1
|
Masca NGD, Hensor EMA, Cornelius VR, Buffa FM, Marriott HM, Eales JM, Messenger MP, Anderson AE, Boot C, Bunce C, Goldin RD, Harris J, Hinchliffe RF, Junaid H, Kingston S, Martin-Ruiz C, Nelson CP, Peacock J, Seed PT, Shinkins B, Staples KJ, Toombs J, Wright AKA, Teare MD. RIPOSTE: a framework for improving the design and analysis of laboratory-based research. eLife 2015; 4:e05519. [PMID: 25951517 PMCID: PMC4461852 DOI: 10.7554/elife.05519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of reproducibility is an ongoing problem in some areas of the biomedical sciences. Poor experimental design and a failure to engage with experienced statisticians at key stages in the design and analysis of experiments are two factors that contribute to this problem. The RIPOSTE (Reducing IrreProducibility in labOratory STudiEs) framework has been developed to support early and regular discussions between scientists and statisticians in order to improve the design, conduct and analysis of laboratory studies and, therefore, to reduce irreproducibility. This framework is intended for use during the early stages of a research project, when specific questions or hypotheses are proposed. The essential points within the framework are explained and illustrated using three examples (a medical equipment test, a macrophage study and a gene expression study). Sound study design minimises the possibility of bias being introduced into experiments and leads to higher quality research with more reproducible results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas GD Masca
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth MA Hensor
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria R Cornelius
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca M Buffa
- Applied Computational Genomics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M Marriott
- Department of Infection and Immunity, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; The Florey Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - James M Eales
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P Messenger
- NIHR Diagnostic Evidence Co-Operative Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Amy E Anderson
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Boot
- Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Catey Bunce
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D Goldin
- Centre for Pathology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Harris
- Clinical Trials and Evaluation Unit, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Rod F Hinchliffe
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Hiba Junaid
- Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shaun Kingston
- Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Martin-Ruiz
- Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P Nelson
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Peacock
- Division of Health and Social Care Research, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul T Seed
- Division of Women's Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany Shinkins
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Karl J Staples
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Toombs
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam KA Wright
- Institute of Lung Health, Respiratory Biomedical Unit, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - M Dawn Teare
- Sheffield School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|