Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Research in Weed Science

摘要

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were developed for repetitive field research tasks to help ensure that instructions were complete and to provide consistency and continuity in the senior author's field research program. SOPs are explicit step-by-step instructions for carrying out experimental tasks that are components of experimental plans. SOPs are not the same as protocols for unique, new experimental plans. However, protocols may incorporate sequences of SOPs, if desired. SOPs are most useful for new workers and when research tasks need to be repeated infrequently in time (e.g., once every 6 mo or less per year). SOPs may help researchers enhance data accuracy, precision, and reproducibility as part of their own statistical quality control procedures. The authors' field-tested SOPs are available on diskette for critical review, modification, and use by interested weed scientists.