Emilia Hawkins
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their Application
D: Understand how scientific information may be stored and communicated in a workplace
laboratory.
How workplace laboratories obtain and store large data sets.
Scientific information can be obtained from large data sets by using an oracle database called LIMS
(laboratory information management system). LIMS allows a workplace laboratory to input and
store data online rather than having it stored in paper form. This allows for the automation of
workflows, management of samples and a way to increase laboratory efficiency. Due to data being
stored online, it makes sure that accurate records of each sample are stored securely and prevents
data from being lost or mixed up. It therefore makes it easier to store important information such as
health and safety information, scientific data and training records. Records that are stored using
LIMS can be kept organised and can be easily accessed to anyone working for the company because
you don’t need to look through files and paperwork to find the information that is needed. Using
digital files to store information lowers the risk of data being lost or destroyed as it can be
electronically backed up and protected. An online system also makes it easier to compare your data
with other results and samples.
Alternatively, scientific information from workplace laboratories can be recorded and stored in a
notebook or on paper. Information can be manually recorded and easily written down based on
observations, investigations and experiments. Having large amounts information stored in physical
notebooks can make it difficult and time consuming to find exactly what is needed if it isn’t
organised well. They can also get damaged and lost more easily due to there not being a backup or
extra copy, which would cause problems for the company if important or large quantities of
information are lost. Storing large amounts of information can take up a large amount of space as
there may be large amounts of paper files. Paper documents are very fragile and have to be stored
in specific conditions in order to not get damaged. Therefore meaning it is easier and more reliable
to store information online using an online database.
Specimen or healthcare records would need to include the names of the clients along with the test
that is required to be carried out and the test results. Records similar to these contain confidential
and personal information and therefore need to be stored securely. These records shouldn’t be
accessed or shared with anyone other than an employee of the workplace or the company otherwise
it would do against the data protection act. It is important information is stored safely and correctly
as or the test could be considered invalid and it could lead to complications within the company.
LIMS can help with the processing of data sets by:
o Automatically assigning work to employees or team members.
o Suggesting which instruments should be used.
o Outlining any current rule systems to researchers.
o Letting staff know where samples should go next.
LIMS can also generate a barcode for initial sample data so it can be scanned by different employees
when more information is found and needs to be added. By scanning the barcode each employee
will get the most up to date information for that sample.
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their Application
D: Understand how scientific information may be stored and communicated in a workplace
laboratory.
How workplace laboratories obtain and store large data sets.
Scientific information can be obtained from large data sets by using an oracle database called LIMS
(laboratory information management system). LIMS allows a workplace laboratory to input and
store data online rather than having it stored in paper form. This allows for the automation of
workflows, management of samples and a way to increase laboratory efficiency. Due to data being
stored online, it makes sure that accurate records of each sample are stored securely and prevents
data from being lost or mixed up. It therefore makes it easier to store important information such as
health and safety information, scientific data and training records. Records that are stored using
LIMS can be kept organised and can be easily accessed to anyone working for the company because
you don’t need to look through files and paperwork to find the information that is needed. Using
digital files to store information lowers the risk of data being lost or destroyed as it can be
electronically backed up and protected. An online system also makes it easier to compare your data
with other results and samples.
Alternatively, scientific information from workplace laboratories can be recorded and stored in a
notebook or on paper. Information can be manually recorded and easily written down based on
observations, investigations and experiments. Having large amounts information stored in physical
notebooks can make it difficult and time consuming to find exactly what is needed if it isn’t
organised well. They can also get damaged and lost more easily due to there not being a backup or
extra copy, which would cause problems for the company if important or large quantities of
information are lost. Storing large amounts of information can take up a large amount of space as
there may be large amounts of paper files. Paper documents are very fragile and have to be stored
in specific conditions in order to not get damaged. Therefore meaning it is easier and more reliable
to store information online using an online database.
Specimen or healthcare records would need to include the names of the clients along with the test
that is required to be carried out and the test results. Records similar to these contain confidential
and personal information and therefore need to be stored securely. These records shouldn’t be
accessed or shared with anyone other than an employee of the workplace or the company otherwise
it would do against the data protection act. It is important information is stored safely and correctly
as or the test could be considered invalid and it could lead to complications within the company.
LIMS can help with the processing of data sets by:
o Automatically assigning work to employees or team members.
o Suggesting which instruments should be used.
o Outlining any current rule systems to researchers.
o Letting staff know where samples should go next.
LIMS can also generate a barcode for initial sample data so it can be scanned by different employees
when more information is found and needs to be added. By scanning the barcode each employee
will get the most up to date information for that sample.
