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Glossary · CRediT contributor roles

What does “Investigation” mean in CRediT?

Investigation is the CRediT role for carrying out the research work itself: performing the experiments, or collecting data and evidence, by following or adapting the planned methods. It applies to quantitative and qualitative research alike.

Investigation is one of the 14 roles of CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy), published as the ANSI/NISO Z39.104-2022 standard. NISO (National Information Standards Organization) defines it as “Conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the experiments, or data/evidence collection.” It describes the role as implementing planned methods to generate the data and evidence behind findings.

NISO’s examples include carrying out or adapting methods to collect or produce data, testing hypotheses and keeping a record of how the research was done, looking for and reviewing literature, samples, data and other evidence, and reporting results so that others can discuss and analyze them.

Designing the methods is Methodology; Investigation carries them out. Cleaning and preserving the collected data is Data curation, and analyzing it is Formal analysis. In NISO’s examples, recruiting participants is Project administration and providing patients, samples or materials is Resources. The examples also list searching the literature under Investigation, while defining a systematic review’s search strategy and criteria falls under Methodology. One person can hold several roles, and one role can be given to several people; the examples are illustrative, not exhaustive.

Example

In a hypothetical interview study, the researcher who conducts and records the interviews according to the protocol would appear in the statement as: M.N.: Investigation. The colleague who designed the interview guide would appear as: O.P.: Methodology.

A point to watch

The name “Investigation” is not a title for the principal investigator: NISO defines the role by the work done, performing experiments or collecting data and evidence. Oversight and leadership are described by Supervision. For authorship, the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) counts acquiring data toward its first criterion, but all four criteria must be met.

Related terms

Guides and tools

Sources

  1. Investigation – CRediT — NISO (CRediT)
  2. ANSI/NISO Z39.104-2022, CRediT, Contributor Roles Taxonomy — NISO, 2022
  3. CRediT role descriptors — NISO (CRediT)
  4. Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors (ICMJE Recommendations) — International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)