Editorials

Researchers should minimize arbitrary choices in experimental design. Some tools are available to help.

The life sciences are dominated by a handful of model organisms, but unusual creatures have their place in biological research as well.

Images are among the richest data types that biologists collect, yet most biological images are not available for reanalysis or reuse. This may be changing.

The growing advantages of red to near-infrared fluorescent probes should move them beyond being a 'second color' in biological imaging.

With the ever-expanding use of CRISPR technology, the development of standards to quantitatively benchmark on- and off-target activity needs to keep pace.

The appetite for political engagement among scientists across the United States has increased since the 2016 election. If well channeled and sustained, this would be a positive development that could last beyond the current administration's tenure.

Careful construction of reference lists is the responsibility of every scientist.

Uncertainty reigns in many domains as the Trump administration takes power. Science is no exception. Federal support for biological research must continue. And scientists must not be silenced by political pressure.

Meta-analysis is common in clinical research, less so in basic biology, but it is also proving useful in some basic research contexts. It should help improve research reproducibility.

Reasoned, skeptical debate is the lifeblood of science. Its practitioners necessarily sit at the same table with others who disagree with them. This cannot be said of political discourse in America today.

Nature Methods now requires data availability statements to be supplied with research papers.

We take the opportunity to remind our readers of the materials sharing policy at Nature Methods.

Managing the growth in biomedical data requires coordinated strategies and a strong financial commitment by funders and institutions.

The scientific community benefits from infrastructure that facilitates the dissemination of cutting-edge methods.

With federal funding for life science becoming increasingly competitive in the United States, it would be a mistake, particularly for young investigators, not to carefully consider money from private sources.

Research on human embryos depends on precious samples that are inherently variable. Rigorous methods reporting should be the goal of published papers in the field.

New archives for raw X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM data will accelerate progress in structural biology.

We remind our readers about our policies on the use of preprints: in short, we support them. A Nature Methods author can post a preprint prior to submission without fearing a penalty.