While there are benefits to having large data sets, it also comes with potential issues. Security of the
data stored in the large databases may be compromised. For example, if unauthorised access to
patient data was gained, this further puts the data at risk to breaches and misuse. In addition,
storing, processing and analysing large data sets is resource demanding as the organisations which
have large data sets require sufficient cloud storage, internet connection and power which are
expensive to maintain.
The information can be either software, hardware, or a combination of both.
In a laboratory of Nottingham College, day to day recording systems involve the use of computer
software (e.g. teams, word and One drive), notebooks, graphs and worksheets (paper). However,
computer software is primarily used to store this information. This allows data accuracy,
reproducibility of results (e.g. on a table), improvements to be made based on results of data
recorded, legal and ethical compliance (from the recording of regulations within the laboratory) and
optimisation of the use of resources. The information recorded may include:
Experiment procedures and observations
Sample information
Equipment information (usage, quality, and maintenance)
Safety and regulatory protocols - to show who is responsible for reporting any incidents if
necessary.
Communication records (e.g. teams)
Inventory (materials, equipment, expiration dates, storage conditions, orders placed)
Record of changes (e.g. changes made to operating procedures or regulations)
COSHH records – to ensure that the organisation is aware of health and safety hazards and
risks of substance being used.
Software data:
In a lab, data stored on a software means the information is available to be viewed on a computer. It
is typically stored in a cloud software.
Cloud storage – data stored in a cloud allows users to access their data from any device or location at
any time as long as they have an internet connection as it is backed up to the online cloud storage
service. It can be stored in any online application such as files, word documents, one drive, etc.
Software data
Advantages Disadvantages
Can be backed up to prevent data loss Large data costs due to the need of storage
space
Can easily be accessed no matter the location. Requires an internet connection at all times,
adding to data costs required to access the
internet
Easily organised information Software requires training to be used
Environmentally friendly Devices used for software data storage are
expensive
Easy to read and mistakes (e.g. spelling errors Data breaches may occur, and the computer
can be easily fixed) could get a virus, files could be deleted.
1
, Hardware data:
In a lab, when data is stored on hardware, it is typically recorded on paper. This means that there are
physical copies of the information that is either handwritten, printed, or drawn.
Hardware Data
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to handle, requires no training Handwriting may be illegible
Cheap Not environmentally friendly to trees
Reliable as signatures are easily obtainable, Data recorded can easily be lost/ destroyed or
allowing traceability. mixed up with other files and they are
unrecoverable
No internet connection required and are easily Physical copies require extra space within the
transportable. They do not have to be charge facility and too much data becomes hard to
unlike devices that are used for software data. manage.
In the laboratory of Nottingham College, the information collected on LIMS can be transformed into
documents for a variety of benefits:
Experiment procedures and observations:
Students take part in practicals every day. They have to follow strict instructions as the
chemicals used in the lab can potentially cause hazards such as, fires, explosions, corrosions
or even be carcinogenic. The data on the regulations and precautions of the practical
available on LIMS for staff, allows them to easily access the procedure and regulations of the
practical which helps to prevent the risk of these hazards occurring. Students are also
required to collect raw data based on their observations, measurements, and results. This
provides them with information which validates their observation, to complete the
assignment they are issued based on the practical they had completed as their results are
readily available and they do not have to try and guess what they had done. The data can
then be stored on softwares such as a Microsoft word account, provided by the college
which can be accessed on any device at any time, provided they have an internet
connection. Staff can also benefit from this data as they do not have to remember
everything to do with the practical as the instructions are readily available to them. In
addition, the systems and procedures of future practicals can be adapted based on the
historical data provided, reducing the likelihood of hazards occurring.
Sample information:
Information which is collected from samples such as the date they were created, what they
contain, and how they were prepared, helps lab technicians to identify the origin of the
sample and the chemicals or what chemicals are safe to use and how to handle them safely
and if the supply needs to be updated. This information being stored on a LIMS allows all lab
technicians to be able to access the data they need on all their devices without having to
find physical files on which chemicals are which as there can be many different types which
are used in a college laboratory. All chemicals can be looked up on the LIMS software,
providing information on them which saves time for the lab technician rather than having to
look for individual physical files for the chemical they need. In addition, unique sample
2
data stored in the large databases may be compromised. For example, if unauthorised access to
patient data was gained, this further puts the data at risk to breaches and misuse. In addition,
storing, processing and analysing large data sets is resource demanding as the organisations which
have large data sets require sufficient cloud storage, internet connection and power which are
expensive to maintain.
