title: Analysis and Implementation of an Electronic Laboratory Notebook in a Biomedical Research Institute.
abstract: Electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) will probably replace paper laboratory notebooks (PLNs) in academic research due to their advantages in data recording, sharing and security. Despite several reports describing technical characteristics of ELNs and their advantages over PLNs, no study has directly tested ELN performance among researchers. In addition, the usage of tablet-based devices or wearable technology as ELN complements has never been explored in the field. To implement an ELN in our biomedical research institute, here we first present a technical comparison of six ELNs using 42 parameters. Based on this, we chose two ELNs, which were tested by 28 scientists for a 3-month period and by 80 students via hands-on practical exercises. Second, we provide two survey-based studies aimed to compare these two ELNs (PerkinElmer Elements and Microsoft OneNote) and to analyze the use of tablet-based devices. We finally explore the advantages of using wearable technology as ELNs tools. Among the ELNs tested, we found that OneNote presents almost all parameters evaluated (39/42) and both surveyed groups preferred OneNote as an ELN solution. In addition, 80% of the surveyed scientists reported that tablet-based devices improved the use of ELNs in different respects. We also describe the advantages of using OneNote application for Apple Watch as an ELN wearable complement. This work defines essential features of ELNs that could be used to improve ELN implementation and software development.
authors.affiliation: Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3473-7214
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gwendal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dujardin
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Andrade
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paz-Y-Miño
authors.affiliation: Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Indacochea
authors.affiliation: Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inglés-Ferrándiz
authors.affiliation: Gene Regulation, Stem Cells and Cancer Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Hima Priyanka
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Nadimpalli
authors.affiliation: Information and Communications Technology Department, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Collu
authors.affiliation: Information and Communications Technology Department, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dublanche
authors.affiliation: Information and Communications Technology Department, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Mingo
authors.affiliation: Information and Communications Technology Department, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.|Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Camargo
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes; D035843:Biomedical Research; D011996:Records; D012984:Software