Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background: There is a growing global movement towards open science and ensuring that health research is more transparent. It is vital that the researchers are adequately prepared for this research environment from early in their careers. However, limited research has been conducted on the barriers...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2021-01-01
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| Series: | HRB Open Research |
| Online Access: | https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/3-56/v2 |
| _version_ | 1818382596569038848 |
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| author | Ksenija Zečević Catherine Houghton Chris Noone Hopin Lee Karen Matvienko-Sikar Elaine Toomey |
| author_facet | Ksenija Zečević Catherine Houghton Chris Noone Hopin Lee Karen Matvienko-Sikar Elaine Toomey |
| author_sort | Ksenija Zečević |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: There is a growing global movement towards open science and ensuring that health research is more transparent. It is vital that the researchers are adequately prepared for this research environment from early in their careers. However, limited research has been conducted on the barriers and enablers to practicing open science for early career researchers. This study aimed to explore the views, experiences and factors influencing open science practices amongst ECRs working in health research. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of ECRs working in health research. Participants also completed surveys regarding the factors influencing open science practices. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data and descriptive statistical analyses were used to analyse survey data. Results: 14 ECRs participated. Two main themes were identified from interview data; Valuing Open Science and Creating a Culture for Open Science. Within ‘Valuing Open Science’, participants spoke about the conceptualisation of open science to be open across the entire research cycle, and important for producing better and more impactful research for patients and the public. Within ‘Creating a Culture of Open Science’ participants spoke about a number of factors influencing their practice of open science. These included cultural and academic pressures, the positives and negatives of increased accountability and transparency, and the need for more training and supporting resources to facilitate open science practices. Conclusion: ECRs see the importance of open science for beneficially impacting patient and public health but many feel that they are not fully supported to practice open science. Resources and supports including education and training are needed, as are better incentives for open science activities. Crucially, tangible engagement from institutions, funders and researchers is needed to facilitate the development of an open science culture. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T02:52:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b64d0f773279477cbfd42fad7e9daa33 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2515-4826 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T02:52:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HRB Open Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-b64d0f773279477cbfd42fad7e9daa332022-12-21T23:19:42ZengF1000 Research LtdHRB Open Research2515-48262021-01-01310.12688/hrbopenres.13119.214368Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Ksenija Zečević0Catherine Houghton1Chris Noone2Hopin Lee3Karen Matvienko-Sikar4Elaine Toomey5Faculty of Arts, Department of Psychology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SloveniaSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, IrelandSchool of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, IrelandCentre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKSchool of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, IrelandSchool of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, IrelandBackground: There is a growing global movement towards open science and ensuring that health research is more transparent. It is vital that the researchers are adequately prepared for this research environment from early in their careers. However, limited research has been conducted on the barriers and enablers to practicing open science for early career researchers. This study aimed to explore the views, experiences and factors influencing open science practices amongst ECRs working in health research. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of ECRs working in health research. Participants also completed surveys regarding the factors influencing open science practices. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data and descriptive statistical analyses were used to analyse survey data. Results: 14 ECRs participated. Two main themes were identified from interview data; Valuing Open Science and Creating a Culture for Open Science. Within ‘Valuing Open Science’, participants spoke about the conceptualisation of open science to be open across the entire research cycle, and important for producing better and more impactful research for patients and the public. Within ‘Creating a Culture of Open Science’ participants spoke about a number of factors influencing their practice of open science. These included cultural and academic pressures, the positives and negatives of increased accountability and transparency, and the need for more training and supporting resources to facilitate open science practices. Conclusion: ECRs see the importance of open science for beneficially impacting patient and public health but many feel that they are not fully supported to practice open science. Resources and supports including education and training are needed, as are better incentives for open science activities. Crucially, tangible engagement from institutions, funders and researchers is needed to facilitate the development of an open science culture.https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/3-56/v2 |
| spellingShingle | Ksenija Zečević Catherine Houghton Chris Noone Hopin Lee Karen Matvienko-Sikar Elaine Toomey Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] HRB Open Research |
| title | Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Exploring factors that influence the practice of Open Science by early career health researchers: a mixed methods study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | exploring factors that influence the practice of open science by early career health researchers a mixed methods study version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| url | https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/3-56/v2 |
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