The Tao of open science for ecology

Abstract

Abstract. The field of ecology is poised to take advantage of emerging technologies that facilitate the gathering, analyzing, and sharing of data, methods, and results. The concept of transparency at all stages of the research process, coupled with free and open access to data, code, and papers, constitutes ''open science.'' Despite the many benefits of an open approach to science, a number of barriers to entry exist that may prevent researchers from embracing openness in their own work. Here we describe several key shifts in mindset that underpin the transition to more open science. These shifts in mindset include thinking about data stewardship rather than data ownership, embracing transparency throughout the data life-cycle and project duration, and accepting critique in public. Though foreign and perhaps frightening at first, these changes in thinking stand to benefit the field of ecology by fostering collegiality and broadening access to data and findings. We present an overview of tools and best practices that can enable these shifts in mindset at each stage of the research process, including tools to support data management planning and reproducible analyses, strategies for soliciting constructive feedback throughout the research process, and methods of broadening access to final research products.

Our path to better science in less time using open data science tools

“…We programmatically coded models and metic ulously documented their development, (resulting in the 130 page supplemental materials) 36 , and upon publication we also made the model inputs (that is, prepared data and metadata) freely available to download. This level of documentation and transparency is beyond the norm for environmental science 16,40 .…”

“…We would also not be able to efficiently share and communicate our work while it is ongoing rather than only post publication, which is particularly important for bridging science and policy. As environmental scientists who are still learning, we hope sharing our experiences will empower other scientists to upgrade their own approaches, helping further shift the scientific culture to value transparency and openness as a benefit to all instead of as a vulnerability 16,40,48 .…”

Connecting people and ideas from around the world: global innovation platforms for next‐generation ecology and beyond

“…There are many examples of repositories that archive and make research data available; a comprehensive list is available at the online Registry of Research Data Repositories (http://www.re3data.org/). Building beyond research coordination and data accessibility, the ''open science'' movement advocates for transparency and sharing throughout the research process (Hampton et al 2014). Numerous groups develop software tools and provide resources to the broader community with the aim of end-to-end reproducibility (Mascarelli 2014).…”

The project EcoNAOS: vision and practice towards an open approach in the Northern Adriatic Sea ecological observatory

“…However, the cultural shift from "data ownership to data stewardship" is not yet widely accomplished and data sharing standards, both from technical and ethical point of view, still have to be established. An overview on Open Science practices in ecology was recently given by Hampton et al (2015). In the LTER context, enabling open sharing of in-situ and derived long-term ecological data is important in order to advance research and education.…”