Are reproducible methods the next phase of open science, and can funders create the change?

Abstract

Open science contains many facets including open access, open data and open software. A further facet, open methods, are far less frequently used or discussed. However, open methods support reproducibility, reusability and research integrity, particularly within ‘wet-lab’ sciences where pre-registration may not accurately describe the final methods.

Within Parkinson’s Disease research, the funder Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), has a strict requirement to share methods. This analysis compares the presence of Protocols.io links or methods journal citations between ASAP and other similar funders. Protocols.io links were found to be associated with ASAP funding, but were also associated with NIH funding. Methods Journal citations were also associated with NIH funding. The study concludes that funder requirements and culture can have a strong influence on the open research behaviour of its researchers, but that it may not need to be explicit.