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Comments - Research areas (74)
Preamble – Life Sciences
20.04.2021 – Characteristics of life science research and associated requirements for quality-promoting measures
Comment on: Preamble (Life sciences)
Natural Sciences
22.04.2022 – In the DFG subject classification system, the natural sciences include physics, chemistry, mathematics and the geosciences. These disciplines have clear overlaps with other scientific fields such as biology and medicine, agricultural and nutritional ...
Comment on: Preamble (Natural sciences)
Ethical aspects of research in the humanities and social sciences
23.08.2021 – The aim of addressing ethical considerations is the conscious reflection on the responsibility of science and the humanities in the research process, to weigh up potential risks caused by research to individuals, society, animals, cultural assets and the ...
Comment on: GL2 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL3 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL10 (Humanities and social sciences)
Approval procedure for animal experiments
11.08.2021 – The statement was prepared by the DFG’s Permanent Senate Commission on Animal Protection and Experimentation. It presents the results of a nationwide survey and a round table discussion on the approval procedure for animal experiments as well as ...
Comment on: GL10 (Life sciences) , GL10 (Statements)
Order of authors in astroparticle physics, hadron physics, nuclear physics and particle physics
11.08.2021 – In astroparticle physics, hadron physics, nuclear physics and particle physics, it is common practice to name authors in alphabetical order.
Comment on: GL14 (Natural sciences)
Guidelines for quality-promoting aspects in medicine and biomedicine
06.07.2021 – An orientation for applicants, reviewers and committee members.
Comment on: Preamble (Life sciences) , Preamble (Statements) , GL7 (Life sciences) , GL7 (Statements) , GL9 (Life sciences) , GL9 (Statements) , GL11 (Life sciences) , GL11 (Statements) , GL12 (Life sciences) , GL12 (Statements)
Author order in the engineering sciences
11.05.2021 – The convention for determining the order of authors varies within the engineering sciences.
Comment on: GL14 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
What characterises research in the humanities and social sciences
07.05.2021 – There is a broad diversity of methods and subjects in the humanities and social sciences. Commonalities concern the relationship to human beings as acting individuals and to hu-man communities under historically changing conditions.
Comment on: Preamble (Humanities and social sciences)
Engineering sciences
07.05.2021 – What is characteristic of the engineering sciences? What are the field’s main commonalities? What considerations or requirements have to be in place for quality assurance?
Comment on: Preamble (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Documentation of research results in experimental chemistry
23.04.2021 – When documenting research processes and results, the procedure must be mapped out as precisely as possible and also summarised for better verifiability.
Comment on: GL12 (Natural sciences)
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)
Diverse (digital) publication options in the humanities and social sciences
23.04.2021 – In the humanities and social sciences, a variety of formats in different media are suitable for publishing research results in the humanities, which should be carefully assessed prior to publication. Important criteria here include the reputability of the ...
Comment on: GL15 (Humanities and social sciences)
Replication as a component of quality assurance in the humanities and social sciences
22.04.2021 – The replication of findings obtained using quantitative methodology is an essential component of quality assurance in all research in the humanities and social sciences.
Comment on: GL7 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL12 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL13 (Humanities and social sciences)
Use of chemistry-specific repositories
20.04.2021 – Chemistry-specific repositories can be used to deposit research results in the form of data and materials (e.g. chemical substances).
Comment on: GL13 (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)
Ethical principles and guidelines in the engineering sciences
03.12.2020 – In the field of engineering sciences, some organisations have defined ethical standards.
Comment on: GL2 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL10 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Positive example of the utilisation of older data in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – Example from Saxony
Comment on: GL9 (Natural sciences) , GL10 (Natural sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences) , GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (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)
Professional ethics in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Compliance with ethical and legal requirements is absolutely essential when planning and conducting research into living organisms.
Comment on: GL2 (Life sciences)
Storage capacity and management of sample material in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – Examples of best practice
Comment on: GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Aspects of good research practice specific to physics
03.12.2020 – Physics associations provide opportunities for regular dialogue on discipline-specific aspects of good research practice.
Comment on: GL2 (Natural sciences)
Methods and standards in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Many methods used in life science projects are subject to limitations. When selecting a method, it is important to consider its strengths and weaknesses; this should be documented and compensated for by means of the appropriate controls. Research in the ...
Comment on: GL11 (Life sciences)
Scientific achievement and evaluation criteria in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – The rapid availability of methods has greatly accelerated research in many areas of the life sciences. Intense competition, combined with the enormous pressure to publish, is difficult to reconcile with high quality standards. Quantitative publication ...
