University of Kent Statement on Open Research
Integrity and accessibility are principal characteristics of a healthy research environment. We ensure that our research demonstrates these qualities by adopting policies that promote an Open Research culture. We use technologies and scholarly practices to widen access to research, increase transparency in the research process, and improve reproducibility of results.
As a community of researchers, we are committed to discovering real-world solutions within our defined core research areas. Open Research enables us to be recognised as a leader with global impact in these areas. We focus on world-class research that meaningfully enhances student experience. In our student-centric culture, open practices allow research to feed directly into our teaching, empowering our students to contribute.
What is Open Research
Open Research means making your practice visible and accessible throughout the research lifecycle. Proposal, grant, methodology, data, and publications are made freely accessible online as early as possible. The quality of your research is confirmed through transparent processes and reproducibility, achieved by early sharing and inviting informal peer review and collaboration.
Open Research demonstrates how we infuse integrity, reliability and honesty into everything we do. Research conducted on open principles is more collaborative and reproducible. It is accessible to a greater number of people, which maximises its reach and public benefit. It strengthens civic engagement by enabling participants, audiences and stakeholders to be informed and involved.
'As open as you can, as early as you can'
We encourage our researchers to make their work as open as possible, as early as possible. We recognise and respect that Open Research looks different in different disciplines. We support Open Research across all our Divisions, ensuring that all our scholarship is seen and valued.
We embed Open Research in our processes and systems and identify positive actions that researchers can take to make their research more open. This ensures Open Research is a concrete and measurable reality for our scholars.
'As open as possible, as restricted as necessary'
We recognise that there are reasons why some research cannot be made openly accessible. We deliver Open Research within the context of Trusted Research. We ensure our research practices demonstrate trustworthiness and integrity and we protect the interests of our researchers and our partners. We have systems and processes to ensure that research relating to national security, commercial opportunities, or involving personal and sensitive data is secure.
Our guidance and support help our researchers to ask, ‘How can I make my research more open?’ With openness as the default, our researchers are more conscious of risks to their research. We offer guidance about using trusted digital platforms and services, generating and nurturing research skills for life.
Why Open research matters
Open Research aims to
- improve the quality and reliability of research
- support a culture of transparency, openness, and honesty towards other researchers and the public
- maximize public benefit and avoid resource waste
Open research is research done well. It encompasses the European Code of Conduct of Research Integrity whose principles are:
- Reliability in ensuring the quality of research, reflected in the design, the methodology, the analysis, and the use of resources
- Honesty in developing, undertaking, reviewing, reporting, and communicating research in a transparent, fair, full, and unbiased way.
- Respect for colleagues, research participants, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the environment.
- Accountability for the research from idea to publication, for its management and organisation, for training, supervision, and mentoring, and for its wider impacts.
Most funders require that you make copies of your publications available on an open access basis. However, you can benefit from openly sharing your work long before you reach the stage of submitting articles and books for publication.
Open Research Resources
Stages of the research process and openness
This diagram illustrates the stages of the research process where openness is possible.
Diagram adapted from Hampton S., Anderson S., Bagby, D. et al. (2015) ‘The Tao of open science for ecology’ Ecosphere (Vol 6, Issue 7) https://doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00402.1
Click the button below to email the Open Research team for advice about Open Research.