Drop Date: October 2025

Align your sample organization with the requirements of contemporary multi-site, multi-analyte, multi-sample and specimen types and decentralized protocols. 

In protocols that involve biospecimen collection, a critical step is creating a system up front for organizing sampling logistics. The right sampling logistics reduces miscommunication among the many parties involved (e.g., project coordinators, research assistants, participants, participant caregivers, lab personnel, and investigators) that can cause sampling variability leading to missingness and measurement error. The cost of not putting a standard operating procedure in play for sampling logistics can be extensive, and the opportunity and actual costs compound at scale.   

Labeling conventions seem like an insignificant logistical detail but should be a key component of your sampling logistic plan.  Smart labeling provides easy to follow structure and visibility, and that structure combined with the execution of good sample collection methods is the definition of “good” for better data.  Goes without saying, more complete and higher quality biological data increases the probability of success in your biobehavioral studies.  

Smart Labeling

In the graphic below we illustrate the components of a “smart study label” concept. It is customizable to accommodate your specific research design. Labelling enables visual identification for use in the field. It is also scannable for creating sample rosters and subsequently sorting and merging data files.  The structure enables the deidentification of each specimen such that laboratory analyses and future work with the specimen follow ethical guidelines.  

Figure 1: Illustration of Smart label structure components:

Where:

0001 = Participant ID (zero-padded for sorting consistency) 

A-Z = Study group, wave, or cohort (optional, but highly recommended in longitudinal or stratified designs) 

1 = Collection day or visit (optional) 

01 = Sample sequence number for that day/group/participant (required for studies with more than 1 sample) 

Smart Labeling Examples

For example, here’s some common study design labels: 

Example 1: Three samples from a single day, no group assignment necessary 

Example 2: Two samples per day over 2 days, no group assignment necessary 

Example 3: Two samples per day over 1 day, from 2 different cohorts 

Example 4: 2 samples per day over 2 days, from 2 different cohorts 

Customized and Pre-assembled Participant Sampling Packs 

Salimetrics Participant Sampling Packs make executing smart study labelling simple.  You provide the specifics, and we got you covered. Your project’s Participant Sampling Packs will be customized to order to reflect your protocol’s ID, title, research design structure, and sampling collection scheme.    

Why Does Salimetrics Care?

Well, to be honest, Salimetrics is on the receiving end of samples from projects that have not always followed standard operating procedures in sampling logistics. We see firsthand the consequences; substantial missingness, samples without identifying information to connect lab results back to the study master data file, and this can impact statistical power such that detection of statistical significance is compromised.  

With comprehensive guidance you can trust, Salimetrics supports research teams in pursuing high-impact objectives that enhance the translational value of their studies. You’ve got this and we’re here whenever you need us. Still have questions? Contact Salimetrics anytime. We’re committed to helping you stay focused, so you can do what you do best.