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Opinion: The Promise and Plight of Open Data
Open science serves to make the research process more transparent. But we are still waiting to realize the fruits of open-data policies at scientific journals.
Opinion: The Promise and Plight of Open Data
Opinion: The Promise and Plight of Open Data

Open science serves to make the research process more transparent. But we are still waiting to realize the fruits of open-data policies at scientific journals.

Open science serves to make the research process more transparent. But we are still waiting to realize the fruits of open-data policies at scientific journals.

publishing

crossword puzzle
Ten Minute Sabbatical
Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon | Dec 1, 2022 | 2 min read
Take a break from the bench to puzzle and peruse
A lobed leaf next to a rounded leaf, both from the same Boquila trifoliolata vine
Can Plants See? In the Wake of a Controversial Study, the Answer’s Still Unclear
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Nov 30, 2022 | 10+ min read
A tiny pilot study found that so-called chameleon vines mimicked plastic leaves, but experts say poor study design and conflicts of interest undermine the report.
The Community-Wide Effort to Standardize QA/QC for Metabolomics and Lipidomics
The Scientist | 1 min read
Perspectives on the basics and future of QA/QC
multiple sets of hands putting gears together on tabletop
Opinion: In Publishing, Don’t Make the Perfect the Enemy of the Good
Hilal A. Lashuel | Nov 10, 2022 | 5 min read
All members of the scientific community must commit to taking the risks needed to change how research is shared and evaluated.
magnifying glass in front of a stack of paper
Opinion: Science Needs Better Fraud Detection—And More Whistleblowers
Aman Majmudar, Undark | Oct 26, 2022 | 5 min read
An influential paper on amyloid protein and Alzheimer’s disease potentially fabricated data. Why did it take 16 years to flag?
illustration of a laptop with small people filling out an assessment
Q&A: Why eLife Is Doing Away with Rejections
Jef Akst | Oct 21, 2022 | 4 min read
The journal’s executive director speaks with The Scientist about what it hopes to accomplish with its unusual new publishing model.
close up programmer student man hand typing on keyboard at computer desktop to input code language into software for study bug and defect of system in classroom , development of technology concept
How to Fix Science's Code Problem
Katarina Zimmer | Sep 12, 2022 | 10 min read
Despite increasingly strict journal policies requiring the release of computational code files along with research papers, many scientists remain reluctant to share—underscoring the need for better solutions.
A gavel sits on top of a stack of clipboards and papers on an open laptop with the screen showing graphs
Munich Court Ruling Sides with Elsevier, ACS over ResearchGate
Jef Akst | Mar 7, 2022 | 2 min read
The academic networking service ResearchGate was infringing on copyrights held by scientific publishers when it hosted manuscripts from their journals, the European court said, but the website will not have to pay damages.
hundred dollar bills with stethoscope on top
Most Medical Papers Didn’t Disclose Industry Payments: Preprint
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Jan 24, 2022 | 2 min read
Authors of papers published in JAMA and NEJM received millions in undisclosed payments in 2017, an analysis finds.
Logo and tagline for TS Digest
Introducing TS Digest
Bob Grant | Dec 6, 2021 | 2 min read
The Scientist is embarking on a new publishing journey, and you, dear reader, are invited to join.
Illustration depicting peers reviewing a paper
Opinion: The Problem with Preprints
Michael Mullins | Nov 1, 2021 | 4 min read
Preprints can be valuable additions to the scientific literature. But we must start seeing them as perishable commodities rather than akin to peer-reviewed, published studies.
Anonymous person covering face with question mark
Revealing Peer Reviewer Identities Could Introduce Bias: Study
Chloe Tenn | Oct 27, 2021 | 2 min read
An analysis finds that reviewers are more likely to choose to be de-anonymized when their reviews are positive, suggesting instituting a fully open process might discourage negative feedback.
A conceptual illustration of computers, hands on mice, a virus
A Surge in Pandemic Research Shines a Spotlight on Preprints
Diana Kwon | Sep 10, 2021 | 5 min read
Many scientists have turned to preprints to rapidly disseminate their research on COVID-19, but some disagree with this approach.
Illustration of a person confused looking at a computer
When Researchers Sound the Alarm on Problematic Papers
Shawna Williams | Sep 1, 2021 | 10+ min read
Finding and reporting an irregularity in a published study can lead people down an unexpected path.
black and white image of an open combination lock with a globe in the middle
As Plan S Takes Effect, Some Anticipate Inequitable Outcomes
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Aug 3, 2021 | 7 min read
The plan’s signatories seek to make the results of their funded research available to all, but some scientists say the transition to open access has led to climbing publication fees and could exacerbate global disparities.
Illustration of cartoon headshots of people of diverse ethnicities
Survey Finds Lack of Diversity Among Journal Editors
Jef Akst | Jun 14, 2021 | 4 min read
Collecting data on the various races, sexual orientations, and gender identities of editors at 25 scientific and medical journals, researchers document the underrepresentation of minority groups.
Microscope image of Chlamydomonas
Researcher Sanctioned by PNAS for Not Sharing Alga
Catherine Offord | Jun 9, 2021 | 1 min read
Zhangfeng Hu will be unable to submit manuscripts for three years after having violated the journal’s policy about making study materials available to other scientists.
Howard Bauchner, the editor-in-chief of the family of JAMA journals, holds a laser pointer while speaking
Howard Bauchner Leaves JAMA Following Podcast Fallout
Amanda Heidt | Jun 2, 2021 | 3 min read
The editor-in-chief will step down this month following the release of a podcast in February that suggested systemic racism does not exist in medicine.
a blue pen checks off boxes in a list
MDAR Framework Aims to Standardize Reporting in Life Sciences
Shawna Williams | May 7, 2021 | 8 min read
Malcolm Macleod, who helped develop these best practices, tells The Scientist how the new guidelines for manuscript publishing seek to support a push for transparent and thorough sharing of methods and data.
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