Open Research extends the principles of Open Access publishing to the whole research cycle, inclusive of research protocols, data, code, software, and much more. Although ways of working vary across research communities, every area can benefit from adopting these principles.
What do we mean by Open Research?
Open Research can be described in terms of key concepts and practices. Key concepts are those of collaboration, accessibility, transparency and reproducibility. Key practices include:
- The pre-registration of study designs and use of results-blind reporting mechanisms to increase transparency and counter publication bias;
- The preservation and sharing (under open licence wherever possible) of data, code and materials supporting research results;
- The use of digital tools to make research methods, protocols and equipment open and reproducible;
- The use of (open source) programming languages to implement reproducible research and analysis workflows;
- The open access publication of peer-reviewed research outputs;
- The use of preprints and open peer review to accelerate dissemination and increase transparency in the certification process.
By adopting open research principles, you can make your research findings more robust, making it more attractive to readers, policy makers and funders. You can also ensure that your findings and insights reach the people who need it most.
A one minute introduction from the Wellcome Trust, the global charitable foundation dedicated to solving healthcare challenges.
- University of Hull Research Forum 1 Feb 2024
Slides in which University of Hull Open Research lead Professor Iain Brennan outlines the drivers for Open Research, the principles, the institutional strategy and some questions for researchers to consider.
