Protocol (science)
In
Similarly, a protocol may refer to the procedural methods of health organizations, commercial laboratories, manufacturing plants, etc. to ensure their activities (e.g.,
Finally, in the field of social science, a protocol may also refer to a "descriptive record" of observed events[7][8] or a "sequence of behavior"[9] of one or more organisms, recorded during or immediately after an activity (e.g., how an infant reacts to certain stimuli or how gorillas behave in natural habitat) to better identify "consistent patterns and cause-effect relationships."[7][10] These protocols may take the form of hand-written journals or electronically documented media, including video and audio capture.[7][10]
Experiment and study protocol
Various fields of science, such as environmental science and clinical research, require the coordinated, standardized work of many participants. Additionally, any associated laboratory testing and experiment must be done in a way that is both ethically sound and results can be replicated by others using the same methods and equipment. As such, rigorous and vetted testing and experimental protocols are required. In fact, such predefined protocols are an essential component of
In a clinical trial, the protocol is carefully designed to safeguard the health of the participants as well as answer specific research questions. A protocol describes what types of people may participate in the trial; the schedule of tests, procedures, medications, and dosages; and the length of the study. While in a clinical trial, participants following a protocol are seen regularly by research staff to monitor their health and to determine the safety and effectiveness of their treatment.[11][12] Since 1996, clinical trials conducted are widely expected to conform to and report the information called for in the CONSORT Statement, which provides a framework for designing and reporting protocols.[15] Though tailored to health and medicine, ideas in the CONSORT statement are broadly applicable to other fields where experimental research is used.
Protocols will often address:[2][11][12]
- safety: Safety precautions are a valuable addition to a protocol, and can range from requiring goggles to provisions for containment of microbes, environmental hazards, toxic substances, and volatile solvents. Procedural contingencies in the event of an accident may be included in a protocol or in a referenced SOP.
- procedures: Procedural information may include not only safety procedures but also procedures for avoiding contamination, calibration of equipment, equipment testing, documentation, and all other relevant issues. These procedural protocols can be used by skeptics to invalidate any claimed results if flaws are found.
- equipment used: Equipment testing and documentation includes all necessary specifications, calibrations, operating ranges, etc. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and other factors can often have effects on results. Documenting these factors should be a part of any good procedure.
- reporting: A protocol may specify reporting requirements. Reporting requirements would include all elements of the experiments design and protocols and any environmental factors or mechanical limitations that might affect the validity of the results.
- calculations and statistics: Protocols for methods that produce numerical results generally include detailed formulas for calculation of results. A formula may also be included for preparation of reagents and other solutions required for the work. Methods of statistical analysis may be included to guide interpretation of the data.
- bias: Many protocols include provisions for avoiding bias in the interpretation of results.
Best practice recommends publishing the protocol of the review before initiating it to reduce the risk of unplanned research duplication and to enable transparency, and consistency between methodology and protocol.[17]
Blinded protocols
A protocol may require blinding to avoid bias.[16][18] A blind can be imposed on any participant of an experiment, including subjects, researchers, technicians, data analysts, and evaluators. In some cases, while blinding would be useful, it is impossible or unethical. A good clinical protocol ensures that blinding is as effective as possible within ethical and practical constrains.[19]
During the course of an experiment, a participant becomes
An experimenter may have latitude defining procedures for blinding and controls but may be required to justify those choices if the results are published or submitted to a regulatory agency. When it is known during the experiment which data was negative there are often reasons to rationalize why that data shouldn't be included. Positive data are rarely rationalized the same way.
See also
- Adaptive clinical trial
- Blocking (statistics)
- Design of experiments
- DRAKON
- Estimation
- Estimation theory
- Margin of error
- Medical guideline
- Observational error
- Paradigm (experimental)
- Propagation of error
- Protein methods and Nucleic acid methods
- Random error
- Randomized controlled trial
- Royal Commission on Animal Magnetism
- Sample (statistics)
- Sample size
- Sampling error
- Scientific control
- Standard deviation
- Statistical population
- Survey sampling
- Systematic error
References
- ISBN 0471551783. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ ISBN 0849394619. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ISBN 9781317438663.
- ^ American Society for Microbiology (2016). "Laboratory Protocols". Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ National Research Council Canada (June 2003). "Recommended practices for calibration laboratories". Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ Nash, T. (July 2005). "Automotive Protocols & Standards". Motor. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ ISBN 0877781516. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ISBN 8171566057. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ISBN 0226251926. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ ISBN 9781137003768.
- ^ a b c d UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (2001). "Chapter 2: Good Laboratory Practice Training" (PDF). Handbook: Good laboratory practice (GLP). World Health Organization. pp. 16–18, 29–33. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e World Health Organization (2005). "Handbook for good clinical research practice (GCP): Guidance for implementation" (PDF). WHO. pp. 27–34. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Integrated Addendum to ICH E6(R1): Guideline for Good Clinical Practice E6(R2)" (PDF). ich.org. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). 9 November 2016. pp. 34–37. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ National center for Complementary and Integrative Health (24 July 2018). "NCCIH Clinical Research Toolbox". NIH. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
NCCIH requires that study investigators submit a final protocol document for all funded clinical projects.
- ^ "History". CONSORT. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ PMID 26154287.
- PMID 25554246.
- ISBN 9781412961271. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- PMID 31536248, retrieved 2021-08-10
- PMID 24973822.