The information can be either software, hardware, or a combination of both.
In a laboratory of Nottingham College, day to day recording systems involve the use of computer
software (e.g. teams, word and One drive), notebooks, graphs and worksheets (paper). However,
computer software is primarily used to store this information. This allows data accuracy,
reproducibility of results (e.g. on a table), improvements to be made based on results of data
recorded, legal and ethical compliance (from the recording of regulations within the laboratory) and
optimisation of the use of resources. The information recorded may include:
Experiment procedures and observations
Sample information
Equipment information (usage, quality, and maintenance)
Safety and regulatory protocols - to show who is responsible for reporting any incidents if
necessary.
Communication records (e.g. teams)
Inventory (materials, equipment, expiration dates, storage conditions, orders placed)
Record of changes (e.g. changes made to operating procedures or regulations)
COSHH records – to ensure that the organisation is aware of health and safety hazards and
risks of substance being used.
Software data:
In a lab, data stored on a software means the information is available to be viewed on a computer. It
is typically stored in a cloud software.
Cloud storage – data stored in a cloud allows users to access their data from any device or location at
any time as long as they have an internet connection as it is backed up to the online cloud storage
service. It can be stored in any online application such as files, word documents, one drive, etc.
Software data
Advantages Disadvantages
Can be backed up to prevent data loss Large data costs due to the need of storage
space
Can easily be accessed no matter the location. Requires an internet connection at all times,
adding to data costs required to access the
internet
Easily organised information Software requires training to be used
Environmentally friendly Devices used for software data storage are
expensive
Easy to read and mistakes (e.g. spelling errors Data breaches may occur, and the computer
can be easily fixed) could get a virus, files could be deleted.
1
, Hardware data:
In a lab, when data is stored on hardware, it is typically recorded on paper. This means that there are
physical copies of the information that is either handwritten, printed, or drawn.
Hardware Data
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to handle, requires no training Handwriting may be illegible
Cheap Not environmentally friendly to trees
Reliable as signatures are easily obtainable, Data recorded can easily be lost/ destroyed or
allowing traceability. mixed up with other files and they are
unrecoverable
No internet connection required and are easily Physical copies require extra space within the
transportable. They do not have to be charge facility and too much data becomes hard to
unlike devices that are used for software data. manage.
In the laboratory of Nottingham College, the information collected on LIMS can be transformed into
documents for a variety of benefits:
Experiment procedures and observations:
Students take part in practicals every day. They have to follow strict instructions as the
chemicals used in the lab can potentially cause hazards such as, fires, explosions, corrosions
or even be carcinogenic. The data on the regulations and precautions of the practical
available on LIMS for staff, allows them to easily access the procedure and regulations of the
practical which helps to prevent the risk of these hazards occurring. Students are also
required to collect raw data based on their observations, measurements, and results. This
provides them with information which validates their observation, to complete the
assignment they are issued based on the practical they had completed as their results are
readily available and they do not have to try and guess what they had done. The data can
then be stored on softwares such as a Microsoft word account, provided by the college
which can be accessed on any device at any time, provided they have an internet
connection. Staff can also benefit from this data as they do not have to remember
everything to do with the practical as the instructions are readily available to them. In
addition, the systems and procedures of future practicals can be adapted based on the
historical data provided, reducing the likelihood of hazards occurring.
Sample information:
Information which is collected from samples such as the date they were created, what they
contain, and how they were prepared, helps lab technicians to identify the origin of the
sample and the chemicals or what chemicals are safe to use and how to handle them safely
and if the supply needs to be updated. This information being stored on a LIMS allows all lab
technicians to be able to access the data they need on all their devices without having to
find physical files on which chemicals are which as there can be many different types which
are used in a college laboratory. All chemicals can be looked up on the LIMS software,
providing information on them which saves time for the lab technician rather than having to
look for individual physical files for the chemical they need. In addition, unique sample
2
