Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and correcting errors in nucleic acid amplification processes, and methods for using the same. In particular, barcode amplification errors are detected and corrected such that integrity in sample assignment is maintained. The methods are compatible with high throughput sequencing techniques as some of the barcodes are based upon Hamming codes, thereby allowing self-correction for single bit errors. Some methods and compositions of the invention allow characterization (e.g., sequencing) of a plurality of nucleic acid samples simultaneously within a single sequencing reaction.