IONM protocols

Excerpt

Protocols are detailed descriptions of standard methodologies that are sufficient in detail to allow other groups to replicate the experiment. In fields such as molecular biology there are entire book series dedicated to the publication of protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology, Springer Publishing). In neuroscience there are dedicated journals such as the Journal of Neuroscience Methods (Journal of Neuroscience Methods—Elsevier). A Medline search for Protocol (in the title) yields over half a million results and an exponential rise in the use of the term in recent years. A protocol paper differs from a methods section in a paper describing results. Obviously, the protocol does not include any results, but it should include evidence that the protocol is feasible. The publication of the protocol allows for independent evaluation of the proposed methodology, both in terms of whether it will answer the question and, also for scientific rigour. …