Raw data acquisition: Recommendations
Provide written SOPs and protocols (can be uploaded in protocol repositories like http://www.bio-protocol.org/ or http://www.protocols.io) for reproducibility and transparency. Protocol videos can also communicate tacit knowledge [1]. Make clear which parts of the protocols can be modified and which ones cannot (and why).
Provide guidance how to increase the quality and robustness of the research outcome (in person, in writing).
Provide written instructions or supervision on how to operate each equipment, Write the name and phone number of the responsible person next to each equipment in case the user experiences a problem.
Make sure the reagents were checked and the equipment is maintained and calibrated.
Use common data standards (eg ALCOA or FAIR) from your field. Uniform data (and metadata) allow compatibility and interoperability. They can be easily read, searched, compared, reused and interpreted by other labs. It facilitates metastudies [2].
Be available for troubleshooting (ideally, do not charge extra for it but include its cost in the basic fare).
Links
- Additional information on EQIPD site Generation, recording, handling and archiving of raw data
