Experimental Method Data type
What is an Experimental Method?
The Experimental Method (also called analytical method or measurement technique) is the specific procedure, technique, or instrumentation used to measure or analyze samples in the laboratory. It describes how the data was generated.
Why It Matters
- Reproducibility: Other researchers can replicate the experiment using the same method
- Data Comparison: Only data generated with comparable methods should be compared
- Quality Assessment: Different methods have different accuracy, precision, and detection limits
- Method Selection: Understanding which method was used helps interpret results appropriately
Common Experimental Methods in Metabolomics
Mass Spectrometry Methods
- LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry): Separates compounds before detection
- GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry): For volatile and thermally stable compounds
- Direct Injection MS: Fast analysis without separation step
- MS/MS (Tandem MS): Provides structural information about metabolites
NMR Spectroscopy
- 1H-NMR: Proton NMR for metabolite profiling
- 13C-NMR: Carbon NMR for structural elucidation
Chromatography Methods
- HPLC: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
- UPLC: Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (faster, higher resolution)
What to Enter in This Field
Enter the name of the specific method used, such as:
- "LC-MS/MS" (Tandem LC-MS)
- "GC-MS" (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
- "1H-NMR" (Proton NMR)
- "UPLC-QTOF" (Ultra-Performance LC with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight)
- "Targeted LC-MS" for specific metabolite panels
- "Untargeted LC-MS" for global metabolite profiling
If unsure, check:
- Laboratory protocols or standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Instrument method files
- Laboratory information management system (LIMS)
- Metadata files from the instrument
Method Variations to Note
When recording the experimental method, consider noting:
- Instrument manufacturer and model (e.g., "Agilent 6530 Q-TOF")
- Ionization mode (positive/negative mode for MS)
- Extraction method (how metabolites were extracted from samples)
- Derivatization (chemical modification to improve detection, common in GC-MS)
Related Terms
- Date of Measurement: When the analysis was performed
- Biofluid: The type of sample being analyzed
- Metabolomics: The study of metabolites
- LOD: Limit of Detection (method-specific)