Open science

Open science, also called open research, is a global movement for transparency. It aims to make scientific research accessible to all levels of society. This includes sharing publications, data, software, and physical samples. Scientists use collaborative networks to spread this knowledge. The movement covers many different fields of study. While it is common in STEM, the term "open research" is used more in the arts and humanities. Some people also use the term "open scholarship" to include educators.

The research process involves several specific steps. Scientists first collect and analyze data. Then, they publish their findings for others to see. Other researchers can then critique or reuse that data. However, several barriers often stop this process from being fully open. Some for-profit publishers use financial paywalls to restrict access. Others use proprietary software that makes data hard to repurpose. Some scientists also feel a cultural reluctance to share their work. They may fear losing control over how their information is used.

This movement is not a brand new revolution. It continues practices that began in the 17th century. During that time, the first academic journals were created. These journals allowed scientists to share resources as demand for knowledge grew. Today, the movement arises from tensions within the scientific community. Some scientists follow ethical codes that require transparency. Other pressures lead to competition and the exclusive handling of research. Institutional interests also exist to protect information for profit.

Sociologists Benedikt Fecher and Sascha Friesike identified five schools of thought. The first is the Infrastructure School. This group sees research efficiency as a technological challenge. They focus on internet-based tools like computing networks and software. One major trend here is distributed computing. This allows scientists to use a network of volunteer computers worldwide. The Open Science Grid is a specific example of this. Another trend is the use of social and collaboration networks. These digital tools make it easier for researchers to coordinate their work.

The second group is the Measurement School. This school focuses on how we determine scientific impact. Traditional methods often rely on journal circulation or citations. However, these do not always reflect true article quality. This school suggests using "altmetrics" to measure impact. Altmetrics are new ways to track research through social media and blogs. They look at traces like bookmarks, shares, and discussions. This approach aims to capture the entire research lifecycle. Currently, the methods for using altmetrics are still in their infancy.

The third group is the Public School. Their main goal is making science accessible to a wider audience. One part of this is "citizen science." This is when non-scientists or amateurs participate in research. For example, some people use gaming tools to help study protein structures. This allows scientists to use a large volunteer workforce. Another part of this school focuses on comprehensibility. They believe researchers have an obligation to make results understandable. They may use microblogging to direct people to important literature.

The fourth group is the Democratic School. This school focuses on the legal rights to research products. They argue that everyone has an equal right to knowledge. This is especially important for research funded by the state. They promote two main ideas: Open Access and Open Data. Open Data advocates oppose journals claiming copyright over experimental data. They believe sharing data increases the efficiency of science. Currently, only about 25 percent of researchers actively share their datasets. Many cite the administrative burden as a reason for not sharing.

The final group is the Pragmatic School. This school views open science as a way to increase efficiency. They believe research is better when stages are conducted transparently. Researchers should share intermediate results across different institutions. This approach is similar to the concept of "open innovation." By sharing knowledge during the process, scientists can work more effectively. This helps the entire system of knowledge production move faster.