This section focuses on the electronic lab notebook (ELN) functionality available in Labstep. Here, you will discover how to utilise the ELN to produce comprehensive lab reports, record experimental data in real time, and incorporate notes and annotations into your experiments.

Labstep offers more than just electronic lab notebook (ELN) functionality. Along with the Protocol Library and Experiments modules, Labstep provides a comprehensive platform for writing SOPs, conducting experiments, and collecting data efficiently. With Labstep's centralised platform, you no longer need to work with different tools to perform the same tasks, which can quickly become outdated. Labstep is a cloud-based platform that operates in real-time, allowing for easy collaboration between team members regardless of their location. Additionally, Labstep's audit trail provides traceability, making it easy to see what others are doing, when and where, which is impossible with traditional paper notebooks.

The Labstep platform has 5 modules: Experiments, Protocol Library, Inventory, Order Management, Instruments & Devices. Each of these modules helps you optimise your workflow and streamline your research. They are all part of the central hub research environment called a Workspace. We recommend creating a workspace for things like research projects or lab groups within an organisation.

This is where you compile a summary of your work and findings. This usually follows the standard structure of a research paper– abstract, introduction etc. Additionally, you can add interactive elements such as Data fields to capture data seamlessly.

This is where you'll find your protocols, which can be used for your SOPs. Use these to prepare your experiments and document repeated tasks such as "Sample preparation, blocking and staining".

This module helps you keep accurate records of what you use in your research and connects it to what you have in the lab. From tracking sample lineage to performing stock checks, the Inventory module will assist you in closing the gap between inventory and research.

This is where you can manage order requests when an item has run out and track your upcoming orders with different statuses to help you see through the entire ordering journey from "Requested" to "Received". Once the order has been received, you can (digitally) add the new items to your Inventory in just a few clicks!

This is where you can add the data-producing and non-data-producing devices you use in your research. You can track their metadata, such as "Last Service Date", book them off and, most importantly, automatically fetch data from them to add to your experiments.

This is where you can set up your research environment as you want. You can add and remove members and set their permissions. Additionally, you can set default templates for Experiments and Orders and set up Auto-sharing rules. Lastly, you can control what notifications you want to receive and always export your work!

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This lesson is part of the "Labstep 101: Everything you need to know to get started" course. View all lessons here.