Research in the Biomedical Sciences : Transparent and Reproducible

Research in the Biomedical Sciences: Transparent and Reproducible documents current concerns related reproducibility in biomedical research to provide a best practices guide to the effective experimental practices that will improve reproducibility. These include the generation of logcal hypotheses and approaches to experimental design that will ensure adequate powering and appropriate statistical analysis together with the documentation, execution, data analysis and reporting required for peer review publication. These practices also highlight the critical need for reagent standardization that includes antibody, siRNA, compound and animal model validation and cell line authentication. This book addresses the myriad issues in the existing peer review process and its proposed replacement; along with initiatives for improving reproducibility by ensuring transparency in data reporting, improved diligence in manuscript preparation and access to the data supporting research findings via increasing mandatory open access data repositories. Without improvements in the training, mentoring, and funding of new generations of researchers, the hypercompetitive incentives that are driven by the Journal Impact Factor will continue to contribute to a lack of reproducibility, the potential consequences of which may jeopardize the continued funding of biomedical research and impact societal health and well-being. Throughout the book, the authors cite various real-world examples of irreproducibility and include insights and solution to provide a timely resource for all those involved in conducting and supervising research in the biomedical sciences. Key Feature Highlights the importance of reproducibility and the necessary changes in biomedical research training and incentives to ensure sustainability, Offers real-world research context for transparent, reproducible experimental design, execution, and reporting of biomedical research with the potential to address aspects of the translational gab in the drug discovery process, Provides a "big picture" perspective on the scope of reproducibility issues and cover initiatives that have potential as effective solutions, as well as those that are well meaning but flawed by practical constraints Book jacket.