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Open Research: Open Research

This guide provides basic information about principles of openness in Science & Research .

Open Research

Open research encompasses the entire research process, to make all aspects of the research cycle accessible. 

The principles of open research are applicable to all disciplines. Open practices will vary depending on the nature of research and could include results, software and code, methodology, protocols and documentation, as well as open access publications and data. Other open research initiatives are study preregistration, use of preprints and open peer review.

In the arts and humanities, open research takes many forms, which may include sharing digital humanities methods and tools, reflections on your research practice, notes, audio-visual materials and annotated bibliographies.

Funders including UKRI and Welcome recognize the value of open research. Both have policies emphasizing open research practices.

As open as possible, as closed as necessary

Research should be “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”. Some research outputs cannot be openly available due to ethical, legal or commercial restrictions.

Five Key Aspects of Open Research

  1. Open access publishing makes your research outputs freely available online. Your published research can then be downloaded, read and reused under open licensing conditions.
  2. Open data can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone for any purpose. It is made available under an open licence like Creative Commons. Not all data can be made open due to commercial or personal data considerations. However, data can be FAIR – findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable – without being open: restricted-access data could be FAIR if the descriptive metadata is openly accessible.
  3. Open platforms, tools and services help to enhance research efficiency. It is important to share detailed instructions on how to use and build equipment, and to use open, non-proprietary platforms where possible. Use open licences to share code and software.
  4. An open approach to conducting research enables a collaborative and inclusive approach with researchers across disciplines and sectors, including the public who can contribute to the research process through citizen science for example. All research contributors are openly acknowledged through a CRediT author statement or equivalent.
  5. Transparency and public engagement builds trust and accountability with the public and makes the university a trusted, respected and valued partner in society. Ensuring that research methodology can be examined in detail enables others to gain a deeper understanding of research results and integrity.

Benefits

For some researchers, practicing open research is already second nature. Others may feel it adds another stage to the research process, but there are significant benefits for you and the research community.

Practicing open research:

  • demonstrates your research is robust
  • helps other researchers to reproduce your results
  • helps other researchers to avoid repeating research
  • ensures you retain access to your own work in the long term
  • enables faster dissemination and impact, helping to raise your research profile
  • extends the reach and impact of research outside academia
  • increases opportunities for collaboration
  • increases chances of citations.
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