ArticlePLoS biology2019
Applying the science of measurement to biology: Why bother?
Article in PLoS biology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Unboxing the black box-one step forward to understand the soil microbiome: A systematic review.Microbial ecology · 2023Pooled it
- Assessing the Variability of Cell-Associated HIV DNA Quantification through a Multicenter Collaborative Study.Microbiology spectrum · 2022Article
- An SI-traceable reference material for virus-like particles.iScience · 2022Article
- Erratum: Impact of formulation choices on the freeze-drying of an interleukin-6 reference material.Frontiers in molecular biosciences · 2022Article
- Impact of Formulation Choices on the Freeze-Drying of an Interleukin-6 Reference Material.Frontiers in molecular biosciences · 2022Article
- Essential signals in publication trends and collaboration patterns in global Research Integrity and Research Ethics (RIRE).Scientometrics · 2022Article
- Establishment of a WHO Reference Reagent for anti-Mullerian hormone.Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E · 2020Article
- Developing standards for the microbiome field.Microbiome · 2020Article
- Growing a circular economy with fungal biotechnology: a white paper.Fungal biology and biotechnology · 2020Review
- Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Both basic and translational research are continuously evolving, but the principles that underpin research integrity remain constant. These include rational, hypothesis-driven, and adequately planned and controlled science, which is carried out openly, honestly, and ethically. An important component of this should be minimising experimental irreproducibility. Biological systems, in particular, are inherently variable due to the nature of cells and tissues, as well as the complex molecules within them. As a result, it is important to understand and identify sources of variability and to strive to minimise their influence. In many instances, the application of metrology (the science of measurement) can play an important role in ensuring good quality research, even within biological systems that aren't always amenable to many of the metrological concepts applied in other fields. Here, we introduce the basic concepts of metrology in relation to biological systems and promote the application of these principles to help avoid potentially costly mistakes in both basic and translational research. We also call on funders to encourage the uptake of metrological principles, as well as provide funding and support for later engagement with regulatory bodies.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.