Enriching Scientific Research with Metadata: Electronic Lab Documentation Landscape at HZDR

For data publications a description as complete as possible for the data set creation is the goal. The more devices are involved the more parameters and settings have to be documented. Electronic lab documentation can support the user to reach that goal. It is more than just an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN). It is the integration into an ecosystem of different software. By connecting all the device interfaces all the parameters and settings can be automated documented. The scientist should enter values only once e.g. parameters in some experiment control software or project information at project proposal. Everything is collect and connected by the electronic lab documentation, which can be extended by manual notes. The documentation occurs in a structured manner, which makes the publication process easier, e.g. pre-fill from the project proposal. For the data publication the published data then includes not only the data and project information, it will be extended by all meta data known to the specific data set, which is linked within the electronic lab documentation.