Faculty Adoption of Open Science and Their Practices Towards Data Sharing in Tanzanian Health Universities

Abstract

Open science (OS) is widely recognized as a new method of knowledge sharing using digital technologies. Despite the potential benefits OS offers, there is a low level of inspiration toward adopting it among researchers in higher learning institutions. The purpose of this study was to assess the faculty adoption of OS and their practices toward data sharing at Health Sciences University in Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional design, whereby a total of 252 faculties were systematically sampled from two purposefully selected health universities. Using a survey, the study employed SPSS to generate descriptive statistics and a coding strategy using ATLAS.ti software to analyze qualitative resultant data. Moreover, regression analysis determined the predicting factors that hindered faculty adoption of OS and data-sharing practices. The findings demonstrate that faculty had poor data-sharing practices triggered by a lack of institutional data-sharing policies, fear of data misinterpretation, and parasitic use of clinical research datasets with other researchers. However, the presence of a data repository, journal guidelines, and intellectual property rights are instrumental variables that allow faculty to practice OS and data sharing. Therefore, university libraries should take affirmative action to create awareness of the importance of practicing OS and data sharing among faculty and researchers. Such undertakings will allow other researchers to carry out comprehensive follow-up research to meet the increasing demand for innovative health research output in Tanzania.