Reforms to improve reproducibility and quality must be coordinated across the research ecosystem: the view from the UKRN Local Network Leads

BMC Research Notes

Jessica Butler¹  Anna Samara²  Caroline Jay³  Nick Ballou⁴  Charlotte R. Pennington⁵  Gonçalo R. da Silva⁶  Suzanne L. K. Stewart⁷  Stephanie Rossit⁸  Zoltan Dienes⁹ 

[1]Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK

[2]Centre for Thinking & Learning, Institute for Lifecourse Development, School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9LS, London, UK

[3]Department of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, UK

[4]Game AI Group, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, London, UK

[5]Institute of Health & Neurodevelopment, School of Psychology, College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, B4 7ET, Birmingham, UK

[6]School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, BT9 5DL, Belfast, UK

[7]School of Psychology, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, CH1 4BJ, Chester, UK

[8]School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

[9]School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QH, Brighton, UK

关键词: Science and Technology Committee;    Integrity;    Reproducibility;    Transparency;    Open research;    Open scholarship;    Research infrastructure;    UK Reproducibility Network;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13104-022-05949-w

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Many disciplines are facing a “reproducibility crisis”, which has precipitated much discussion about how to improve research integrity, reproducibility, and transparency. A unified effort across all sectors, levels, and stages of the research ecosystem is needed to coordinate goals and reforms that focus on open and transparent research practices. Promoting a more positive incentive culture for all ecosystem members is also paramount. In this commentary, we—the Local Network Leads of the UK Reproducibility Network—outline our response to the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry on research integrity and reproducibility. We argue that coordinated change is needed to create (1) a positive research culture, (2) a unified stance on improving research quality, (3) common foundations for open and transparent research practice, and (4) the routinisation of this practice. For each of these areas, we outline the roles that individuals, institutions, funders, publishers, and Government can play in shaping the research ecosystem. Working together, these constituent members must also partner with sectoral and coordinating organisations to produce effective and long-lasting reforms that are fit-for-purpose and future-proof. These efforts will strengthen research quality and create research capable of generating far-reaching applications with a sustained impact on society.

【 授权许可】

CC BY