6 top reasons why scientists read reviews on SelectScience

Find out how unbiased lab product reviews are changing the world of science - and why not get involved yourself?

6 Dec 2021
Diane Li
Assistant Editor

Editorial article

Who doesn’t read the reviews before booking a restaurant or making an online purchase? Well, science is no different. In fact, for an industry built on the value of peer review, if anything, it could be argued that they are more influential in science than anywhere else — our own research shows that 96% of scientists expect to read independent reviews and testimonials prior to purchase of new lab products or services.

Scientific progress depends on effective communication and it will come as no surprise that our No. 1 goal here at SelectScience is to promote this by connecting scientists and manufacturers globally. We provide an independent platform for unbiased, fully moderated lab product reviews that scientists all over the world can benefit from as they seek out the best equipment to accelerate their work.

Below, in their own words, find out the key reasons why scientists love reading reviews on SelectScience. Why not get involved and write your own lab product review today? If you move quickly, you can enter our big festive giveaway for your chance to win an exclusive festive sweater>>

1. For unrivaled insight


 Reviews on SelectScience are important to help paint a more complete picture of the usability and reliability of instrumentation and services in a wide variety of scientific fields. The ability to use this channel for scientists around the world to voice their opinions provides invaluable information. Both users and vendors can take advantage of the reviews to make better informed decisions and aid in continuous improvement.

Mann Tatt Tam  The City of Calgary


2. To find the best products


 I think reviews are important because they help other people in the scientific community find the most appropriate equipment for their work. Reviews have helped me ensure that the equipment in my lab is the best quality.

Aimee Cory  


Quaker Houghton

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3. To solve problems


 SelectScience reviews are important as they provide an impartial way to solve every day practical questions, cases or small problems between specialists and quickly share practical experience without expected material benefits. Expert opinion - for free. 

Krum Bardarov  Sofia University


4. To avoid wasting money


 There are so many different laboratory products on the market, and it can be hard to choose what is best. These products are also often very expensive, so reviews help scientists choose what is best for them, which helps to avoid wasting money on the wrong product.

Abigail Carruthers  


Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

SelectScience provides scientists with a platform to share and read unbiased opinions on the latest technologies

5. To gain knowledge


 SelectScience provides a unique platform to decide the workflow with ease by getting exposure to choose the best instruments and reagents for your experiments and lab, which is very unique and useful for the larger community to improve their work environment and knowledge at a bigger scale. 

Neha Mittal  University of North Carolina


6. To improve results


 Experience is the best teacher. I love taking reviews from users of equipment and products rather than manufacturers, which will give light to better results in our lab.

Abdullahi Magaji Dauda  University of Bradford


Why not take 2 minutes to leave a lab product review today and help someone choose their next lab product? As a thank you, we will enter you into the Christmas competition for a chance to win a limited-edition festive sweater.

