Making waves: Report your quality assurance and control (QA/QC) information when publishing analytical data

Quantitative analytical chemistry is an important tool for the aquatic sciences, turning environmental samples into meaningful data that support waterbody management and novel research. However, proper use of analytical data must include full and transparent reporting of quality assurance and control (QA/QC) information, something we have noted as consistently lacking in recent literature. Herein, we briefly discuss QA/QC theory and approaches, with the goal of informing interdisciplinary researchers who may not have received formal training in analytical labs. The core of this perspective is eight recommendations for effective QA/QC reporting in scientific products, including discussions on how and where to construct a transparent and concise QA/QC summary. We also discuss how to report detection limits and sample sizes - two commonly excluded parts of QA/QC reporting in our experiences. We end with a discussion of recent positive examples of effective QA/QC reporting in water science, as well as five points around the importance of QA/QC information for the broader aquatic science community (i.e., students, supervisors/mentors, data managers, and journal editors). Collectively, improved QA/QC reporting will extend the reach, usefulness, and longevity of our scientific data and research, enhancing the fundamental purpose of scientific publishing.