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 pub- lication, 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.
Explanation
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
- Enhancing reproducible research practices
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Quality assurance in the development of research software
Quality assurance has a key role to play in the development of research software. The DFG has established five guiding principles for this purpose.
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DFG statement on the replicability of research results
Replication, is only one of many different procedures for assuring the quality of results in fields of science that use empirical-quantitative methods.
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Open Science as Part of Research Culture. Positioning of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
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Quality standards in connection with rapid publication
Rapid publication of research data and findings by no means allows any compromise to be made in terms of accepted quality standards in the given field.
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Reproducibility of research results in medicine and biomedicine
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Further links on the subject of cross-phase quality assurance
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Archiving a pre-retirement or post-retirement research legacy – an example from the geosciences
Material should be saved from destruction if possible.
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Citations in mathematics
In mathematical texts, it is not common practice to use quotation marks to identify verbatim quotations of one’s own and external text sources.
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Electronic laboratory journal and repository in chemistry
The possibilities of an electronic laboratory journals linked to a repository in the context of chemistry are illustrated as examples.
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Guidelines for quality-promoting aspects in medicine and biomedicine
An orientation for applicants, reviewers and committee members.
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Handling research data in the humanities and social sciences
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 later review and possible re-use is mandatory for all projects.
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Laboratory journals and field books in the geosciences
Keeping a laboratory journal is recommended in the field of experimental geosciences
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Overarching quality assurance in the life sciences
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Quality assurance in experimental chemistry
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.
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Quality assurance in the engineering sciences
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Replication as a component of quality assurance in the humanities and social sciences
The replication of findings obtained using quantitative methodology is an essential component of quality assurance in all research in the humanities and social sciences.
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Use of standards in the geosciences
It is always preferable to use standards that have been developed in the relevant subject areas.
The reproducibility or replicability of results is a fundamental quality criterion in many areas of research.