Development of open science validation framework

Purpose: Over the past decade, open science has emerged as a significant topic within the research community. Given that scientific knowledge has historically been monopolized by a limited number of institutions and that equitable access remains restricted, there is a pressing need for globally accessible, unrestricted science. However, ensuring the validity of such science presents ongoing challenges. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to develop a validation framework for open science through a systematic literature review.
Method: This study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing both grounded theory and systematic review methodologies. The systematic review process was conducted following the guidelines established by Arksey and O'Malley (2010). Relevant literature was retrieved from international databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Additionally, primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of open science. The target population comprised professors and scholars with demonstrated expertise in open science, evidenced by a minimum of five published works in this domain. A total of 12 participants were selected through theoretical saturation. To ensure reliability, interview transcripts were independently coded by two researchers, and inter-coder agreement was assessed.
Findings: The results indicate that open science enhances participation across diverse communities in scientific research, including citizen science and open innovation initiatives. The validation of open science—aimed at promoting transparency, collaboration, and reproducibility—yields more reliable and impactful research outcomes that ultimately serve societal interests. Validation criteria may vary depending on the type and nature of the research, data sources, publications, as well as the objectives and methods of validation.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the validation of open science, which promotes transparency, collaboration, and reproducibility in research and data, contributes to more reliable and impactful outcomes that benefit society at large. The proposed open science validation framework serves as a structured approach for evaluating and enhancing the quality, credibility, and transparency of research. This framework may be defined and implemented based on established criteria, indicators, requirements, standards, methods, and processes.