title: RIPOSTE: a framework for improving the design and analysis of laboratory-based research.
abstract: Lack of reproducibility is an ongoing problem in some areas of the biomedical sciences. Poor experimental design and a failure to engage with experienced statisticians at key stages in the design and analysis of experiments are two factors that contribute to this problem. The RIPOSTE (Reducing IrreProducibility in labOratory STudiEs) framework has been developed to support early and regular discussions between scientists and statisticians in order to improve the design, conduct and analysis of laboratory studies and, therefore, to reduce irreproducibility. This framework is intended for use during the early stages of a research project, when specific questions or hypotheses are proposed. The essential points within the framework are explained and illustrated using three examples (a medical equipment test, a macrophage study and a gene expression study). Sound study design minimises the possibility of bias being introduced into experiments and leads to higher quality research with more reproducible results.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nicholas Gd
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Masca
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Ma
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hensor
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Victoria R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Cornelius
authors.affiliation: Applied Computational Genomics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Francesca M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Buffa
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection and Immunity, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Marriott
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eales
authors.affiliation: NIHR Diagnostic Evidence Co-Operative Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Messenger
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Catey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bunce
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pathology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials and Evaluation Unit, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Haematology, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rod F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Hinchliffe
authors.affiliation: Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Junaid
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kingston
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin-Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Division of Health and Social Care Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.affiliation: Division of Women's Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7904-7933
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Seed
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bethany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shinkins
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Karl J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Staples
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toombs
authors.affiliation: Institute of Lung Health, Respiratory Biomedical Unit, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Adam Ka
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Sheffield School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M Dawn
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Teare
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
keywords: experimental design; human biology; interdisciplinary research; medicine; none; reproducibility; science forum; statistical design