Comment on: GL5 (Life sciences)
Taking account of industrial research
03.12.2020 – The current state of research also includes the results of research carried out by industrial enterprises.
Comment on: GL9 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Research design in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – There is a relatively high risk of (unconscious) bias in the interpretation of results or in the selection of certain results due to the complex nature of the subjects of study in the life sciences. At the same time, research carried out on living ...
Comment on: GL9 (Life sciences) , GL13 (Life sciences)
Responsibilities of the head of a work unit in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Planning projects and writing publications account for much of the research activity, as does reviewing and evaluating scientific publications and projects. The head of a work unit has a particular responsibility to provide researchers with the necessary ...
Comment on: GL4 (Life sciences)
Organisational responsibility in the management of scientific institutions in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Organisational responsibility in the management of scientific institutions
Comment on: GL3 (Life sciences)
Handling research data in the humanities and social sciences
03.12.2020 – Research data in humanities and social science projects are as diverse as the wide range of subjects and methods and form an integral part of the research results. A conscious approach to the documentation, maintenance, archiving and provision of data for ...
Comment on: GL5 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL7 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL10 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL12 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL13 (Humanities and social sciences) , GL17 (Humanities and social sciences)
Ombudspersons in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Research in the life sciences usually takes place in units consisting of numerous individuals. For this reason, it has proven effective in the life sciences to establish collegial counselling services and conflict resolution structures within the work ...
Comment on: GL6 (Life sciences)
Documentation in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – In the life sciences, an increasing quantity of data is generated that is exclusively available in digital form. For this reason, the use of electronic documentation facilities such as electronic laboratory notebooks is recommended. Data security and ...
Comment on: GL12 (Life sciences)
Author order in physics and chemistry
03.12.2020 – The order of authors in publications should generally be based on the scope of their contribution.
Comment on: GL14 (Natural sciences)
Overarching quality assurance in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – In the life sciences, quality assurance in a research project begins with thorough research into the state of knowledge and a clear definition of where there are gaps in knowledge. Researchers are expected to use contemporary analytical methods for ...
Comment on: GL7 (Life sciences) , GL13 (Life sciences)
Stakeholders, roles and responsibilities in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Protagonists, roles and responsibilities
Comment on: GL8 (Life sciences) , GL10 (Life 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)
Public access to the source code in the case of self-programmed software in connection with mathematical projects
03.12.2020 – The results of publicly funded research projects should be fully accessible to the public.
Comment on: GL13 (Natural sciences)
Ethical principles in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – The European Geoscience Union (EGU) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) have published a joint statement of principles on the EGU homepage for a code of ethics in the geosciences.
Comment on: GL2 (Natural sciences)
Restrictions on the publication of source codes
03.12.2020 – Restrictions on making source code publicly available may exist for copyright reasons. It can be useful to differentiate between the underlying algorithms and the source code.
Comment on: GL13 (Engineering/engineering 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)
Authorship in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – The attribution and origin of published contributions or findings must be clearly recognisable based on details of the individuals involved. This applies to both publications and research proposals. Due to the variety of research questions as well as ...
Comment on: GL14 (Life sciences)
Archiving in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Information and research data that is important to understanding the published results should ideally be archived for at least ten years for the purpose of verifiability. In some cases, it may be more expedient to hold the central samples for re-analysis ...
Comment on: GL17 (Life sciences)
Making Research Results Accessible in the Life Sciences
03.12.2020 – The aim should always be to publish a full set of results, since correct correlations and new insights can be gained more effectively and efficiently based on a comprehensive overview of previously elaborated research outcomes. When evaluating results, ...
Comment on: GL13 (Life sciences)
Confidentiality and neutrality in reviews and consultations in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – Research results in the life sciences can relate directly to socially relevant aspects such as prevention, disease, nutrition and environmental issues. Conscientious, prudent handling of the information contained in project proposals as well as the ...
Comment on: GL16 (Life 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)
Contributions to publications
03.12.2020 – In the engineering sciences, software design and prototype development are important contributions, too.
Comment on: GL14 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Evaluation of transfer and industry-related research
03.12.2020 – In the field of engineering sciences, transfer, cooperation with companies and a potential practical application can be particularly important.
Comment on: GL5 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Self-citations in the engineering sciences
03.12.2020 – The description of a general experimental set-up may be similar across several publications.
Comment on: GL13 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL14 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Databases and repositories commonly used in mathematics
03.12.2020 – In mathematics, it is common practice to use various databases and repositories that are intended for specific application purposes.
Comment on: GL17 (Natural sciences)
Statements by ethics committees in engineering research
03.12.2020 – Statements by ethics committees are often indispensable in the engineering sciences.
