ELNs: Enabling data re-use with appropriate metadata documentation using the example of eLabFTW.

Abstract

To use research data successfully, associated metadata is essential. Often this information can be found in laboratory books and is not available in digital form. Sharing, digitalising and finding this metadata in physical lab notebooks is an additional workload for researchers. Digital lab notebooks (ELNs) such as the elabFTW software can solve some of these problems.

About Alexander Gruber

Alexander Gruber is RDM Officer in the RDM team at Graz University of Technology. His responsibilities include data stewardship (consulting, training, policy development, etc.) and project management support for FAIR Data Austria. His main focus is the development of training and introductory material on RDM topics and tools, especially an electronic lab notebook called eLabFTW. A programme for researchers interested in RDM, named Data Champions, is also part of his tasks. He has a Dipl.-Ing. (MSc) in Technical Physics from Graz University of Technology.