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Capillary ElectrophoresisCapillary electrophoresis (CE) is used to separate molecules based on charge, size and hydrophobicity. Pressure, voltage or a vacuum is used to introduce the sample to fused silica capillaries. Fluorescence, UV/Vis, UV or diode array detectors are used to visualize components. Types of CE systems include capillary electrochromatography (CEC), capillary zone electrophoresis and capillary gel electrophoresis. Find the best capillary electrophoresis equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ElectrophoresisElectrophoresis equipment is used to separate mixtures of protein, DNA or RNA, based on their electric charge, size and other physical characteristics, by passing them through a medium such as a polyacrylamide gel, an agarose gel or a capillary tube. Electrophoresis equipment includes horizontal and vertical gel electrophoresis chambers, isoelectric focusing systems, 2D electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis instruments. Precast gels with a gradient can be used or gels can be hand cast. Samples are run alongside ladders or markers to identify the approximate size of a molecule. Separated proteins and nucleic acids in the gel can be stained or probed with fluorescent markers and then imaged and detected using gel documentation instruments, transilluminators, densitometers and scanners. Find the best electrophoresis equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gas ChromatographyGas chromatography (GC) is an analytical technique used to separate and quantitate mixtures of small and volatile compounds. Gas chromatographs or GC systems include components such as GC columns, detectors, pumps and autosamplers. Choose from packed or capillary GC columns, flame ionization (FID), photoionization (PID) electron capture detectors and selective or non-selective detectors. Find the best gas chromatographs in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.UHPLC and HPLCHigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), also known as UPLC, are analytical techniques used to separate, identify and quantitate components of complex mixtures including biological samples such as proteins and lipids as well as chemical mixtures of pesticides, drugs and oils. Both techniques are liquid chromatographic methods but differ by operating pressures (HPLC < 6000 psi < UHPLC ). Components of HPLC and UHPLC systems include columns, detectors, pumps, autosamplers and column heaters. Explore a range of UHPLC and HPLC columns for your specific sample needs including reverse phase, normal phase, ion exchange, HILIC, ion exclusion and size exclusion columns. For more specialized HPLC, explore FPLC, countercurrent LC and simulated moving bed systems. Find the best UHPLC and HPLC equipment in our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Ion ChromatographyIon chromatography, also known as ion exchange chromatography, is a high-performance liquid chromatographic technique used for the separation and identification of ions or polar molecules in a sample, including proteins, nucleotides and amino acids. Equipment includes ion exchange columns, ion exclusion columns, ion chromatography systems, pumps, and detectors. Find the best ion chromatography equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.Size Exclusion ChromatographySize exclusion chromatography (SEC) is a liquid chromatographic technique used to separate and identify molecules based on their size, including polymers, proteins, nanoparticles & nucleic acid. SEC is further subdivided into gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) when an aqueous or organic mobile phase is used respectively. HPLC-based SEC systems and columns are available for analytical separation alongside SEC spin columns or filters to prep samples for many protocols. Find the best size exclusion chromatography equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Fluorescence SpectroscopyFluorometers and spectrofluorometers (also called fluorescence spectrometers) are used to measure the intensity and wavelength of fluorescent light emitted from a sample after excitation by illumination. Spectrofluorometers utilize monochromators to select the desired wavelengths, whereas filter fluorometers employ a set of filters. Spectrofluorometers for measuring steady-state fluorescence and lifetime fluorescence (or time-resolved fluorescence) are available, as well as fluorescence microscopes and microplate readers. Find the best fluorescence spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Infrared / IR SpectroscopyInfrared (IR) spectroscopy measures the interaction of infrared light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance & absorbance, facilitating the identification of analytes. Equipment used for quantitative analysis includes Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, infrared cameras, FTIR gas analyzers, as well as attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessories and pellet or film presses. Find the best IR spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.LC-MSLC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) systems and equipment are used for separation and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, combining liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Quantify proteins, contaminants, pesticides or screen for drug metabolites with a high level of sensitivity. LC-MS systems and equipment include reverse phase, normal phase and specialized columns integrated with various MS detectors such as time-of-flight (TOF), quadrupole, orbitrap or ion trap mass analyzers. LC-MS/MS instruments equipped with a qTOF or triple quadrupole analyzer give greater sensitivity and resolving power to your analysis. Find the best LC-MS equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. Near Infrared SpectroscopyNear-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy measures the interaction of near-infrared light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance and absorbance, facilitating the identification of analytes. Measurements can be conducted using a Fourier-transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer, while there are also UV-Vis- NIR spectrophotometers that measure a broader spectrum of wavelengths. Find the best NIR spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.NMR and EPR SpectroscopyNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is used to resolve the local chemical environment of atomic nuclei with spin, revealing information on molecular structure, dynamic processes and chemical reactions of organic molecules, from proteins to synthetics. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) also known as electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy is used to detect and quantify paramagnetic species in a sample, including free radicals as transition metal ions. By immersing the sample in a strong magnetic field, both NMR and EPR spectrometers probe the sample with either radio waves or microwaves respectively. A range of benchtop, solid-state and time domain NMR spectrometers & EPR spectrometers are available, as well as NMR tubes, NMR solvents, software, coils, and magnets. Find the best NMR & EPR equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Raman SpectroscopyRaman spectroscopy is used to discern the vibrational and rotational states of molecules and hence the chemical composition of a sample by measuring the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light. Explore a range of Raman spectrometers, including handheld/portable Raman spectrometers for QC/QA labs and in situ spectrometers for processes. Conduct Raman imaging for microanalysis of mixed samples using a Raman microscope. Raman spectrographs are also available. Find the best Raman spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.UV-Visible SpectroscopyUltraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometers are used to measure the interaction of UV and visible light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance & absorbance. The two major instrument classes are single-beam or double-beam spectrophotometers. More specialized equipment includes colorimeters, spectroradiometers and refractometers. Portable and microvolume spectrophotometers are also available. For the modular spectroscopy lab, explore a range of light sources for combination with a spectrograph/spectrometer and optics. Find the best UV-Vis spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.
6 top reasons why scientists read reviews on SelectScience