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The lack of reproducibility of scientific studies poses a threat to the credibility of scientific knowledge. The Center for Reproducible Science (CRS) of the University of Zurich was established in 2018. Its mission is to promote the reproducibility of empirical research by propagating good research practice (GRP). The experts of the CRS offer UZH researchers statistical advice and support in planning replication studies and conduct various courses and events on the topic.

On 5 February 2019, the CRS hosted the Reproducibility Day. Experts from research and the open science scene critically discussed existing research practice and its impact on the traceability of research results.

Two young journals dedicated exclusively to replication studies were presented: The “International Journal for Re-Views in Empirical Economics” (IREE) for empirical economics and “Reproducibility Matters” for natural sciences. Scandals about non-reproducible or even manipulated studies also put the major publishers under pressure to check publications for reproducibility. Nature, for example, has introduced the requirement for authors to complete a checklist when entering their article. Nathalie Le Bot, Senior Editor at Nature, explained that this would make it easier to determine whether studies were sufficiently randomised and blinded or whether data were selected according to the expected study results. The Data Services and Open Access team of the Main Library also had the opportunity to present its solutions for more transparent research. The Main Library has been supporting the implementation of the UZH’s Open Access guidelines for more than 10 years with the ZORA repository or support services for publication in Gold OA journals. As part of the implementation of the national Open Access strategy with the goal of achieving 100% OA on publicly funded research publications by 2024, these services will become even more important for UZH researchers in the future. In addition, there are the new requirements with regard to the management of research data and the fulfilment of the FAIR principles as demanded by the SNSF. Here, too, researchers can now expect assistance from the Main Library. The Data Service Center’s support ranges from individual advice on the handling of research data in individual projects, to courses and workshops, to the development of suitable technical infrastructures.

You find more information about the Data Services and Open Access department of the Main Library on our website.