Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs) as key enablers of open science : open science monitor case study

This case study explores the reasons behind this limited uptake, identifying the drivers that can be exploited and the impact that ELNs are having on research practices and open science. Finally, the case study will discuss what has to be considered in the future to help increase the uptake of these solutions as a tool to help further promote Open Science. Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs) are now widely available and have evolved over time to become multi-functional data managers that are able to import data, notes and observations from other devices. The digital nature of ELNs and the different benefits that they offer to researchers suggest that, when properly used, ELNs can help to promote the implementation of the FAIR data principles for scientific data management and stewardship and open science that aim to make scientific data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable. Despite these benefits, their use still remains modest amongst the research community. This is due to many different factors such as complexity of use, cost and accessibility of ELNs.