Open science
Open science is an umbrella term for various ideas and practices to make research more transparent and easier to access and reuse.
An open research process primarily involves scientific texts, results, and data, but it can also mean that the process itself – from start to finish – is open. This could include making notes, logbooks, data management plans, and other materials accessible to provide insight into the data, the researcher’s working methods, and the considerations made during the research process.
Why should research data be openly accessible?
Open science and accessible research data are important for several reasons. One of the most fundamental is that research results must be reproducible. When research data and methods are openly accessible, other researchers can review and validate the findings.
Open access to data and research results also enables researchers to build on each other’s work. When data are available to everyone, researchers from different disciplines and parts of the world can collaborate more effectively. Open science fosters a culture of sharing, which is crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change and pandemics.
A significant part of research today is publicly funded, which provides an argument for making the results available to the public. Transparency enhances accountability in research and strengthens public understanding of science and its societal benefits.
A scientific transition – globally and locally
The EU has been a key player in the transition towards a more open scientific system, and the European Council has adopted several conclusions that address aspects of open science. The EU actively supports its member states through various initiatives, such as the Horizon Europe framework programme. Within the European Research Area (ERA), open science remains a priority. On a global level, UNESCO has also contributed recommendations on open science.
In Sweden, the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet, VR) has been tasked with coordinating, monitoring, and promoting collaboration in the transition to open access to research data. The guiding principle in this work is that access to research data should be made “as open as possible, as restricted as necessary.”
Read more about VR’s work on open access to research data, including annual reports on Sweden’s progress towards open access: Open access to research dataOpens in a new tab (VR.se).
The National Library of Sweden (Kungliga biblioteket, KB) has a national mandate to coordinate open access to scientific publications. Additionally, on behalf of the Swedish government, KB has developed national guidelines to promote open science, covering areas such as scholarly publications, research data, and research methods.
For more information about KB’s guidelines and work with open science, see National guidelines for promoting open science in SwedenOpens in a new tab (KB.se).
In 2022, the so-called Swedish open data law governing accessibility to public sector data (Lag (2022:818) om den offentliga sektorns tillgängliggörande av data) came into force. It stipulates how and in what format research data should be made accessible, as well as to what extent researchers can impose conditions on data reuse. For example, researchers are not permitted to only make data accessible to individuals they trust or wish to collaborate with; data should be made openly accessible to the greatest extent possible.
SND – a key actor in the transition to open science
In Sweden, the Swedish Research Council supports several organizations working towards open and accessible data, including SND, which is a key player in the field. SND has been working to make research data accessible since 1981.
In 2009, the current version of SND was established; governed by a consortium of nine universities with the primary mission of ensuring accessibility, preservation, and reuse of research data and relevant research materials. SND has since grown into a strong network of nearly 40 universities and research organisations, which make up the core of the research data infrastructure. Together, this network is driving the transition to open access to research data at both national and local levels. More information on how SND supports researchers with data management throughout the research process can be found on SND’s website, SND.seOpens in a new tab.
Researchdata.se – a national platform for research data
The goal to make data as open and accessible as possible has been the driving force behind SND’s development of a national research data portal. Through Researchdata.se, SND and its partner organisations will support researchers in finding, sharing, and managing data, ensuring that data can be interpreted and reused both in the short and long term. A central part of this work is to meet the FAIR principles for research data: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
The transition to open science is happening at both global and local levels. Scientific journals, public and private funders, university policies, and legislation already require that research data are made accessible. For researchers, this development presents an opportunity to increase the visibility, credibility, and impact of their work while ensuring continued funding for research projects of societal importance.