Department of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
PLoS One. 2013 Jul 23;8(7):e67460. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067460. Print 2013.
The electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) has the potential to replace the paper notebook with a marked-up digital record that can be searched and shared. However, it is a challenge to achieve these benefits without losing the usability and flexibility of traditional paper notebooks. We investigate a blog-based platform that addresses the issues associated with the development of a flexible system for recording scientific research.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We chose a blog-based approach with the journal characteristics of traditional notebooks in mind, recognizing the potential for linking together procedures, materials, samples, observations, data, and analysis reports. We implemented the LabTrove blog system as a server process written in PHP, using a MySQL database to persist posts and other research objects. We incorporated a metadata framework that is both extensible and flexible while promoting consistency and structure where appropriate. Our experience thus far is that LabTrove is capable of providing a successful electronic laboratory recording system.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: LabTrove implements a one-item one-post system, which enables us to uniquely identify each element of the research record, such as data, samples, and protocols. This unique association between a post and a research element affords advantages for monitoring the use of materials and samples and for inspecting research processes. The combination of the one-item one-post system, consistent metadata, and full-text search provides us with a much more effective record than a paper notebook. The LabTrove approach provides a route towards reconciling the tensions and challenges that lie ahead in working towards the long-term goals for ELNs. LabTrove, an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) system from the Smart Research Framework, based on a blog-type framework with full access control, facilitates the scientific experimental recording requirements for reproducibility, reuse, repurposing, and redeployment.
电子实验室笔记本（ELN）有可能取代带有标记数字记录的纸质笔记本，可以进行搜索和共享。然而，如果不能在不失去传统纸质笔记本的可用性和灵活性的情况下实现这些优势，那么这将是一个挑战。我们研究了一种基于博客的平台，该平台解决了开发用于记录科学研究的灵活系统相关的问题。
方法/主要发现：我们选择了一种基于博客的方法，同时考虑到传统笔记本的期刊特性，认识到将程序、材料、样本、观察结果、数据和分析报告链接在一起的潜力。我们实现了 LabTrove 博客系统，它是一个用 PHP 编写的服务器进程，使用 MySQL 数据库来持久化帖子和其他研究对象。我们整合了一个元数据框架，该框架既具有可扩展性和灵活性，又在适当的情况下促进了一致性和结构。到目前为止，我们的经验表明，LabTrove 能够提供一个成功的电子实验室记录系统。
结论/意义：LabTrove 实现了一项一贴系统，使我们能够唯一标识研究记录的每个元素，例如数据、样本和协议。帖子和研究元素之间的这种独特关联为监控材料和样本的使用以及检查研究过程提供了优势。一项一贴系统、一致的元数据和全文搜索的结合为我们提供了比纸质笔记本更有效的记录。LabTrove 方法为解决在朝着 ELN 的长期目标努力过程中所面临的紧张局势和挑战提供了一条途径。基于博客类型框架并具有完全访问控制的 Smart Research Framework 的电子实验室笔记本（ELN）系统 LabTrove，满足了可重复性、重用、重新定位和重新部署的科学实验记录要求。
