Promoting reusable and open methods and protocols (PRO-MaP) : recommendations to improve methodological clarity in life sciences publications

Academic research papers from life sciences fields, such as biomedicine and biology, are often missing essential details about study methods. This can undermine trust, limit the use of new methods and hinder reproducibility and data reuse. Promoting Reusable and Open Methods and Protocols (PRO-MaP) aims to increase and improve the reporting of detailed, structured and open methods and reusable step-by-step protocols in the life sciences, supporting the EU's open science and valorisation policies. These recommendations outline actions that four stakeholder groups - researchers, research institutions and departments, publishers and editors, and funders - can take to achieve these goals. The recommendations are designed to improve the quality of method reporting, to reward and incentivise method sharing, to encourage sharing of step-by-step protocols in dynamic repositories that enable protocols to be updated as they evolve, and to promote responsible use of methodological shortcut citations. While some recommendations address study design and reporting guidelines, the primary focus is on capturing clear, accurate methodological detail. Policy changes, accompanied by implementation and monitoring plans, will be particularly important when implementing the recommendations for research institutions and departments, publishers and editors, and funders. These organisations must act to create an environment that incentivises scientists to implement the recommendations for researchers and rewards them for doing so.