A Tool to Encourage Minimum Reporting Guideline Uptake for Data Analysis in Metabolomics

Area of Science:

• Metabolomics
• Bioinformatics
• Scientific Reporting

Background:

• Reporting guidelines for metabolomics data analysis, proposed over a decade ago, exhibit persistent issues with clarity and completeness.
• Omissions and logical gaps in data analysis sections hinder the reproducibility and replicability of metabolomics studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate reasons for poor adherence to existing metabolomics reporting guidelines.
• To propose an improved approach for guideline uptake and enhance the clarity of data analysis reporting in metabolomics.

Main Methods:

• Development of an R markdown reporting template to guide text production and generate workflow diagrams.
• Incorporation of minimum information requirements for data pre-treatment and analysis in biomarker discovery metabolomics, based on established guidelines.
• Presentation of requirements as a questionnaire checklist within the R markdown template.

Main Results:

• The R markdown template provides a structured approach to reporting metabolomics data analysis.
• The template aims to ensure logical presentation and sufficient detail for understanding and reuse of methods.
• Workflow diagrams generated by the template enhance the visualization of the data analysis process.

Conclusions:

• The proposed R markdown template serves as a starting point to improve the logical presentation of metabolomics data analysis.
• This initiative aims to make metabolomics study data analysis sections more understandable and reusable.
• The template is designed for community feedback and updates via GitHub, fostering collaborative improvement.