The fNIRS Glossary Project: A Consensus-based Resource for Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Terminology
Authors: Stute Katharina , Gossé Louisa K , Montero-Hernandez Samuel Antonio , Perkins Guy A , Yücel Meryem Ayşe , Cutini Simone , Durduran Turgut , Ehl Ann-Christine , Ferrari Marco , Gervain Judit , Mesquita Rickson Coelho , Orihuela-Espina Felipe , Quaresima Valentina , Scholkmann Felix , Tachtsidis Ilias , Torricelli Alessandro , Wabnitz Heidrun , Yodh Arjun G. , Carp Stefan A. , Dehghani Hamid , Fang Qianqian , Fantini Sergio , Hoshi Yoko , Niu Haijing , Obrig Hellmuth , Klein Franziska , Artemenko Christina , Bajracharya Aahana , Barth Beatrix , Bartkowski Christian , Borot Lenaic , Bulgarelli Chiara , Busch David R. , Chojak Małgorzata , DeFreitas Jason M. , Diprossimo Laura , Dresler Thomas , Eken Aykut , Elsherif Mahmoud Medhat , Emberson L.Lauren , Exner Anna , Ferdous Talukdar Raian , Fiske Abigail , Forbes Samuel H. , Gemignani Jessica , Gerloff Christian , Guérin Ségolène M. R. , Guevara Edgar , Hamilton Antonia , Hosseini Hadi , Jain Divya , Kerr-German Anastasia N. , Kong Haiyan , Kroczek Agnes , Longhurst Jason K , Lührs Michael , MacLennan Rob J. , Mehler David Marc Anton , Meidenbauer Kimberly Lewis , Moreau David , Mutlu Murat C. , Orti Renato , Paranawithana Ishara , Pinti Paola , Jounghani Ali Rahimpour , Reindl Vanessa , Ross Nicholas A. , Sanchez-Alonso Sara , Seidel-Marzi Oliver , Shukla Mohinish , Usama Syed A. , Talati Musa , Vergotte Gregoire , Yaqub M. Atif , Yu Chia-Chuan , Zainodini Hanieh 
Published: November 2024

Significance A shared understanding of terminology is essential for clear scientific communication and minimizing misconceptions. This is particularly challenging in rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary domains that utilize functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), where researchers come from diverse backgrounds and apply their expertise in fields such as engineering, neuroscience, and psychology. Aim The fNIRS Glossary Project was established to develop a community-sourced glossary covering key fNIRS terms, including those related to the continuous-wave (CW), frequency-domain (FD) and time-domain (TD) NIRS techniques. Approach The glossary was collaboratively developed by a diverse group of 76 fNIRS researchers, representing a wide range of career stages (from PhD students to experts) and disciplines. This collaborative process, structured across five phases, ensured the glossary's depth and comprehensiveness. Results The glossary features over 300 terms categorized in six key domains: analysis, experimental design, hardware, neuroscience, mathematics, and physics (https://openfnirs.org/standards/fnirs-glossary-project). It also includes abbreviations, symbols, synonyms, references, alternative definitions, and figures where relevant. Conclusions The fNIRS glossary provides a community-sourced resource that facilitates education and effective scientific communication within the fNIRS community and related fields. By lowering barriers to learning and engaging with fNIRS, the glossary is poised to benefit a broad spectrum of researchers, including those with limited access to educational resources.