Easy data template, analysis and presentation tools for complex ...

Results
An excel file was developed in a series of steps with simple formulae to make data entry and record keeping
simpler for multiparametric cell culture studies. Also, a single table format was developed which can serve
as a template for simultaneous data entry, result representation and analysis of multiple parameters involved
in cell culture studies.
Discussion
Cell cultures offer with excellent in vitro experimental models and should be well standardized for useful
study results. [5] Standardization of the optimal cell types and the culture types/conditions require multiple
experimental variables. Data analysis and interpretation is the most important and critical part of education
and research. The raw data obtained from experiments should be presented in an organized manner so that
useful information can be extracted from it. The excel template we describe here serves the required
purpose of easy data entry along with maximum information as obtained in the final template. Also, the
results obtained from all the variables/combinations of the variables could be entered into the single table
format that we describe here. The advantages of these two tools (the excel template and the single table
format) is requirement of less time, less confusion, less error and inclusion of maximum data. In addition, the
formats are flexible to suit a variety of experimental circumstances. These inputs are designed to refine and
distill the data so that students and researchers can glean interesting/pertinent information without the need
to sort through voluminous data or a number of single entities such as graphs and tables.
Conclusion
Science education is a combination of imparting information, instilling the need for an analysis, asking the
right questions and to choose the right approach thus contributing towards knowledge enhancement. In all
areas of life sciences, basic research is a vital part of science education. Cell cultures owing to their
immense potentials for both teaching and learning have become important components in science curricula
globally. Data analysis and interpretation is the critical part of any research which involves multiple
parameters and numerous variables. The cell culture plate template designed using MS Excel and table
generated using MS Word that are described here present dense data in a simplified form. The generated
data could be inspected, transformed and modeled with the useful and most pertinent information
highlighted. These are intended to considerably reduce the complexity of data record keeping, presentation
of the study design, analysis of results and sharing of the research findings. These tools can be very useful
for both learning and teaching for practical education in biological sciences.
References:
[1] R. I. Freshney, A. R. Liss (1994) Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, 3rd ed., New
York, Blackwell Publishing.
[2] Adi F. Gazdar, Girard Luc, Lockwood William W., Wan L. Lam and John D. Minna (2010) Lung cancer
cell lines as tools for biomedical discovery and research, J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 102, 1310–1321.
[3] D. Z. Meyer, L. M. Avery (2009) Excel as a qualitative data analysis tool, Field Method. 21, 91–112.
[4] M W. Lehman, C E. Herring (2003) Creating interactive spreadsheets to provide immediate feedback, J.
Account. Educ. 21, 327–337.
[5] J. H. Dunham, P. Guthmiller (2008). Doing good science: authenticating cell line identity, Cell Notice. 22,
15–17.
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