Research software and infrastructure

A full-stack research operations platform with an integrated LaTeX writing environment.

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Designed and built independently

Architecture, database design, authentication, writing tools, admin workflows, UX, deployment planning and ongoing development.

Purpose

Why ProtocolDock belongs on this site

ProtocolDock is a full-stack research operations platform with an integrated LaTeX writing environment, project and file management, participant and ethics workflows, version history, collaboration tools, analysis support, and administrative tooling. I am the sole developer, responsible for the architecture, database design, implementation, interface design, deployment planning, and ongoing development.

Here, it is presented as part of my research profile rather than as a detached commercial advert. It shows practical research software development, infrastructure thinking, and a sustained attempt to make research workflows more organised, auditable, and usable.

Problem

The workflow gap

Research materials scatter

Protocols, drafts, ethics materials, consent forms, exports and notes often end up in disconnected folders and duplicated files.

Writing is separated from workflow

Academic writing tools rarely sit cleanly beside project records, file management, version history and governance documentation.

Small teams need structure

Many researchers need enough structure to stay organised without adopting heavy institutional systems that do far more than they need.

Build

What I built

LaTeX writing

In-browser LaTeX projects with multi-file management, PDF compilation, citation support, source ZIP export, templates and version history.

Research organisation

Structured project areas for protocols, files, documentation, notes, templates, study records and research workflows.

Governance support

Tools for ethics records, consent materials, project documentation, audit-style history and cleaner research administration.

Collaboration workflow

Collaborator access, non-editable review routes, persistent compiled PDFs, comments, and owner-facing review visibility.

Operational admin

Account tiers, institutional bundles, user management, maintenance alerts, messaging controls and platform administration.

JavaScript task builder

A self-contained browser-based route for building and running research tasks, including usage-limited free data collection for early projects, pilots and smaller studies.

Forms and screening

Branching forms, eligibility screening, consent steps, participant-facing routes and structured project records before a task or study is launched.

Data collection workflow

Participant-facing task links, consent linkage, study records, CSV exports, task metadata, and project-level organisation for collected materials and outputs.

Researcher experience

A practical interface designed around real research work rather than abstract productivity features.

Conceptual workflow

ProtocolDock workflow map

A cluster-based schematic showing how ProtocolDock links task building, data collection, writing, governance, collaboration and outputs around a single project record.

ProtocolDock interlinked cluster workflow map A conceptual workflow map with interlinked clusters for Build and collect, Write and review, Governance and administration, and linked outputs around a central ProtocolDock workspace. direct workflow link support / traceability A. Build and collect Self-contained study and data-collection route B. Write and review Manuscript, PDF, source and review workflow C. Governance and administration Ethics, consent, access, audit trail and operational control D. Linked outputs Study, writing, governance and operational packages ProtocolDock workspace single project record files, notes, versions governance links Study setup protocol, materials Consent versions, linkage Forms branching + screening JavaScript task browser task builder Participant route free limited collection Study output CSV + metadata LaTeX editor files, assets, spellcheck Citations BibLaTeX, references Compile PDF preview, errors Review comments, access Writing output PDF + source ZIP Version trace snapshots, restores study record, consent and eligibility remain linked writing, review and outputs can preserve study materials Ethics record approvals, amendments Consent history what was shown Audit trail major edits, compiles Roles + admin access, seats, alerts Study package CSVs, forms, metadata Writing package PDF, source, refs Governance package ethics, access, audit Operational package tiers, alerts, admin Interlinked clusters: the workspace is the hub, while build, write, governance and outputs remain connected rather than becoming separate folders.

A. Build and collect

Self-contained study and data-collection route.

Study setup
protocol, materials
Consent
versions, linkage
Forms
branching + screening
JavaScript task
browser task builder
Participant route
free limited collection
Study output
CSV + metadata
ProtocolDock workspace single project record · files · notes · versions · governance links

B. Write and review

Manuscript, PDF, source and review workflow.

LaTeX editor
files, assets, spellcheck
Citations
BibLaTeX, references
Compile
PDF preview, errors
Review
comments, access
Writing output
PDF + source ZIP
Version trace
snapshots, restores

C. Governance and administration

Ethics, consent, access, audit trail and operational control.

Ethics record
approvals, amendments
Consent history
what was shown
Audit trail
major edits, compiles
Roles + admin
access, seats, alerts

D. Linked outputs

Study, writing, governance and operational packages remain connected to the same project record.

Study package
CSVs, forms, metadata
Writing package
PDF, source, refs
Governance package
ethics, access, audit
Operational package
tiers, alerts, admin
Technical stack

Full-stack development

Frontend

React 18ViteTailwind CSSTanStack QueryCodeMirror 6

Backend

Node.jsExpressPrisma ORMPostgreSQLJWT Auth

Writing engine

pdflatexxelatexlualatexlatexmkbiber

Visit ProtocolDock

The platform is live and under active development. The external site presents the product; this page records the project as research software and technical work.

Go to ProtocolDock