by Kristin Briney and Anthony Salvagno We discuss the technical and philosophical merits of maintaining electronic/open notebooks. On the technical side we will discuss available tools and current best practices and confront issues of data management and long term archiving. Philosophically we debate the role that open notebooks may play in converting traditional scientists to adopting open access models, and the potential broader impacts they may have on the public perception of science. We hope to leave with better ideas of how to face challenges that electronic/open notebook scientists may face technologically, culturally, and professionally.

1. THE IMPACT OF
ELECTRONIC AND OPEN NOTEBOOKS
Kristin Briney & Anthony Salvagno

2. Pros of Electronic and Open Notebooks
Note taking and searching Open access
Adding external files Experiment transparency
Adding links between pages Scientific repeatability
Specialized plugins Measurable impact
Customizability Real-time peer review
Easier access Live collaboration
[Controlled] sharing Instant correction
Revision history log Increased science literacy
eSignatures Be a better scientist
Ability to export/backup

3. Discussion
How can we convince scientists to make the transition to open/electronic lab notebooks?
What are the best platforms for electronic and online lab notebooks?
What are the long term implications of keeping an open/electronic notebook?
What are the responsibilities of keeping an open notebook?
How do scientists deal with terms of service/ownership of research notes when sharing
online or storing them in the cloud?
How do researchers manage their first electronic notebooks to ensure information retention
as lab notebooks evolve?
Why are scientists so slow to embrace the open model?
Should scientists consider notebooks as a source of outreach?
Can open notebooks become an alternative source of publication?
Should electronic notebooks be treated the same way as the shared data which they
contain?
Would a network of open/electronic notebooks provide better access to information, ease
issues with storage/archiving, and create a greater sense of (open) community?
How do scientists, in general, protect their intellectual property?
When scientists do share data, are they using defined licences (CC-BY, etc) and which ones?