Guide on Filling in a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) First Page Format Institution: [Enter institution name] Title: [Enter SOP title] Short title/ID: [Enter short identifier] Created: [Enter creation date] Management responsibility: [Specify responsible department or personnel] Related SOP: [List related SOPs if applicable] Category: [Define category] Version: [Enter version number] Responsibility: [Identify responsible person(s)] Status: [Specify status: Draft, Approved, Revised, etc.] Safety instructions: [Include any relevant safety precautions] Purpose/Field of application: [Briefly describe the purpose and scope] Author: [List author(s)] Reviewed by: [Specify reviewer(s)] Revision Number: [Enter revision number] Revision Date: [Enter last revision date] Last Review Date: [Enter last review date] From page 2 onward, you can select from the roll-up what you wish to describe in detail - whether it is the material, quality, references, or the procedural instructions. E.g., Materials and Equipment Provide a comprehensive list of all required materials, reagents, instruments, and software. Include specific details such as catalogue numbers, specifications, and software versions to ensure reproducibility. E.g., Procedure Organize the process into clear, sequential steps using numbered lists for clarity. Include safety precautions where applicable. Use illustrations, flowcharts, or appendices to enhance understanding. E.g., others such as quality assurance Explain how data integrity, reliability, and reproducibility are ensured. Define control points, potential errors, and corrective actions. Specify formats for data recording (e.g., lab notebooks, electronic files). Outline requirements for data retention, including raw data, metadata, and processed results. Reference legal and scientific standards (e.g., Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)). Cite relevant guidelines for maintaining reproducibility. Have an independent reviewer verify the SOP for clarity and comprehensibility. Consider sharing your SOP with the broader community (e.g., via Zenodo).

In line with the European Commission's Open Science policy, research publications and data should be publicly available on the internet and accessible to anyone for exploitation. Ensuring the long-term accessibility of research data is fundamental to maintaining the economic viability of the research production process. However, data availability alone is not sufficient; its quality must also be verifiable. Measures to ensure reuse and reproducibility must encompass the entire research life cycle, from experimental design and data generation to quality control, statistical analysis, interpretation, and validation of results. High-quality records, particularly those providing a documented and verifiable origin of data, are essential as they serve as a certificate for potential users. These records enhance the traceability and transparency of data and processes, thereby increasing the reliability of research outcomes. Well-structured documentation, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), plays a crucial role in establishing clear instructions designed to prevent deviations, ensuring absolute reproducibility and adherence to best practices. However, academic life science research still lacks widely agreed-upon procedures for complex routine research workflows. Implementing well-defined SOPs addresses this gap by providing a structured framework that facilitates consistency, improves data integrity, and supports regulatory compliance.

This document builds upon the work of COST Action CHARME CA15110, generously supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, www.cost.eu). It has been further refined through funding and contributions of the H2020 project OXIPRO (Grant Agreement ID101000607), in collaboration with SB Science Management .