A Research Lab Manual Template

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Sarah

A Research Lab Manual Template provides guidance for key decisions involved in effectively managing a research lab environment. It establishes a framework of essential components, including core values, mentoring expectations, and standards for conduct. The manual emphasizes inclusive, respectful collaboration, careful and ethical science practices, and open, reproducible research. It also outlines general lab practices such as training requirements, human research ethics documentation, and ongoing review as a living document.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages19

Reading Time7 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Core Values

General Lab Practices

Training

Open Science

Knowledge Mobilization & Impact

Record-keeping

Social Activities

Other items

Lab and Individual Meetings

Lab and Office Space

Lab Communication

Slack Channels

Basecamp

Wiki

Website

Calendar

Conferences

Research Design

Writing and Authorship

Expectations and Roles

Supervisor Role

Research Assistants and Volunteers

Honours Students

MSc Students

PhD Students

Postdocs and staff scientists

Thanks

Appendix I

Appendix II

A Research Lab Manual Template This template and the accompanying guidelines provide general guidance on important decisions for your lab and offer a framework for essential components to consider in the effective management of your research environment. Review all comments, they provide explanations and suggestions. [The sections in square brackets are guidance or are to be replaced for your own use – they should all be removed/replaced as you develop your own manual from this]. Note that this is intended to be a living document, you should review it at least annually. Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642114" 1. Introduction PAGEREF _Toc50642114 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642115" 1.1 Core Values PAGEREF _Toc50642115 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642116" 2. General Lab Practices PAGEREF _Toc50642116 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642117" 2.1 Training PAGEREF _Toc50642117 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642118" 2.2 Open Science PAGEREF _Toc50642118 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642119" 2.3 Knowledge Mobilization & Impact PAGEREF _Toc50642119 \h 6 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642120" 2.4 Record-keeping PAGEREF _Toc50642120 \h 6 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642121" 2.5 Social Activities PAGEREF _Toc50642121 \h 6 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642122" 2.6 Other items PAGEREF _Toc50642122 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642123" 3. Lab and Individual Meetings PAGEREF _Toc50642123 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642124" 4. Lab and Office Space PAGEREF _Toc50642124 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642125" 5. Lab Communication PAGEREF _Toc50642125 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642126" 5.1 Slack Channels PAGEREF _Toc50642126 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642127" 5.2 Basecamp PAGEREF _Toc50642127 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642128" 5.3 Wiki PAGEREF _Toc50642128 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642129" 5.4 Website PAGEREF _Toc50642129 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642130" 5.5 Email PAGEREF _Toc50642130 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642131" 5.6 Calendar PAGEREF _Toc50642131 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642132" 6. Conferences PAGEREF _Toc50642132 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642133" 7. Research Design PAGEREF _Toc50642133 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642134" 8. Writing and Authorship PAGEREF _Toc50642134 \h 10 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642135" 9. Expectations and Roles PAGEREF _Toc50642135 \h 11 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642136" 9.1 Supervisor Role PAGEREF _Toc50642136 \h 11 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642137" 9.2 Research Assistants and Volunteers PAGEREF _Toc50642137 \h 12 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642138" 9.3 Honours Students PAGEREF _Toc50642138 \h 12 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642139" 9.4 MSc Students PAGEREF _Toc50642139 \h 12 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642140" 9.5 PhD Students PAGEREF _Toc50642140 \h 14 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642141" 9.6 Postdocs and staff scientists PAGEREF _Toc50642141 \h 15 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642142" 10. Thanks PAGEREF _Toc50642142 \h 16 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642143" Appendix I PAGEREF _Toc50642143 \h 17 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc50642144" Appendix II PAGEREF _Toc50642144 \h 18 Introduction This document summarizes the expectations for students and trainees, it outlines the various roles within the lab and it describes how the lab works. [Insert an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement here.] [Insert equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) vision/mission statement here.] We are called [name]. We are part of [Department and Faculty etc.] at Western. Core Values Here are our core values about mentoring and science. We value equity, diversity and inclusion in this lab and in what we do. We are committed to ensuring that everyone is respected and treated fairly and is able to engage in learning and discovery. The opinions and insights of trainees and collaborators are valued. We value each other’s career decisions and eventual success in whatever field that might be - academia, industry or elsewhere. We value int

FAQs

What is the purpose of the research lab manual template?

It summarizes expectations for students and trainees, outlines lab roles, and explains how the lab operates. It also provides a framework for essential components to support effective lab management.

What core values does the manual emphasize?

The manual highlights equity, diversity and inclusion, respect among members, and the value of trainees’ input. It also stresses careful analysis, thorough record-keeping, good writing, and open, reproducible science.

What training and ethics documentation are required for lab members?

Lab members complete required training upon joining and annually thereafter. Study team members working on projects submitted to human research ethics boards must provide evidence of human research ethics training completion (e.g., TCPS2 CORE or CITI) before starting study-related activities.

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Sarah