Open science represents a new approach to the scientific process, which has enabled more extensive changes in the field of scientific research work. The prerequisite for open science represents the changes in publishing practice that have taken place over the past twenty-five years, for example the generalisation of publishing in the digital environment as a result of the development of IT technology and the World Wide Web.

It is fundamentally driven by political decision that ‘the citizen/taxpayer pays only once’: the taxpayer has the right to receive the results of scientific research work financed with public funds, without paying subscriptions, fees, etc.

Open science is based on the immediate and general availability of scientific research works, which are the result of public funding, on the World Wide Web, without subscription restrictions. It makes it easier for users to get involved in science, conduct research and increases the possibility of scientific advancement.

The key challenges and issues of open science not only affect changes in the field of scientific communication, but also affect other areas, such as fair peer review processes and trustworthy methods of evaluating research work.

Basic Principles of Open Science:

• immediate and general accessibility of scientific research works that are the result of public funding (for example scientific publications or research data) on World Wide Web without subscription limits;
• sharing and joint use of software, hardware and other equipment used by researchers in their work;
• transparency of scientific methods, protocols and experiments;
• reuse of research data;
• encouraging fair and transparent methods of evaluation of research work;
• encouragement and promotion of connecting science with the public;
• encouraging open science practices in other areas, such as education and culture;
• encouraging changes in the research work culture in the direction of cooperation between researchers and limiting competition in this field;
• encouraging cooperation between institutions, namely by sharing knowledge.

More information about Open Science:

• Open Access (Peter Suber)
• Opening Science: The Evolving Guide on How the Internet is Changing Research, Collaboration and Scolarly Publishing (Sönke Bartling in Sascha Friesike)
• Open Science Training Handbook

Subpage Open Science at UP UK is funded by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation within the framework of the Action Plan for the Open Science (Objective 6.2 ReZrIS30).