From 016c705834cb4e5ec2b0c9a515a585fc9b1b3ffc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Oscar Esteban Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2025 22:43:24 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] enh: add a pitfall to the guidelines --- docs/extensions/guidelines.md | 20 ++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs/extensions/guidelines.md b/docs/extensions/guidelines.md index 133da7ea..667fbef6 100644 --- a/docs/extensions/guidelines.md +++ b/docs/extensions/guidelines.md @@ -181,6 +181,26 @@ We recommend that the core team has representatives from 3 different labs, preferably also with a mix of more junior and more senior contributors. You may also consider requesting explicit support letters from external labs. +### Confusing operational definitions with ontological ones + +A common pitfall in BEP development is the attempt to define neuroimaging constructs—such as "participant", "atlas", or "template"—as if writing a comprehensive ontology or reference manual for the field. +While this effort may be intellectually rigorous and well-intentioned, it does not align with the purpose of the BIDS specification. + +!!! warning "BIDS is not a general-purpose neuroimaging ontology." + + BIDS is a pragmatic standard for organizing and describing data in a way that maximizes shareability, and supports automated tools, validation, and reproducible workflows. + +BEPs should focus on definitions that are strictly necessary to enable BIDS to function. Definitions should be: + +- **Operational**: they must serve a specific purpose in the file naming, metadata structure, or schema validation. +- **Internally consistent**: they should align with existing BIDS conventions and avoid redefining core concepts already in use. +- **Minimal and scoped**: they should avoid generalizing beyond what is needed for BIDS to interpret, validate, and process the data. + +For example, rather than attempting to define what an experimental "run" means in all of neuroscience, BIDS specifies qualifies as a `run-` entity. +BEPs should make clear that the definitions they include are specific to BIDS and not intended to settle broader disciplinary debates. + +Avoiding ontological overreach helps the community focus on implementation, adoption, and consensus-building, rather than epistemological disagreements that can delay or derail otherwise useful proposals. + ## Specific guidelines If multiple BEPs need coordination, this document (section below) From 85162c882791f69ea8416b2e0aa7f608b707013e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Oscar Esteban Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2025 22:49:02 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] fix: missing word --- docs/extensions/guidelines.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/extensions/guidelines.md b/docs/extensions/guidelines.md index 667fbef6..e6fd064b 100644 --- a/docs/extensions/guidelines.md +++ b/docs/extensions/guidelines.md @@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ BEPs should focus on definitions that are strictly necessary to enable BIDS to f - **Internally consistent**: they should align with existing BIDS conventions and avoid redefining core concepts already in use. - **Minimal and scoped**: they should avoid generalizing beyond what is needed for BIDS to interpret, validate, and process the data. -For example, rather than attempting to define what an experimental "run" means in all of neuroscience, BIDS specifies qualifies as a `run-` entity. +For example, rather than attempting to define what an experimental "run" means in all of neuroscience, BIDS specifies what qualifies as a `run-` entity. BEPs should make clear that the definitions they include are specific to BIDS and not intended to settle broader disciplinary debates. Avoiding ontological overreach helps the community focus on implementation, adoption, and consensus-building, rather than epistemological disagreements that can delay or derail otherwise useful proposals. From a051af68d4849fa688302bee781c05a5ac52f025 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Oscar Esteban Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 22:56:08 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] fix: replace 'neuroimaging' -> 'neuroscientific' --- docs/extensions/guidelines.md | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/extensions/guidelines.md b/docs/extensions/guidelines.md index e6fd064b..581d0a9a 100644 --- a/docs/extensions/guidelines.md +++ b/docs/extensions/guidelines.md @@ -183,10 +183,10 @@ You may also consider requesting explicit support letters from external labs. ### Confusing operational definitions with ontological ones -A common pitfall in BEP development is the attempt to define neuroimaging constructs—such as "participant", "atlas", or "template"—as if writing a comprehensive ontology or reference manual for the field. +A common pitfall in BEP development is the attempt to define neuroscientific constructs—such as "participant", "atlas", or "template"—as if writing a comprehensive ontology or reference manual for the field. While this effort may be intellectually rigorous and well-intentioned, it does not align with the purpose of the BIDS specification. -!!! warning "BIDS is not a general-purpose neuroimaging ontology." +!!! warning "BIDS is not a general-purpose neuroscientific ontology." BIDS is a pragmatic standard for organizing and describing data in a way that maximizes shareability, and supports automated tools, validation, and reproducible workflows.