Guideline 9
Research design
Researchers take into account and acknowledge the current state of re- search when planning a project. To identify relevant and suitable research questions, they familiarise themselves with existing research in the public domain. HEIs and non-HEI research institutions ensure that the necessary basic framework for this is in place.
Explanation
Methods to avoid (unconscious) distortions in the interpretation of findings, e.g. the use of blinding in experiments, are used where possible. Researchers examine whether and to what extent gender and diversity dimensions may be of significance to the research project (with regard to methods, work programme, objectives, etc.). The context in which the research was conducted is taken into consideration when interpreting findings.
Comments
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Sex, gender and diversity – Relevance to research projects
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Documentation concept
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.
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Equitable Research Partnerships in international cooperation
It is important to reflect on the framework conditions for international research cooperation with a view to their fairness and equity – especially regarding structural asymmetries between the research systems in question.
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Sex, gender and diversity in research
In some research projects, the consideration of sex, gender and diversity dimensions can lead to the avoidance of "blind spots" and thus increase the scientific quality of the results. Therefore, reflection on sex, gender and diversity should be part of the preparation of any research project and – where relevant – addressed in the proposal.
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Reproducibility of research results in medicine and biomedicine
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Further links relating to research design
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Taking account of industrial research
The current state of research also includes the results of research carried out by industrial enterprises.
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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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Handling samples in the geosciences
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.
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Research design in the life sciences
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The Nagoya Protocol in biophysics
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Utilisation of existing data sets in medicine/the life sciences