Open research is the practice of making the full spectrum of research outputs - from datasets and code to publications - freely accessible and reusable, thus enabling reproducibility. Open research broadens the reach and utility of one’s work, removing barriers, promoting collaboration across disciplines, and accelerating scientific discovery. By embracing open and reproducible research practices, environmental scientists allow for more inclusive and impactful engagement with their findings, which are crucial for tackling complex global issues. This fusion of openness and reproducibility enhances the robustness of one’s findings, enriches scientific discourse, and fosters innovation, allowing for transparent and rapid advancement upon which stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers can rely. As such, researchers are increasingly encouraged, or even mandated, to follow open research practices, which facilitate the highest degree of sharing and application.
This skills workshop is crafted to equip SEAS students with the essential tools and practices to meet these emerging standards in research. Participants will:
- Acquire an in-depth understanding of the principles of computational reproducibility.
- Learn practical techniques for ensuring their work is reproducible, including strategies for effective data management and code sharing.
- Explore the importance of thorough documentation and the use of project management tools that streamline the research process.
By the end of the workshop, attendees will be well-prepared to integrate reproducible practices into their research workflows, thereby enhancing trust in their scholarly contributions and equipping them to lead with confidence in an increasingly open and collaborative scientific landscape.
