Open science is a movement and practice to conduct research and make knowledge more openly available, accessible, and reusable for everyone. In recent years, with UNESCO’s recommendation on Open Science, the Canadian Roadmap for Open Science, and the introduction of the Tri-Agencies Research Data Management Policy, it is clear there is a national and international alignment in promoting a more transparent, accessible, and inclusive scientific process.
By making scientific research accessible, it encourages values of collective benefit and equity. Conducting research transparently reinforces scientific rigour and integrity, encouraging high quality and accuracy of results. Open science practices include registering study protocols, preprints, sharing study materials and data, and publishing in an open access format. Sharing data and materials offers the potential for new research to build upon existing data in ways that closed data cannot, therefore strongly encouraging research innovation.
Open science practices are not typically formally taught to researchers during training. By learning about open practices and principles, researchers can be equipped to adapt to a changing research landscape and contribute to the benefits of accessible and reproducible research.
