Open Lab Notebooks
Lab notebooks are important elements of lab-based research processes. They are used to document records such as hypotheses, analyses and experiment interpretations. Currently, we see an exciting transition away from old-school paper lab notebooks towards digitally available Open Lab Notebooks. The general concept of Open Lab Notebooks relies on the following principles:
- Open Lab Notebooks should be shared online in real time without limits or boundaries regarding access and use of the data
- Raw data used in the research to reach findings or conclusions is available online and accessible to anyone
- All experimental data should be shared, including cases of non-significant results, failed attempts or null findings
- Feedback and other contributions to the research effort can be integrated easily with the understanding that everything is donated to the public domain
Why use Open Lab Notebooks?
There are several apparent benefits of using Open Lab Notebooks. For example, Open Lab Notebooks require regular and consistent updates, which improves transparency of your research process. Also, actively publishing failed attempts or null findings provides the scientific community with an understanding of what works and what not, which can be used to improve research methods. There are different platforms that allow you to share Open Lab Notebooks, such as openlabnotebooks.org and Open WetWare. These platforms provide general information on how to organize your notes, but also facilitate an online environment where you can publicly share your lab notebook. If you wish to learn more about Open Lab Notebooks, you can visit the following websites:
- Minimizing Mistakes In Psychological Science (about organizing a lab in times of Open Science)
- How to pick an electronic laboratory notebook (how to choose between the many available tools )
Open Lab Notebook Tools and Software
Publications on Open Lab Notebooks