Comment on: GL10 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
The Nagoya Protocol in biophysics
03.12.2020 – In interdisciplinary research projects, such as those in the field of biophysical research, it is important to take account of the Nagoya Protocol in the planning phase of the project.
Comment on: GL9 (Natural sciences) , GL10 (Natural sciences)
Legal and ethical framework, usage rights in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – There are many legal and ethical aspects that impact on research in the life sciences. Here is a selection of particularly relevant issues (without any claim to completeness or priority) which are currently subject to intense debate. Respectful treatment ...
Comment on: GL10 (Life sciences)
Technical systems and metadata
03.12.2020 – Technical systems, along with their hardware and software, are usually made up of a mixture of commercial and self-created components. Ideally, the design phase should already take care that metadata is generated as automated and standardised as possible.
Comment on: GL12 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences)
Roles and responsibilities in larger teams
03.12.2020 – Since engineering work equals teamwork, there are usually a number of participants involved, with dynamically shifting roles and responsibilities.
Comment on: GL8 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Scope and completeness of documentation
03.12.2020 – It is important to distinguish between documentation within a research institution and published documentation.
Comment on: GL10 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL12 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Author order in mathematics
03.12.2020 – In mathematical publications it has been common practice to date for the authors to appear in alphabetical order.
Comment on: GL14 (Natural sciences)
Ethical requirements applicable to clinical research projects
03.12.2020 – Ethics committees are bodies established by universities, professional associations or countries to provide ethical and legal advice, control and oversight for researchers who are planning to carry out investigations involving living and deceased human ...
Comment on: GL2 (Life sciences) , GL3 (Life sciences) , GL10 (Life sciences)
Making research results available
03.12.2020 – Research results are often unique or consist of large amounts of data. Both make fully comprehensive provision difficult.
Comment on: GL13 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Archiving of samples
03.12.2020 – In some areas of engineering science, samples have a particularly important role to play.
Comment on: GL12 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL13 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL17 (Engineering/engineering 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)
Archiving data in the earth sciences and environmental sciences
03.12.2020 – Best practice example – PANGAEA
Comment on: GL13 (Natural sciences) , GL15 (Natural sciences) , GL17 (Natural sciences)
Commitment to responsible marine research
03.12.2020 – German marine research has issued a voluntary commitment in which it sets out key principles of responsible marine research.
Comment on: GL2 (Natural sciences) , GL10 (Natural sciences)
Publication media in engineering sciences
03.12.2020 – In the engineering sciences, publications appear in a broad range of publication media. In addition to academic journals, other relevant outlets include international conference proceedings and patents.
Comment on: GL15 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Documentation concept
03.12.2020 – Even in the planning phase of a research project, it is important to consider conceptual questions regarding data management as well as the documentation of project progression, methods and results.
Comment on: GL12 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL12 (Natural sciences)
Quality assurance in the engineering sciences
03.12.2020 – A clear interpretation of results is sometimes made difficult by the complexity of the problem.
Comment on: GL7 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Separation of basic research and contract research
03.12.2020 – When working on projects outside of basic research, such areas must be clearly separated.
Comment on: GL4 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Standards/references
03.12.2020 – In the engineering sciences, a standard is something that is arrived at the end of a prolonged process. In the context of research in this field, it makes more sense to regard a standard as a point of reference.
Comment on: GL11 (Engineering/engineering sciences)
Ethical principles in chemistry
03.12.2020 – The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) is the umbrella organisation of the chemical societies of Europe and home to a working group of high-ranking member representatives that deals with ethical principles in the field of chemical research and teaching. ...
Comment on: GL2 (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)
Statements by ethics committees in medical research
03.12.2020 – Relevance of statements by ethics committees in medical research
Comment on: GL10 (Life sciences)
Statutory requirements
03.12.2020 – In addition to legal requirements, occupational health and safety regulations and certifications also have to be observed.
Comment on: GL10 (Engineering/engineering sciences) , GL10 (Legal Framework)
The dual use problem in mathematics
03.12.2020 – In many cases, basic research in both theoretical and applied mathematics has the potential to be significant to security-related research as well.
Comment on: GL10 (Natural sciences)
The Nagoya Protocol in the geosciences
03.12.2020 – The extraction of geoscientific sample material can also fall under the regulations of the Nagoya Protocol.
Comment on: GL10 (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)
Publication media in the life sciences
03.12.2020 – In the life sciences, results are often published in specialist journals and there is a peer review process for this purpose. Prompt availability and open access to published content is vital to scientific progress in the life sciences: this helps ensure ...
Comment on: GL15 (Life sciences)