def get_element_list(param):
    """Extract elements from parameter class object"""
    element_list = param["non_fitting_values"]["element_list"]
    element_list = [e.strip(" ") for e in element_list.split(",")]
    # Unfortunately, "".split(",") returns [""] instead of [], but we need [] !!!
    if element_list == [""]:
        element_list = []
    return element_list