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Peter KT, Phillips AL, Knolhoff AM, Gardinali PR, Manzano CA, Miller KE, Pristner M, Sabourin L, Sumarah MW, Warth B, Sobus JR. Nontargeted Analysis Study Reporting Tool: A Framework to Improve Research Transparency and Reproducibility. Anal Chem 2021; 93:13870-13879. [PMID: 34618419 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-targeted analysis (NTA) workflows using mass spectrometry are gaining popularity in many disciplines, but universally accepted reporting standards are nonexistent. Current guidance addresses limited elements of NTA reporting-most notably, identification confidence-and is insufficient to ensure scientific transparency and reproducibility given the complexity of these methods. This lack of reporting standards hinders researchers' development of thorough study protocols and reviewers' ability to efficiently assess grant and manuscript submissions. To overcome these challenges, we developed the NTA Study Reporting Tool (SRT), an easy-to-use, interdisciplinary framework for comprehensive NTA methods and results reporting. Eleven NTA practitioners reviewed eight published articles covering environmental, food, and health-based exposomic applications with the SRT. Overall, our analysis demonstrated that the SRT provides a valid structure to guide study design and manuscript writing, as well as to evaluate NTA reporting quality. Scores self-assigned by authors fell within the range of peer-reviewer scores, indicating that SRT use for self-evaluation will strengthen reporting practices. The results also highlighted NTA reporting areas that need immediate improvement, such as analytical sequence and quality assurance/quality control information. Although scores intentionally do not correspond to data/results quality, widespread implementation of the SRT could improve study design and standardize reporting practices, ultimately leading to broader use and acceptance of NTA data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T Peter
- U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, United States
| | - Allison L Phillips
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Ann M Knolhoff
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, HFS-707, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Piero R Gardinali
- Institute of Environment and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, Florida 33181, United States
| | - Carlos A Manzano
- Faculty of Science, University of Chile, 3425 Las Palmeras, 7750000 Nunoa RM, Chile.,School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182, United States
| | - Kelsey E Miller
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Manuel Pristner
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lyne Sabourin
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, Ontario N5V 4T3, Canada
| | - Mark W Sumarah
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, Ontario N5V 4T3, Canada
| | - Benedikt Warth
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Street 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jon R Sobus
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
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