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Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Software
Gene name errors: Lessons not learned
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Identified Weaknesses
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Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
Gene Name Errors in Spreadsheets: Still a Thing!
This study found that gene name errors in supplementary Excel files continue to be a problem in genomics research, with a higher prevalence (30.9%) than previously reported. The errors are often due to automatic conversion of gene names into dates or other data formats, which is particularly prevalent in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Five-digit numbers (internal date format) represent a new major source of errors, contributing to the discrepancy from past reports.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Weaknesses
Limited Scope of Analysis
The study focuses on open-access articles in PubMed Central and those with the keyword "genom*" in the title or abstract, limiting the generalizability of the findings to all published scientific literature.
Potential for Missed Errors
While manual verification of suspected errors was performed, there remains a possibility that some errors were missed, particularly those in horizontal lists or with non-standard formats.
Lack of Impact Assessment
The study identifies the prevalence of gene name errors but doesn't deeply investigate the downstream consequences of these errors on research conclusions. Further research is needed to quantify the real-world impact.
Rating Explanation
This study provides valuable insights into the persistent problem of gene name errors in supplementary data files and highlights the need for improved research practices. The updated screening method and extensive analysis of PubMed Central articles strengthen the findings. While some limitations exist regarding the scope and impact assessment, the overall methodology is sound and the findings are relevant to improving the quality of published research.
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File Information
Original Title:
Gene name errors: Lessons not learned
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File Size:
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Uploaded:
July 14, 2025 at 11:22 AM
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