Open Research is the culture and practice of making all stages of the research lifecycle more open, transparent, collaborative, inclusive and efficient. This term covers Open Access to research outputs (eg protocols, methodology, results, publications, software and code), Open Data (more specifically FAIR data – findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable), open research platforms, tools and services and includes the drive for greater collaboration, impact, transparency, improved quality and public engagement in research. It also encompasses wider aspects of reproducibility in research. Our approach is to ensure data can be as open as possible but closed as necessary. At its core is the principle that research brings the most benefits the more widely it is shared. The Open Research movement aligns with The Concordat to Support Research Integrity (2019), the UK’s national framework to promote honesty, rigour, transparency and open communication, care and respect and accountability across all fields of research.
As a leading international technological university with socially progressive values, Strathclyde is committed to advancing Open Research policy and practice to maximise the benefits for academia, industry and society. We believe that a culture of openness and the practices associated with it, ensure that we uphold this statement by making our research outcomes, and the processes used to obtain them, as freely available and as transparent as possible.
What are the benefits of Open Research?
- removes barriers in access to publications for researchers & public
- supports principle of public good & creates public value
- adopts FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable & Reusable)
- promotes maximum effectiveness & impact of scientific enquiry sooner
- supports where public can be involved (co-creation, co-production & citizen science)
- creates faster communication between researchers & with the public
- supports speed of innovation in research field
- papers linked to open research data receive more citations: a KPI of the University
- clear Research Excellence Framework (REF) benefits in line with the University’s Vision 2025
- valuable for benchmarking
- enables reproducibility of work by others
Why is Open Research important?
The importance of Open Research is recognised by the number of global community initiatives that seek to drive forward this area such as the Berlin Declaration on Open Access, the Sorbonne Declaration on Research Data Rights, and the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
We continue to commit to further development in this area as evidenced by the University signing the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
Funders similarly recognise the value of Open Research and are increasingly including openness and transparency mandates as a condition of awards. Priorities for Open Research are driven by funder policies (including the new UKRI Policy on Open Access and Concordat on Open Research Data) and influenced by global initiatives such the Amsterdam Call for Action on Open Science and Plan S.
How can I make my research more open?
Research organisations and funders are increasingly recognising the importance of Open Research as a means to disseminate research results that can be checked, reproduced, and re-used for further research. Adopting such practices will help you in getting your research more widely known, increase your reputation in your field of research and help you grow your networks with other academics.
Take a look at our Guide to Making Your Research More Open.