Chantal Ripp, Madelaine Hare, Kelly Cobey, Stefanie Haustein

An Analysis of Open Science Action Plans by Canadian Federal Science Departments and Agencies

Introduction

An analysis of open science action plans by canadian federal science departments and agencies. Investigate Canadian federal open science action plans, analyzing content, implementation, challenges, and opportunities. Discover how open science is operationalized, addressing access to research & FAIR data.

Abstract

Following the release of the Roadmap for Open Science in 2020, Canadian federal departments and agencies that produce or fund scientific research were tasked with developing open science action plans. This study investigates the content and planned implementation of eleven publicly available action plans as of October 2024 using cross-sectional mapping and thematic analysis. The results are examined alongside the Roadmap’s recommendations that directly implicate departments and agencies, including consultations with federal scientists, open access to publication, and enabling FAIR data principles. This study provides insights into how open science activities are understood and operationalized in Canada at the federal level and how the government intends to address obstacles impeding access to federal research. A diversity of approaches to implementing open science practices was observed, along with persistent challenges, including limited mandates for oversight, uneven adoption among smaller departments, and a lack of integration between open science goals and existing research assessment systems. Opportunities lie in strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing horizontal accountability mechanisms, and aligning incentives with open science practices.

Review

This timely study provides a critical analysis of open science action plans developed by Canadian federal science departments and agencies following the 2020 Roadmap for Open Science. Employing a robust methodology of cross-sectional mapping and thematic analysis across eleven publicly available plans, the research effectively investigates the content and planned implementation strategies. By examining these plans against the Roadmap’s direct recommendations, including open access to publications, FAIR data principles, and consultations with federal scientists, the authors offer valuable insights into how open science is currently understood and operationalized within the Canadian federal context, and how the government intends to address obstacles to research accessibility. The study uncovers a notable diversity of approaches to implementing open science practices among the federal entities, underscoring varying interpretations and capacities. Crucially, it highlights several persistent challenges that could impede progress. These include the observed limitations in mandates for oversight, an uneven adoption rate particularly among smaller departments, and a significant lack of integration between open science goals and existing research assessment systems. These findings are vital for understanding the practical hurdles faced in transitioning to a more open research ecosystem and reveal specific areas where current strategies may be insufficient or misaligned. Ultimately, this analysis not only identifies weaknesses but also illuminates clear opportunities for strengthening Canada's open science trajectory. The authors adeptly point towards the need for enhanced institutional coordination, the development of more effective horizontal accountability mechanisms, and a critical alignment of incentives with open science practices. This paper is a significant contribution to the literature on open science policy implementation, offering actionable insights for policymakers and departmental leadership in Canada, and providing a useful comparative lens for other nations grappling with similar systemic changes in their research landscapes.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.