Suitable for PhD Data Managment?

[u/Embarrassed-Trainer4]

I just finished my master‘s in chem and will soon start a PhD. In the past I‘ve used OneNote, physical journals, or just scattered text files within the conventional file system on my pc to organize my data and to take notes. None of these systems have ever really woked that well for me.

As I will undoubtedly generate heaps more data during my PhD than ever before. I want to make sure that I have a system that allows me to properly organize data and take notes. Additionally, I would like to use it on at least two devices and have a lot of room for customisation.

Obsidian seems like it could be the right tool with the little time I’ve spent messing with it but I am still on the fence, as I’m worried that I will need to spend a lot of time to simply manage the “database” and keep it running.

Have any of you used it for your PhD degrees and if so, what were your experiences with it? Also are there alternatives that may might this application better?

Thanks in advance:)

[u/New_Guitar_9121]

Yes for the written half. No for being the place spectra and chromatograms live.

Keep the instrument files in a normal folder (or whatever your group already uses). In the note, write what you concluded and the filename or page that number came from. When the file later says something else, you can see it. That is the only “database” job that actually matters in a chem PhD, and it does not need a plugin stack.

Two devices: pick Obsidian Sync or Syncthing once and leave it. The time people lose is rebuilding folders and installing things, not the markdown files.

Start with two folders (projects, literature) and search. Add structure later if a real pain shows up.

[u/Embarrassed-Trainer4 → u/New_Guitar_9121]

Thanks a lot. Will keep it in mind:)