Protocol (science)

In natural and social science research, a protocol is most commonly a predefined procedural method in the design and implementation of an experiment. Protocols are written whenever it is desirable to standardize a laboratory method to ensure successful replication of results by others in the same laboratory or by other laboratories.[1][2] Additionally, and by extension, protocols have the advantage of facilitating the assessment of experimental results through peer review.[3] In addition to detailed procedures, equipment, and instruments, protocols will also contain study objectives, reasoning for experimental design, reasoning for chosen sample sizes, safety precautions, and how results were calculated and reported, including statistical analysis and any rules for predefining and documenting excluded data to avoid bias.[2]

Similarly, a protocol may refer to the procedural methods of health organizations, commercial laboratories, manufacturing plants, etc. to ensure their activities (e.g., blood testing at a hospital, testing of certified reference materials at a calibration laboratory, and manufacturing of transmission gears at a facility) are consistent to a specific standard, encouraging safe use and accurate results.[4][5][6]

Finally, in the field of social science, a protocol may also refer to a "descriptive record" of observed events[7][8] or a "sequence of behavior"[9] of one or more organisms, recorded during or immediately after an activity (e.g., how an infant reacts to certain stimuli or how gorillas behave in natural habitat) to better identify "consistent patterns and cause-effect relationships."[7][10] These protocols may take the form of hand-written journals or electronically documented media, including video and audio capture.[7][10]

  1. ^ Hinkelmann, K.; Kempthorne, O. (1994). Design and Analysis of Experiments: Introduction to Experimental Design. Vol. 1. John Wiley & Sons. p. 11. ISBN 0471551783. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b Selwyn, M.R. (1996). Principles of Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. CRC Press. pp. 12–13. ISBN 0849394619. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  3. ^ Desposato, S. (2015). Ethics and Experiments: Problems and Solutions for Social Scientists and Policy Professionals. Routledge. p. PT382. ISBN 9781317438663.
  4. ^ American Society for Microbiology (2016). "Laboratory Protocols". Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  5. ^ National Research Council Canada (June 2003). "Recommended practices for calibration laboratories". Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  6. ^ Nash, T. (July 2005). "Automotive Protocols & Standards". Motor. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Thiagarajan, S. (1980). Protocol Packages. Educational Technology Publications. p. 3. ISBN 0877781516. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  8. ^ Reading, H.F. (1996). Dictionary of the Social Sciences. Atlantic Publishers and Distributors. p. 164. ISBN 8171566057. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. ^ Fiske, D.W. (1986). Metatheory in Social Science: Pluralisms and Subjectivities. University of Chicago Press. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0226251926. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  10. ^ a b O'Shaughnessy, J. (2012). Consumer Behaviour: Perspectives, Findings and Explanations. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 71–2. ISBN 9781137003768.