2.4.1 Non-public reporting
A. Background & Definitions
Non-public reporting, in the context of this Toolbox article, refers to the presentation of research data that is not intended for the public dissemination.
Non-public reports typically occur internally (within a research unit and/or parent organization), between collaboration partners, contracting parties, or at the request of authorities (funding agencies, regulatory agencies, etc.).
B. Guidance & Expectations
The format and the content of non-public reports are typically defined beforehand (e.g. by the internal regulations or guidance from a regulatory agency or in a contractual agreement).
Non-public reports typically focus on methods and results.
In general, the following expectations exist for non-public reporting (cf. expectations for conventional scientific publications (LINK to a Publication item)): * Report must contain information about all repeats, runs and replications of the experiments
- Source of all materials, tools and reagents should be captured (e.g. lot or batch numbers of chemicals)
- Raw as well as processed data (if applicable) from the study should be presented in the report and/or references where to find them should be provided (e.g. reference to the lab notebook number / page numbers; room or archive where the records are stored)
- Report should clearly indicate whether there was any quality check done on the data or processes
- Report should indicate a version, be signed and dated
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET If raw data are not included in the report, the author(s) should be prepared to provide them upon request Expectations towards the non-public reporting are a joint responsibility of both those who expect to receive the reports and those who will produce them Reported data must disclose all repetitions of the test regardless of the outcome (one of the Core Requirements)
C. Resources
Template / example of a non-public study report - to be added
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