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Electronic Research Notebooks: Transition to ERN

Record keeping is an essential part of effective data management, electronic research notebooks (ERNs) offer a digital approach to data collection.

Approaches to transition to ERNs

 

  • Start with a free platform before making a final decision
  • Newly established or relocated research groups can begin all students at one time on an ERN platform
  • Groups with students at a variety of levels should transition in a stepwise process
  • Students who will publish or graduate soon should complete their work in a paper notebook
  • New or temporary undergraduate students can easily use ERNs for short-term projects
  • Have one student pilot it and still keep a paper notebook
  • Ask one student to manage an ERN for all protocols and information that has been published
  • Ask the Chemistry Librarian to evaluate your group's workflows and suggest an ERN platform