Premium
Software for designing rigorous and replicable preclinical research: The Experimental Design Accelerator
Author(s) -
Malin David H.,
Hetherington Scott A.,
Nghiem Duyen M.,
Ward Christopher P.,
Kelling Nicholas,
Izygon Jonathan J.,
HarrisonWalker L. Jean,
Campbell Joseph R.,
Hughes Ryan,
Buras William R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.24440
Subject(s) - computer science , replication (statistics) , software , design of experiments , external validity , sample size determination , research design , sample (material) , data science , internal validity , software engineering , management science , psychology , statistics , programming language , engineering , social psychology , chemistry , mathematics , chromatography
In recent years, there have been concerns about research practices in basic and preclinical biomedical research. There have been problems with non‐replicable results, and experimental designs lacking internal validity or external or translational validity. The Experimental Design Accelerator (XDA) is Internet‐based, interactive software designed to help those trying to design, conduct and document rigorous, replicable and relevant experiments. It leads the investigator step‐by‐step through a series of decisions that will define the experimental design. It provides background regarding the significance of each decision and the advantages and disadvantages of each possible choice. For example, it leads the researcher to address issues such as choosing a research model, developing testable hypotheses, identifying extraneous variables, dealing with random and systematic error, picking appropriate sample size and picking appropriate statistical analyses. There are also sections to help conduct the experiment consistent with its design and to document the study to facilitate accurate replication. Helpful features include access to an online statistics book and provisions for rapid contact with consulting experts. A number of potential uses for such novel interactive software tools will be discussed.