Improving functional magnetic resonance imaging reproducibility

Gigascience. 2015 Mar 31:4:15. doi: 10.1186/s13742-015-0055-8. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Background: The ability to replicate an entire experiment is crucial to the scientific method. With the development of more and more complex paradigms, and the variety of analysis techniques available, fMRI studies are becoming harder to reproduce.

Results: In this article, we aim to provide practical advice to fMRI researchers not versed in computing, in order to make studies more reproducible. All of these steps require researchers to move towards a more open science, in which all aspects of the experimental method are documented and shared.

Conclusion: Only by sharing experiments, data, metadata, derived data and analysis workflows will neuroimaging establish itself as a true data science.

Keywords: Code; Functional MRI; Open science; Reproducibility; Scripts; Workflows.

MeSH terms

  • Information Dissemination
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / standards*
  • Neuroimaging / methods
  • Neuroimaging / standards
  • Neuroimaging / trends
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Workflow