Indiana University School of Medicine Office of Research Affairs announced the availability of an electronic lab notebook system early last year, in order to enhance collaboration and provide a digital alternative to paper notebooks in research labs. The electronic lab notebook licensed by IU School of Medicine, known as LabArchives, is freely available to students, faculty, and staff at IU School of Medicine.
Erin Foster, MLS, is the Data Services Librarian at IU School of Medicine. She says the availability of LabArchives gives labs an opportunity to streamline their data management practices. Use of an electronic lab notebook can also encourage better communication between lab members.
Prior to LabArchives, IU School of Medicine did not offer an approved electronic lab notebook system for use. Foster says the IU School of Medicine’s commitment to the project has helped with adoption.
“The principal investigators that volunteered as early adopters were invaluable to the success of this initiative,” said Foster. “It’s been a really nice group effort. We started with 136 LabArchives users in April 2019 and now we have over 400.”
Carmel Egan, PhD, Associate Dean of Research Affairs, also expressed her enthusiasm about the transition from paper to electronic lab notebooks.
“LabArchives at IU School of Medicine has given us another opportunity to enhance research efficiency here at the school,” said Egan. “It’s a significant improvement, and it allows the talented lab researchers to readily document lab results and optimize rigor in documentation overall.”
LabArchives is also available to faculty, staff, and students on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus. There are just over 100 users in Bloomington, and over 300 at IU School of Medicine across all campuses. All researchers are encouraged to take advantage of this free resource.
