Guideline 7
Cross-phase quality assurance
Researchers carry out each step of the research process lege artis. When research findings are made publicly available (in the narrower sense of publication, but also in a broader sense through other communication channels), the quality assurance mechanisms used are always explained. This applies especially when new methods are developed.
Explanations:
Continuous quality assurance during the research process includes, in particular, compliance with subject-specific standards and established methods, processes such as equipment calibration, the collection, processing and analysis of research data, the selection and use of research software, software development and programming, and the keeping of laboratory notebooks.
If researchers have made their findings publicly available and subsequently become aware of inconsistencies or errors in them, they make the necessary corrections. If the inconsistencies or errors constitute grounds for retracting a publication, the researchers will promptly request the publisher, infrastructure provider, etc. to correct or retract the publication and make a corresponding announcement. The same applies if researchers are made aware of such inconsistencies or errors by third parties.
The origin of the data, organisms, materials and software used in the research process is disclosed and the reuse of data is clearly indicated; original sources are cited. The nature and the scope of research data generated during the research process are described. Research data are handled in accordance with the requirements of the relevant subject area. The source code of publicly available software must be persistent, citable and documented. Depending on the particular subject area, it is an essential part of quality assurance that results or findings can be replicated or confirmed by other researchers (for example with the aid of a detailed description of materials and methods).
Comments - Natural sciences (10)
Quality assurance in experimental chemistry
23.04.2021 – In experimental chemistry, quality assurance of research projects includes the documentation of procedures and results as well as the safeguarding of the materials obtained, insofar as this is possible and reasonable.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences)
Citations in mathematics
03.12.2020 – In mathematical texts, it is not common practice to use quotation marks to identify verbatim quotations of one’s own and external text sources.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL13 (Natural sciences)
Software development and handling research data in mathematics
03.12.2020 – Appropriate accessibility is important in terms of the verifiability of research work in mathematics where self-developed software and data are key factors.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences) , GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL14 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Archiving a pre-retirement or post-retirement research legacy – an example from the geosciences
03.12.2020 – Material should be saved from destruction if possible.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL8 (Natural sciences) , GL9 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Handling samples in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – Samples should be archived and stored for future use whenever possible so as to ensure that the material can be used as widely as possible by the scientific community.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL9 (Natural sciences) , GL10 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Electronic laboratory journal and repository in chemistry
03.12.2020 – An electronic laboratory journal in conjunction with a repository are described as an example in the field of chemistry.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences) , GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Enabling the availability of primary data and archiving it
03.12.2020 – Numerical simulations can generate very large quantities of data, so it is not always expedient to make the direct results – i.e. the primary data – available in full for the purpose of verifiability and reuse.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Laboratory journals and field books in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – Keeping a laboratory journal is also recommended in the geosciences.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences)
Use of standards in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – It is always preferable to use standards that have been developed in the relevant subject areas.
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL11 (Natural sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences)
Maintaining storage capacity in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – Long-term storage of research data
Comment on: GL7 (Natural sciences) , GL11 (Natural sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences) , GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL15 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)