Guidelines and Initiatives for Good Research Practice.

Area of Science:

• Scientific research integrity
• Data reproducibility
• Research robustness

Background:

• Numerous initiatives address data reproducibility and robustness from various stakeholders.
• Existing guidelines show little harmonization, leading to scientific community confusion.
• Recommendations are often not requirements, impacting consistent implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore data reproducibility and robustness initiatives across diverse organizations.
• To identify overlaps and gaps in current recommendations and requirements.
• To propose strategies for enhancing reproducibility and aligning future policies.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of initiatives from funding organizations, granting agencies, policymakers, journals, and publishers.
• Examination of existing guidelines, recommendations, and requirements.
• Analysis of stakeholder efforts to address research irreproducibility.

Main Results:

• A multitude of guidelines exist but lack harmonization.
• Guidelines are frequently recommendations, not requirements, affecting implementation.
• Lack of alignment poses a barrier to strengthening quality standards.

Conclusions:

• Harmonization of guidelines is crucial for effective implementation.
• Policy alignment is needed to enhance research reproducibility and robustness.
• Future policies should focus on consistent strategies and potential enforcement mechanisms.