Effects of using structured templates for recalling chemistry experiments

Abstract

BackgroundThe way that we recall information is dependent upon both the knowledge in our memories and the conditions under which we recall the information. Electronic Laboratory Notebooks can provide a structured interface for the capture of experiment records through the use of forms and templates. These templates can be useful by providing cues to help researchers to remember to record particular aspects of their experiment, but they may also constrain the information that is recorded by encouraging them to record only what is asked for. It is therefore unknown whether using structured templates for capturing experiment records will have positive or negative effects on the quality and usefulness of the records for assessment and future use. In this paper we report on the results of a set of studies investigating the effects of different template designs on the recording of experiments by undergraduate students and academic researchers.ResultsThe results indicate that using structured templates to write up experiments does make a significant difference to the information that is recalled and recorded. These differences have both positive and negative effects, with templates prompting the capture of specific information that is otherwise forgotten, but also apparently losing some of the personal elements of the experiment experience such as observations and explanations. Other unexpected effects were seen with templates that can change the information that is captured, but also interfere with the way an experiment is conducted.ConclusionsOur results showed that using structured templates can improve the completeness of the experiment context information captured but can also cause a loss of personal elements of the experiment experience when compared with allowing the researcher to structure their own record. The results suggest that interfaces for recording information about chemistry experiments, whether paper-based questionnaires or templates in Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, can be an effective way to improve the quality of experiment write-ups, but that care needs to be taken to ensure that the correct cues are provided.Graphical abstractScientists have traditionally recorded their research in paper notebooks, a format that provides great flexibility for capturing information. In contrast, Electronic Laboratory Notebooks frequently make use of forms or structured templates for capturing experiment records. Structured templates can provide cues that can improve record quality by increasing the amount of information captured and encouraging consistency. However, using the wrong cues can lead to a loss of personal elements of the experiment experience and frustrate users. This image shows two participants from one of our studies recording their experiment using a computer-based templateElectronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13321-016-0118-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

LabInform ELN: A lightweight and flexible electronic laboratory notebook for academic research based on the open-source software DokuWiki

“…Of course, including images and other media files is a necessary requirement, but the ELN should allow for including and storing structured information (e.g., key-value pairs) as well that can ideally be accessed digitally via an application programming interface (API). From own and others' experience, creating new pages should be templatebased [52], and the templates used be easily adjustable from within the ELN not needing to resort to (external) programmers or technical administrators. Depending on the context, it is a (legal) requirement of an ELN to comply with auditing requirements.…”

Data management matters

“…The requested information is effectively and consistently recorded, but some information that would have been recorded with a less formal structure can sometimes be lost. 25 In either case, without adequate documentation, a full understanding of the data cannot be gained.…”

Creating Context for the Experiment Record. User-Defined Metadata: Investigations into Metadata Usage in the LabTrove ELN

“…In order to help determine what the most effective structures are for templates or profiles and what the best questions to ask in invitations might be, we are currently investigating how different structures and questions can affect what information researchers record for both experiments and metadata. , …”