Experimental Record

The following scheme illustrates the relationship between some of the most important phrases concerning the experimental record and the relationship to the study protocol, the raw + meta data, processed data and report/publication.

Definition for Experimental Record

A research diary entry for an experiment recording all data and pertinent details of an experiment, such that a peer could repeat it. For complex studies that include more than one experiment, several experiments can be part of one record (under one study ID). Each experimental record should include:

• hypothesis,
• materials,
• methods,
• analysis,
• results,
• conclusion, and/or
• reference to data files (including metadata) supporting these sections,

All of the above should be thoroughly documented, recorded in a timely manner, and accurately described.