1.1 Defining Open Science: concepts and pillars

Description

In this unit you will learn to:

Describe the current policy landscape that shapes knowledge production in SSH

Learning resources

Presentation Slides

Open Science

Open Science is a complex concept that can be approached from different perspectives. In this introductory module, we focus on key elements to establish a basic understanding of Open Science. These elements include

Defining Open Science: We will explore different definitions and examine the differences between them to provide a comprehensive snapshot.
Values and Principles: We will discuss the core values and principles that underpin Open Science and consider how their adoption can influence a researcher's approach.
Pillars of Open Science: We will identify the different facets of Open Science and understand how they integrate to drive a cohesive movement.

This framework will guide our perspective throughout the course. It is important to recognise that Open Science goes beyond the scope of this module. Participants are encouraged to deepen their understanding of Open Science through ongoing learning and exploration.

Definition

For the definition we rely on two sources as they work complementary to each other:

Definition of Open Science according to the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science
Definition of Open Science according to the Glossary of Framework for Open and Reproducible Research Training (FORRT)

The definition by UNESCO (2022) encapsulates the philosophical underpinnings and motivations of Open Science and the motivations as well as the aims of what it hopes to achieve:

Open science is a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole.

Open science is about making sure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.

As defined by FORRT, the operationalisation of Open Science is achieved through its six major components: open data, open methodology, open source, open access, open peer review, and open educational resources. Each of these aspects plays a crucial role in the scientific process.

-	Open data is at the heart of these efforts because of the importance of data in relation to research results. Making data publicly available enables reproducibility and the use of other methods to replicate research results. However, it is important to note that open data alone is not enough.
-	Open methodology should accompany all efforts to share data openly. Raw data alone cannot enable reuse by other researchers. Methodologies provide a map of how research has been conducted and thus provide further context to the research data.
-	Open source typically refers to software that can be freely accessed, modified and distributed by anyone. This non-proprietary approach to software development encourages greater interoperability of resources, facilitating wider collaboration across different disciplines. In addition, open source software forms the backbone of open infrastructures, supporting their use and expansion.
-	Open access to literature and open peer review processes democratise knowledge and maintain the rigour of scientific communication, ensuring that knowledge and discoveries are available to all.
-	Finally, open educational resources promote lifelong learning and engagement with science, ensuring that the public can benefit from and contribute to scientific knowledge.

The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science outlines a series of values and principles that encompass a variety of components within their scope (See Figure 1). The foundational values of open science are built on a comprehensive set of implications that span ethical, philosophical, economic, legal, political, social, and technological dimensions, as they relate to integrating science into society. Equally crucial are the guiding principles for open science which help establish a structure that provides the necessary conditions and practices to actualise the aspirations of open science.

Figure 1: UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science: Values & Principles. (Image Source: Wikimedia Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pillars

To enhance our definition of Open Science, it is beneficial to examine the foundational pillars of Open Science as detailed in the advisory paper 'Open Science and its role in universities: a roadmap for cultural change,' published by the League of European Research Universities (LERU). This document offers critical insights into the integral components that support the Open Science framework.

In this roadmap, the authors outline 8 dimensions:

The future of Scholarly publishing
FAIR Data
The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)
Education and skills
Rewards and incentives
Next-generation metrics
Research Integrity
Citizen Science

These different dimensions underscore the transformative impact of the Open Science movement on research culture and highlight its ambition to foster engagement with societal stakeholders.

In the first section, we've outlined a working definition of Open Science to provide a common basis for understanding this crucial concept. As future trainers, you'll have the flexibility to adapt this definition to better suit the specific needs and backgrounds of your future audiences.

References

Ayris, P., Lopez de San Román, A., Maes, K., & Labastida, I. (2018). Open science and its role in universities: A roadmap for cultural change. Leuven: LERU Office. Available at: https://www.leru.org/files/LERU-AP24-Open-Science-full-paper.pdf https://www.leru.org/files/LERU-AP24-Open-Science-full-paper.pdf (Accessed 12 July 2024)

Elsherif, M., Flack, Z., Kalandadze, T., Pennington, C. R., & Xiao, Q. (2024, July 13). Open Science. FORRT - Framework for Open and Reproducible Research Training. https://forrt.org/glossary/english/open_science/

UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization). (2021). Recommendation on open science. UNESCO: Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379949.locale=en (Accessed 12 July 2024).