathmann_2021 vandendorpe_2020 %} and retrieve data from databases for actively used data {% cite assmann_2022 Krause_2016 %}.

* **Data processing:** As we have seen, ELNs facilitate the documentation of data with metadata. They also allow data to be captured as early as possible and fed directly into an analysis pipeline {% cite vandendorpe_nd %}.

* **Data sharing and publishing:** ELNs facilitate collaboration by allowing data already in digital form to be used directly in the ELN {% cite vandendorpe_nd %}. ELNs also make it easy to share information about the project, data and documentation with collaborators {% cite lma_rdmwg %}, for example via the cloud {% cite n4m_wc_elns_2023 %}. All this also facilitates collaboration with the institutional library, research data centre and IT centre {% cite vandendorpe_nd %}.
ELNs also facilitate publishing by providing a means to prepare research data for publication {% cite vandendorpe_2020 %} and by integrating with other applications such as Mendeley, Dataverse and PubMed {% cite lma_rdmwg n4m_wc_elns_2023 %}.
ELNs also facilitate publishing by providing a means to prepare research data for publication {% cite vandendorpe_2020 %} and by integrating with other applications such as Mendeley, Dataverse and PubMed {% cite n4m_wc_elns_2023 lma_rdmwg %}.

* **Digital preservation:** ELNs facilitate the creation of backups {% cite rathmann_2021 %} and can include links to the location of large amounts of data {% cite bobrov_2021 %}. They also facilitate the archiving of data and its documentation {% cite vandendorpe_nd n4m_wc_elns_2023 %} by providing a means to prepare research data for digital preservation {% cite vandendorpe_2020 %} and by being linked to digital preservation systems.

Expand All @@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ Finally, ELNs contribute to GSP by providing for data security and collaboration
# Criteria to select an ELN

## Basic systems
Basic systems allow for traditional text entry, which can be searched and made available on multiple devices via the cloud. They also allow files (e.g. images, spreadsheets) to be attached to text and the attachments to be viewed, annotated and searched. Such systems include Word, Evernote and Dropbox. Basic systems have the advantage of being inexpensive, easily accessible and already familiar to many researchers. However, considerable effort is required to achieve the functionality of a traditional ELN with such a system {% cite vandendorpe_2020 bobrov_2021 %}.
Basic systems allow for traditional text entry, which can be searched and made available on multiple devices via the cloud. They also allow files (e.g. images, spreadsheets) to be attached to text and the attachments to be viewed, annotated and searched. Such systems include Word, Evernote and Dropbox. Basic systems have the advantage of being inexpensive, easily accessible and already familiar to many researchers. However, considerable effort is required to achieve the functionality of a traditional ELN with such a system {% cite bobrov_2021 vandendorpe_2020 %}.

# Further resources
* [ELN Finder - Demo](https://eln-finder.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/home) - Tool to help researchers searching and selecting a suitable ELN thanks to more than 40 filter criteria.
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