RSpace (software provided by ResearchSpace) is an online tool that allows researchers and students to effectively document their research progress.

Ghent University is implementing the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) RSpace.

Other ELN tools are not supported by DICT.

When to use?

You can use Lab Notebooks for reporting purposes, but they also serve as evidence when there is discussion about the ownership of certain research findings. They then prove who did what in a project, and when. See also this Tech Transfer page (UGent intranet). Besides:

• the notebook gives you a complete chronological overview of your experiments
• provides the necessary information to the person who will continue your research project. Other future members of the research group can then repeat and extend your experiments.

When you want to manage samples in the ‘inventory’ module, you can use the ELN. Note that chemicals should be managed in M-CHEM.

Other solutions for keeping track of research progress are described on the RDM webpages.

Getting started with RSpace

• Review the information in the section ‘Log in’ about account creation and becoming a member of a Lab Group. 
• Go to documentation.researchspace.com, the online platform where you can access tutorials and guidance for using RSpace. 

Log in

1. Create an RSpace account by logging in to researchspace.ugent.be via Single Sign-On using your UGent account and password. This is always the first step. 
2. After creating your RSpace account, you need to be added to a research team i.e. ‘Lab Group’ in the application.
   • As a researcher or student, contact the responsible or group admin of your research team to be added to the Lab Group. 
   • As a PI you can request and manage a new group and add members. We recommend having an additional group admin, to delegate the group management. Use this form to request a new Lab Group.

Privacy and security (GDPR)

Processing research data often includes processing of personal data. In which case you need to take into account the GDPR legislation. Ghent University and ResearchSpace have agreed upon privacy and security requirements in a Data Processing Agreement. The data in the ELN are stored in Europe and ResearchSpace meets several important international standards for continuity and privacy, https://www.researchspace.com/privacy-policy. 

'GDPR compliant’ also implies a correct usage of the tool. It is possible to use a GDPR compliant tool (such as RSpace) in an incorrect manner, whereby you compromise the GDPR basic principles yourself.  

Do not forget to register all personal data processing activities in the Ghent University GDPR register.  

Recorded training sessions

Internal info session:

• RSpace, how to use this ELN at Ghent University: slides and demo recording (20 min, UGent only)

Links to recorded training sessions by ResearchSpace instructor (for UGent only), 90 minutes each:

• Basic training
• Advanced training
• Inventory training

Support

Do you need help?

• Check out the online guidance at documentation.researchspace.com
• If you have questions about using RSpace, or you encounter errors or bugs, contact the RSpace helpdesk at support@researchspace.com 
• If you have questions specific to the setup for UGent, contact the RSpace helpdesk of UGent at helpdesk.rspace@ugent.be
• For questions about data management or the collection of personal data, contact the Ghent University data stewards via rdm.support@ugent.be, or check out our RDM website