Abstract
BackgroundThere is an emergent and intensive dialogue in the United States with regard to the accessibility, reproducibility, and rigor of health research. This discussion is also closely aligned with the need to identify sustainable ways to expand the national research enterprise and to generate actionable results that can be applied to improve the nation’s health. The principles and practices of Open Science offer a promising path to address both goals by facilitating (1) increased transparency of data and methods, which promotes research reproducibility and rigor; and (2) cumulative efficiencies wherein research tools and the output of research are combined to accelerate the delivery of new knowledge in proximal domains, thereby resulting in greater productivity and a reduction in redundant research investments.ObjectivesAcademyHealth’s Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum implemented a proof-of-concept open science platform for health research called the Collaborative Informatics Environment for Learning on Health Outcomes (CIELO).MethodsThe EDM Forum conducted a user-centered design process to elucidate important and high-level requirements for creating and sustaining an open science paradigm.ResultsBy implementing CIELO and engaging a variety of potential users in its public beta testing, the EDM Forum has been able to elucidate a broad range of stakeholder needs and requirements related to the use of an open science platform focused on health research in a variety of “real world” settings.ConclusionsOur initial design and development experience over the course of the CIELO project has provided the basis for a vigorous dialogue between stakeholder community members regarding the capabilities that will add the greatest value to an open science platform for the health research community. A number of important questions around user incentives, sustainability, and scalability will require further community dialogue and agreement.
Highlights
There is an emergent and intensive national dialogue regarding the accessibility, reproducibility, and rigor of health research
Contradictory and sometimes conflicting positions on open science—and the way the open science paradigm might best be operationalized—demonstrate the need for greater community engagement to test the theory that open science in the health sciences can improve the rigor and efficiency of research. This challenge is exemplified by the recent controversy regarding research “parasites,” [9] and the vigorous debate that ensued as a result. In response to these important and timely issues, in this viewpoint, we describe a set of lessons learned and future directions associated with an open science initiative conducted by AcademyHealth’s Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum, called the Collaborative Informatics Environment for Learning on Health Outcomes (CIELO) [10], targeting the broad health research community
Our initial design and development experience over the course of the CIELO project has provided the basis for a vigorous dialogue between stakeholder community members regarding the capabilities that will add the greatest value to an open science platform for the health research community
Summary
There is an emergent and intensive national dialogue regarding the accessibility, reproducibility, and rigor of health research. Contradictory and sometimes conflicting positions on open science—and the way the open science paradigm might best be operationalized—demonstrate the need for greater community engagement to test the theory that open science in the health sciences can improve the rigor and efficiency of research This challenge is exemplified by the recent controversy regarding research “parasites,” [9] and the vigorous debate that ensued as a result. In response to these important and timely issues, in this viewpoint, we describe a set of lessons learned and future directions associated with an open science initiative conducted by AcademyHealth’s Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum, called the Collaborative Informatics Environment for Learning on Health Outcomes (CIELO) [10], targeting the broad health research community. A number of important questions around user incentives, sustainability, and scalability will require further community dialogue and agreement
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