A quick guide for using Microsoft OneNote as an electronic laboratory notebook

Abstract

Scientific data recording and reporting systems are of a great interest for endorsing reproducibility and transparency practices among the scientific community. Current research generates large datasets that can no longer be documented using paper lab notebooks (PLNs). In this regard, electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) could be a promising solution to replace PLNs and promote scientific reproducibility and transparency. We previously analyzed five ELNs and performed two survey-based studies to implement an ELN in a biomedical research institute. Among the ELNs tested, we found that Microsoft OneNote presents numerous features related to ELN best functionalities. In addition, both surveyed groups preferred OneNote over a scientifically designed ELN (PerkinElmer Elements). However, OneNote remains a general note-taking application and has not been designed for scientific purposes. We therefore provide a quick guide to adapt OneNote to an ELN workflow that can also be adjusted to other nonscientific ELNs.

Microsoft OneNote provides continuity for undergraduate biochemistry lab during a pandemic

“…Historically students and researchers have used paper lab notebooks (PLNs) but with the advent of many options for ELNs an increasing majority of academic and industrial labs are moving away from PLNs 1,2 . Out of the many options for ELNs, OneNote stands out as a solid option to use for undergraduate lab reports 3–8 . With minimal amount of faculty setup OneNote has been an excellent ELN for my biochemistry I and II labs and has been well received by my students.…”

Laboratory Notebooks and Data Storage

“…Currently, there are an enormous variety of electronic laboratory notebooks and strategies using mobile applications, combination cloud-based web apps, and enterprise systems, to just name a few (Table 2; Kwok, 2018;Gallagher, 2019; also see Internet Resources for LIMS Wiki and Harvard Medical School). Many research groups have also adapted existing software platforms such as Microsoft OneNote (e.g., Guerrero et al, 2019) for a hybrid model of hardbound and printed data photographed and sent to OneNote after signoff. An ELN can be viewed as the electronic equivalent of a hardcopy research notebook.…”

The Use of Mobile Applications in Research

“…An ELN can be tailored to the organization: fully integrated enterprise‐wide laboratory notebooks may be more appropriate for high‐volume, large‐data experimental research and development in industry (e.g., see Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques article Williams, Bozyczko‐Coyne, Dorsey, & Larsen, ), while for smaller academic laboratories and research groups, there are a variety of lower‐cost and more flexible options. These include an ELN such as Hivebench; an ELN adapted from OneNote (Guerrero et al., ; Kwok, ); or use of Evernote or Google Docs; the smart‐phone camera can be used for documentation and transfer of image to an ELN or to prepare a printout for a paper notebook. Open Science Framework (see Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques article Sullivan et al., ) is unique in creating a web‐based ELN for tracking the experiments not only from conception to completion, but also for open and transparent review of all phases of the experiment by the scientific community, thus providing outside detailed feedback on the experimental design, data, and conclusions.…”

“…In recent years, there has been a strong development of electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) services (e.g., Guerrero et al., , ; Kwok, ; Sullivan, DeHaven, & Mellor, ) for creating a digital workflow for academic and commercial research and development activities (Table ). It is particularly relevant where intellectual property or regulatory requirements require a documented, secure, and archived strategy for retaining primary data as well as the analytical results and outcome of experimentation.…”

“…Paper notebooks are appealing for a variety of reasons as well, such as the ability to quickly track changes or observations with handwritten notes. These can be copied via the camera app on your phone and transferred to a secure ELN such as OneNote, LabArchives, HiveBench, Open Science Framework, or ELN‐adapted OneNote (Guerrero et al., , ; Kwok, ; Table ). Planning should be updated with project‐management tools such as Asana or Basecamp.…”