Researchers are turning to open scientific programs to protect scientific integrity in the United States.
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IIn the past few months, scientists from around the world who are counting on sets of American data accessible to the public and interactive tools for their research has encountered the disturbing message: Oops! This page cannot be found. The inaccessibility of data sets accompanies the budget cuts proposed to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. In the meantimeInitiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion are dismantled, Vital data setsin particular information related to the health of centers for disease control and prevention, is modified or deleted, and the collection of crucial health data depreciated.
In simple terms, the American research company is moving towards irrevocable damage. Politicals undergoing Scientific infrastructure and talent represent a serious threat to American leadership in the world sciences, innovation and, above all, People’s confidence in scientific research. These actions will also encourage researchers to seek opportunities abroad, which will further decrease the country’s position in the global scientific community. Indeed, the European Commission recently launched the “ Choose the Europe for Science ‘program’ ‘ For 2025-2027, with more than $ 500 million in funding to attract scientists, mainly from the United States, which are affected by federal financing cuts.
At this critical moment for the American sciences, the only viable defenses against these attacks against science are transparency and rigorous responsibility. The global scientific community has evolved towards a more inclusive, democratic and open approach. European initiatives such as Plan Revolutionized research by demanding free access to studies funded by the public, by promoting greater equity and greater visibility for scientific work. Open search Europe is expanding, providing a platform across the continent for freely accessible research. Japanese 10 billion ¥ initiative It also aims to make research funded publicly available for free. India One Nation One Subscription Agreement Provides this world change by giving around 18 million researchers and students for free access to around 13,000 journals. In addition, In depthThe large language model of China, allows open sharing and reuse of its algorithms unlike Chatgpt based in the United States, democratizing scientific innovation. On the other hand, the democratization of scientific research in the United States, after 2022 Memo of Nelsonfaces an uncertain future.
The community of open sciences has a unique and vital role to play in the fight against these efforts. Open science promotes Transparency, integrity, rigor, accessibility, equity and responsibility – affirming that all knowledge, such as research results, data sets, codes and all metadata must be freely accessible. This inclusive and transparent approach is the strongest or perhaps the only antidote to anti-scientific ideologies and the confidence of the public in scientific research.
Open science extends beyond access to published research and data – it is a question of promoting open knowledge institutions, such as universities and research organizations, which actively engage society in the process of creation and dissemination of knowledge. In addition, open science can advance Innovation and collaboration In various sectors – academy, industry / companies, government and non -profit organizations and media, in particular, in the context of anti -scientific political regimes, thus reshaping the nature of knowledge production.1
As scientists and members of the Open Sciences Community, we must stand together in the safeguarding of scientific integrity and the promotion of accessible and transparent research. More than ever, we must prioritize the publication of our research on pre -printed servers, who do not restrict knowledge behind a paid wall. Researchers must ensure that sharing research results that all data, detailed protocols and codes are shared in accordance with Fair principles and are made as soon as possible.2 We must also review the research of our peers openly by publicly commenting on the pre -printed and published articles, incorporating comments and therefore engaging in a constructive discourse.
To improve confidence in research, institutions and magazines can support the publication and revision of preparations, ensuring that knowledge remains transparent, available for free and in the hands of researchers. This could be incorporated into the departmental or laboratory journals clubs. Institutions could recognize preparations and preparations for public evaluation in hiring, financing and permanence decisions, actively rewarding transparency and behaviors that establish confidence in research. Researchers and journals must hold on both science and themselves responsible by issuing appropriate correctional services in published research.
Although science is a political business, it is our responsibility to ensure that knowledge remains independent of political agendas – only we, the scientists, have the power to maintain this principle.
Notice of non-responsibility: Dr. Jonny Coates is a researcher at the Institute for Research and Education Open distributed worldwide (Idgore). Dr. Mayank Chugh is a guest assistant professor at the College of William & Mary. The two share their individual opinions.