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Cataloguing and Theorising Open Research Practices in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Problematising and Diversifying 'Open Science'.

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Title: Cataloguing and Theorising Open Research Practices in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Problematising and Diversifying 'Open Science'.
Authors: Adams J; University of Sheffield School of Information, Journalism and Communication, Sheffield, UK., Barnes M; Cambridge University Library, Cambridge, UK.; Cambridge Digital Humanities, Cambridge, UK., Moore S; Cambridge University Library, Cambridge, UK.; Cambridge Digital Humanities, Cambridge, UK., Pinfield S; University of Sheffield School of Information, Journalism and Communication, Sheffield, UK.
Source: F1000Research [F1000Res] 2026 Aug 20; Vol. 15, pp. 515. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 20 (Print Publication: 2026).
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101594320 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2046-1402 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20461402 NLM ISO Abbreviation: F1000Res Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: London : F1000 Research Ltd
MeSH Terms: Social Sciences* , Humanities* , Research* , Art*, Humans ; Science
Abstract: Background: Discourses of 'Open Science' have been criticised for privileging the quantitative and positivist methodologies of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research at the expense of qualitative, interpretive, critical-theoretical, practice-based, and other forms of research more common in the arts, humanities and social sciences (AHSS).
Methods: In this article, which emerged from a work component of the MORPHSS (Materialising Open Research Practices in the Humanities and Social Sciences) project, we document the process, outcomes and practical implications of work to develop a catalogue of open research practices in these disciplines, which proceeded via a wide-ranging literature review followed by targeted desk research and a conceptual mapping exercise.
Results: Key findings include the fact that open research practices in AHSS are diverse, extending beyond the suite of practices emphasised within dominant accounts of Open Science. We identify among these practices a range of forms of openness including those focused on mobilising the involvement and expert knowledge of diverse participants and communities.
Conclusions: Presenting a typology of forms of openness in AHSS that is consistent with the epistemic logics of these disciplines, we conclude that openness in AHSS is highly situated and context-dependent, as well as resisting quantification and binary measurement. Drawing on these conclusions, we offer a series of recommendations for institutions, open research monitoring initiatives, funders, publishers, learned societies and researchers to enhance the inclusivity of their policy and practice around openness.
(Copyright: © 2026 Adams J et al.)
Competing Interests: Competing interests: Non-financial competing interests JA was a contributor to the UKRN Open Research Indicators project mentioned in brief in this article (Jacobs et al., 2026). SP is an Editor of MetaROR (MetaResearch Open Review).
Grant Information: United Kingdom WT_ Wellcome Trust
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Open Science; humanities; metaresearch; open research; social sciences
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260625 Date Completed: 20260912 Latest Revision: 20260912
Update Code: 20260912
PubMed Central ID: PMC13287985
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.178353.2
PMID: 42344430
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Cataloguing and Theorising Open Research Practices in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Problematising and Diversifying 'Open Science'.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Adams+J%22">Adams J</searchLink>; University of Sheffield School of Information, Journalism and Communication, Sheffield, UK.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Barnes+M%22">Barnes M</searchLink>; Cambridge University Library, Cambridge, UK.; Cambridge Digital Humanities, Cambridge, UK.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Moore+S%22">Moore S</searchLink>; Cambridge University Library, Cambridge, UK.; Cambridge Digital Humanities, Cambridge, UK.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Pinfield+S%22">Pinfield S</searchLink>; University of Sheffield School of Information, Journalism and Communication, Sheffield, UK.
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  Data: Background: Discourses of 'Open Science' have been criticised for privileging the quantitative and positivist methodologies of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research at the expense of qualitative, interpretive, critical-theoretical, practice-based, and other forms of research more common in the arts, humanities and social sciences (AHSS).<br />Methods: In this article, which emerged from a work component of the MORPHSS (Materialising Open Research Practices in the Humanities and Social Sciences) project, we document the process, outcomes and practical implications of work to develop a catalogue of open research practices in these disciplines, which proceeded via a wide-ranging literature review followed by targeted desk research and a conceptual mapping exercise.<br />Results: Key findings include the fact that open research practices in AHSS are diverse, extending beyond the suite of practices emphasised within dominant accounts of Open Science. We identify among these practices a range of forms of openness including those focused on mobilising the involvement and expert knowledge of diverse participants and communities.<br />Conclusions: Presenting a typology of forms of openness in AHSS that is consistent with the epistemic logics of these disciplines, we conclude that openness in AHSS is highly situated and context-dependent, as well as resisting quantification and binary measurement. Drawing on these conclusions, we offer a series of recommendations for institutions, open research monitoring initiatives, funders, publishers, learned societies and researchers to enhance the inclusivity of their policy and practice around openness.<br /> (Copyright: © 2026 Adams J et al.)
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  Data: Competing interests: Non-financial competing interests JA was a contributor to the UKRN Open Research Indicators project mentioned in brief in this article (Jacobs et al., 2026). SP is an Editor of MetaROR (MetaResearch Open Review).
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