How to be FAIR: A Self-study Program for Integrating FAIR Principles into Best Data Management Practices - The advancement of human health, from basic science to human health interventions, is dependent on the
rigor, reproducibility, and transparency (RRT) of scientific research. Reasons for the lack of RRT include
incomplete communication of scientific protocols, unidentified differences in scientific protocols, undisclosed or
uncontrolled confounding factors, poorly designed studies, and unintentional misapplication of statistical
approaches. In addition to these reasons, lack of clear data management practices and the metadata
documenting those practices vastly exacerbates the underlying issue of inadequate rigor, reproducibility, and
especially transparency by leaving a vast component of the scientific process completely undocumented. In the
absence of strong data management and metadata recorded during the data life cycle, the final data from an
experiment may be completely irreproducible. In the absence of strong data management and metadata
recorded during the data life cycle, an independent set of researchers’ ability to reuse appropriately and
confidently the final data becomes nonexistent. We therefore propose creating a set of training modules
focused on the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles to educate researchers at
all career levels about these issues in the research data life cycle that can impact RRT. We specifically
propose 10 complimentary modules that present fundamental data management practices and explain how to
implement FAIR data principles in those practices with specific examples. Though complimentary, each
module can be taken individually allowing researchers to self-study at their desired pace. We will evaluate
each module for content validity, face validity, and educational value by consulting with statistical experts,
experienced lab/clinical researchers, and early career investigators. Finally, we will reinforce modules with
additional online instructional content, including tutorial reading lists and self-assessment quizzes. Our team
will widely disseminate the instructional materials leveraging our experience and resources creating and
sharing online educational content, and we commit to maintain the materials in an openly available web portal
at no cost to end users. By further expanding and explaining topics supporting principles of RRT, we contribute
broadly to the mission of the NIH by illustrating and promoting the highest level of scientific integrity and rigor in
the conduct of science. We specifically contribute to the mission of the NIGMS by "training the next generation
of scientists, in enhancing the diversity of the scientific workforce, and in developing research capacities
throughout the country."
