What are the best practices for managing laboratory documentation in a socially responsible way?

2 Train and supervise staff

Another important step to manage laboratory documentation in a socially responsible way is to train and supervise your staff on the documentation standards and protocols that you have defined. This will help you to avoid errors, omissions, ambiguities, and inconsistencies in your documentation, and to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in your laboratory. You should also provide regular feedback and support to your staff, and monitor their compliance and performance with the documentation standards and protocols. By training and supervising your staff, you will enhance the competence and confidence of your team, and the credibility and reputation of your laboratory.

3 Use appropriate tools and formats

A third step to manage laboratory documentation in a socially responsible way is to use appropriate tools and formats that facilitate and improve your documentation process. These tools and formats should be suitable for the type, size, and complexity of your data and methods, and should enable you to store, organize, analyze, and communicate your information effectively and efficiently. Some examples of tools and formats that you can use are electronic laboratory notebooks, data management software, metadata standards, data repositories, and open access platforms. By using appropriate tools and formats, you will optimize the usability and accessibility of your laboratory documentation, and the interoperability and reusability of your data and methods.

5 Protect and backup documentation

A fifth step to manage laboratory documentation in a socially responsible way is to protect and backup your documentation from any potential risks or threats that may compromise its integrity, availability, or confidentiality. These risks or threats may include physical damage, theft, loss, unauthorized access, alteration, or deletion of your documentation. You should implement appropriate measures and procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to these risks or threats, such as encryption, authentication, authorization, logging, auditing, and recovery. You should also backup your documentation regularly and securely, and store it in multiple locations and formats. By protecting and backing up your documentation, you will safeguard the value and quality of your laboratory documentation, and the trust and respect of your research community.

6 Share and cite documentation

A sixth and final step to manage laboratory documentation in a socially responsible way is to share and cite your documentation with other researchers and stakeholders who may benefit from or contribute to your research. This will help you to disseminate and exchange your data and methods, and to enhance the visibility and impact of your research. You should also acknowledge and cite the sources and contributions of others who have influenced or supported your research, and respect their rights and interests. By sharing and citing your documentation, you will promote the openness and collaboration of your laboratory, and the advancement and innovation of your field.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?