Chapter 2. Motivations for Record-keeping

The scientific record is comprised of both the published results of scientific activities in the form of journal articles, books, and reports, but equally significant are the day-to-day records kept by researchers. In this chapter, we look at the ‘inscription’ behaviours of scientists and the development of record-keeping in the sciences. We also investigate the principle motivations for taking notes in science, who uses them, and their importance for enabling trust in science by facilitating reproducibility. In this chapter, we also take an in-depth look at the role of memory in note-taking. Understanding how memory works can inform how we design digital tools to support scientists and better capture the scientific record for the future. We explore how knowledge is stored in our minds and what influences our ability to remember and recall that knowledge. We also look at how different factors can change the information in our memories and what we recall when prompted.