The foundation is introducing a checklist in the application process to enhance reproducibility and facilitate cross-study comparisons of light-based interventions in human studies.
Research findings which can be repeated allow progress and generate trust in science. Cross-study comparisons allow to find generalisations. In an ideal world, any study should be reproducible, and data should be comparable across different studies. To foster these two study traits, standardized documentation of the data and the data collection is needed in a comprehensive way. This is especially important in fields where there is no consensus on reporting, like in laboratory-based investigations about the non-visual effects of light for humans.
A necessary standardisation
The impact of light on non-visual functions, such as our biological clock, alertness, mood, and cognitive function, varies significantly among individuals. Minor differences in light exposure parameters can lead to substantial variations in study outcomes. This necessitated a standardized approach to measurement and reporting of light characteristics. The ENLIGHT Checklist addresses this challenge and ensures better data aggregation as well as comparability across studies.
The ENLIGHT Checklist was developed through a structured participative process involving 60 international experts (ENLIGHT: Expert Network on LIGHT Interventions). The group condensed an initial list of 61 items into a final checklist of 25, with 9 identified as essential for reporting regardless of the research context. The checklist covers a range of light metrics, including irradiance, luminance, melanopic quantities, and spectral power distribution, aiming to standardize measurement and reporting practices in the field (to the original publication).
A user-friendly tool
The ENLIGHT Checklist is meant as a practical tool in the design and reporting of human (laboratory) studies of the impact of light on non-visual physiology. Its user-friendly, form-based fillable PDF format, available for download, allows for easy integration into the research workflow. The checklist, accompanied by an Explanation and Elaboration document, offers comprehensive guidance and definitions for each item, ensuring completeness in reporting.
While the checklist is tailored for human laboratory studies, it can be used for other contexts, including daylight and field studies. The ENLIGHT Steering Committee emphasizes ongoing feedback through their GitHub repository, fostering a collaborative approach to further refine the checklist and support its widespread adoption.
Velux Stiftung is supporting its adoption
The goals of the ENLIGHT Checklist are well aligned with Velux Stiftung’s mission in daylight research. A standard is however only effective if used. The foundation therefore requires the ENLIGHT Checklist for the relevant applications in daylight research and in the reporting of grants starting from the April 2024 deadline. The foundation is convinced that the consensus-driven approach, its systematic development, and emphasis on transparency and reproducibility make the ENLIGHT Checklist a valuable tool in advancing the understanding of daylight’s profound effects on human physiology and behaviour.
