Why institutional review boards should have a role in the open science movement

Abstract

Open science involves the use of practices across the research life cycle that facilitate the transparency, reproducibility, and availability of scientific products and output. Prominent open science practices include registration of study protocols and preanalysis plans; materials, data, and code sharing; and publication of summary findings in open access outlets (1). To achieve openness as the default approach, initiatives are trying to use a systems approach to engage stakeholders—namely, scientific journals, funding agencies, and professional societies (2, 3). Proponents hope to realign the research enterprise with the values of transparency and reproducibility (4). Institutional review boards are overlooked, yet critical, stakeholders for the promotion of open science initiatives that enhance access to research products. Image credit: David Cutler (artist). Institutional review boards (IRBs) are overlooked, yet critical, stakeholders for proponents to engage in open science initiatives (5). For instance, IRBs can require modifications to and even disapprove data sharing plans based on information in the application, protocol, and informed consent forms investigators submit for IRB review (6). Conversely, IRB workflows can increase if a greater number of submissions require higher levels of IRB review because of data sharing plans that risk disclosure of identifiable private information about living individuals. Practical tutorials on ethical open science primarily focus on educating study investigators about their responsibilities to protect human research subjects. IRBs, in turn, need to be informed about open science practices and the impact of their growth on IRB responsibilities to protect human research subjects. In other words, IRB members and professionals themselves should be part of the movement toward open science. Although IRBs are ethics bodies concerned with moral obligations (7 … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: spgrant{at}iu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1