Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency in Shared Research Resources: Follow-Up Survey and Recommendations for Improvements

Andrew W Ott; Katia Sol-Church; Gauravi M Deshpande; Kevin L Knudtson; Susan M Meyn; Sheenah M Mische; Douglas J Taatjes; Michael R Sturges; Christopher W Gregory

doi:10.7171/3fc1f5fe.fa789303

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Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency in Shared Research Resources: Follow-Up Survey and Recommendations for Improvements

Journal article

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Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency in Shared Research Resources: Follow-Up Survey and Recommendations for Improvements

Andrew W Ott, Katia Sol-Church, Gauravi M Deshpande, Kevin L Knudtson, Susan M Meyn, Sheenah M Mische, Douglas J Taatjes, Michael R Sturges and Christopher W Gregory

Journal of biomolecular techniques, Vol.33(3), p.3

10/15/2022

DOI: 10.7171/3fc1f5fe.fa789303

PMCID: PMC10001929

PMID: 36910580

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Abstract

Rigor, reproducibility, and transparency (RR&T) are essential components of all scientific pursuits. Shared research resources, also known as core facilities, are on the frontlines of ensuring robust RR&T practices. The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities Committee on Core Rigor and Reproducibility conducted a follow-up survey 4 years after the initial 2017 survey to determine if core facilities have seen a positive impact of new RR&T initiatives (including guidance from the National Institutes of Health, new scientific journal requirements on transparency and data provenance, and educational tools from professional organizations). While there were fewer participants in the most recent survey, the respondents' opinions on the role of core facilities and level of best practices adoption remained the same. Overall, the respondents agreed that procedures should be implemented by core facilities to ensure scientific RR&T. They also indicated that there is a strong correlation between institutions that emphasize RR&T and core customers using this expertise in grant applications and publications. The survey also assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on core operations and RR&T. The answers to these pandemic-related questions revealed that many of the strategies aimed at increasing efficiencies are also best practices related to RR&T, including the development of standard operating procedures, supply chain management, and cross training. Given the consistent and compelling awareness of the importance of RR&T expressed by core directors in 2017 and 2021 contrasted with the lack of apparent improvements over this time period, the authors recommend an adoption of RR&T statements by all core laboratories. Adhering to the RR&T guidelines will result in more efficient training, better compliance, and improved experimental approaches empowering cores to become "rigor champions."

COVID-19

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Pandemics

Reproducibility of Results

Surveys and Questionnaires

Details

Title: Subtitle: Rigor, Reproducibility, and Transparency in Shared Research Resources: Follow-Up Survey and Recommendations for Improvements
Creators: Andrew W Ott - Northwestern University
Katia Sol-Church - University of Virginia
Gauravi M Deshpande - Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Kevin L Knudtson - University of Iowa
Susan M Meyn - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Sheenah M Mische - NYU Langone Health
Douglas J Taatjes - University of Vermont
Michael R Sturges - Miltenyi Biotec
Christopher W Gregory - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of biomolecular techniques, Vol.33(3), p.3
DOI: 10.7171/3fc1f5fe.fa789303
PMID: 36910580
PMCID: PMC10001929
ISSN: 1524-0215
eISSN: 1943-4731
Language: English
Date published: 10/15/2022
Academic Unit: Iowa Institute of Human Genetics
Record Identifier: 9984627304202771

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