Reproducible reporting benefits from version control. Version control systems such as Git track changes to scripts and documents. They help teams see what changed, when, and why. Even when a team does not use a full collaborative Git workflow, it should still have a disciplined approach to file versions, script review, and output archiving.
Clinical research teams should avoid file names as such final_report_final_revised_latest.docx. Such names are common because teams
need versioning but lack a system. A better approach is to use dated outputs and controlled source files:
reports/
weekly_data_quality_report.qmd
outputs/reports/
weekly_data_quality_report_2026-06-01.html
weekly_data_quality_report_2026-06-08.html
The report template remains stable. Rendered outputs are archived by date. If the template changes, the change should be documented and reviewed.
| Control | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Script review | Detect logic errors before routine use |
| Version control | Track changes to code and report templates |
| Output archiving | Preserve what was shared at each reporting date |
| Metadata | Document data export and report generation date |
| Validation checks | Compare report outputs with known counts |
| Approval workflow | Ensure outputs are reviewed before distribution |