A researcher performed a lengthy experiment regarding the properties of plasma in a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition reactor. He hadn’t saved the most recent data of the measurement as a theoretician of the project came to visit the lab and to discuss his models. The visitor pressed a key on the keyboard and deleted the latest test measurement data by accident. Fortunately, only one measurement point of the measurement series was lost so that they were still usable for the study. The lost data, however, could not be restored.

The story shows that data should be saved and backed-up as soon as possible to prevent data loss. In addition, distractions should be avoided during the documentation and saving of data to prevent errors.