Research Transparency

Research transparency covers how we ensure our research is responsible, reproducible, open and evidence-based.

UCL is committed to transparency and rigour in research across all disciplines, and to continue to improve the ways in which we conduct research. This is part of our broader commitment to responsible and open research, as set out in UCL’s Research Strategy and webpages on research integrity.

Call for expressions of interest: UCL Local Network Co-Lead, UK Reproducibility network

As one of the founding member institutions of the UK Reproducibility Network, UCL has committed to working together to promote the quality and reproducibility of research. We are looking for an early-career researcher at UCL to take on the role of Local Network Co-Lead, alongside Jessie Baldwin. The role will involve building an informal group of multidisciplinary researchers interested in issues of openness, transparency and reproducibility in research and research improvement, and facilitating communication on these topics within UCL and with the wider UKRN community.

To submit an expression of interest, review the role description and send no more than 200-300 words to Grace Gottlieb g.gottlieb@ucl.ac.uk by Monday 5 December, setting out why you are interested to take on this role, and what you would bring to the role.

Read the Local Network Co-Lead role description

Online training course: Transparency and reproducibility in research

UCL’s new online training course on transparency and reproducibility in research has launched and we invite you to sign up!

Please note: You will need to be logged in to UCLeXtend with your UCL credentials before clicking on the course link

Log in to UCLeXtend: https://extend.ucl.ac.uk
Click on course link, you will need to click ‘purchase’, but the course is free: https://extendstore.ucl.ac.uk/product?catalog=UCLX_TRANS_RES

What’s the course about?

This self-paced course covers what transparency and reproducibility in research are, why they are important, what steps you can take to make your research transparent and reproducible, and the limitations on doing so. It consists of a series of videos – mostly animated videos and some video talks from experts – with short exercises for enhancing your learning and an assignment. In total, it will take 3-5 hours to complete. The course is aimed at early-career researchers but is relevant to researchers at all stages.

Why should I take the course?

Making your research transparent will improve its credibility and maximise its potential for impact. As funders, publishers and institutions increasingly expect research to be practised openly – from study preregistration to open data – this course will arm you with the knowledge you need to make your research transparent and (where appropriate) reproducible, in line with the expectations for researchers set out in UCL’s Statement on Transparency in Research

Will I be rewarded for doing the course?

If you complete the course, you will receive a digital badge microcredential, which you can use on your CV, profile or email signature. The badge not only gives you recognition for completing the course, it can help to demonstrate your commitment to transparency and rigour in your research. If you are a student, you can also add the training to the UCL Research Log to receive points.

We would also welcome the opportunity to interview you to discuss your experience of the training course and views on transparency, in return for a £20 voucher for your time. For further information, contact Grace Gottlieb, Head of Research Policy or Dr Banaz Jalil, Research Fellow, Office of the Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement). With thanks to Dr Banaz Jalil for her work on the transparency training course launch and evaluation.

UCL Statement on Transparency in Research

UCL has developed a Statement on Transparency in Research, which sets out the expectations we have for researchers relating to transparency and reproducibility at UCL.

We recognise that behaviours in support of transparency vary considerably across disciplines and methodologies, and expect researchers to adopt those actions most appropriate to their field. This will usually include making research open and, in relevant contexts, taking actions to support reproducibility.

We are conscious that data protection requirements, in particular under the General Data Protection Regulation, must be considered alongside efforts to promote open data. We will seek to ensure that UCL policies on these respective topics are coordinated and in alignment.

Download the Statement on Transparency in Research (pdf)

Contact us

Send any questions or comments to ovpr@ucl.ac.uk.

Sign up to the UCL research transparency mailing list for events and updates related to transparency and reproducibility (unsubscribe at any time).

Why are we addressing ‘transparency’ as a whole, rather than ‘reproducibility’ on its own?

While reproducibility is crucial in certain research contexts, including quantitative and experimental sciences, it is less relevant to certain other disciplines and methodologies. To ensure our work is inclusive and sensitive to disciplinary variations, we are promoting reproducibility alongside open research and other relevant initiatives, in the context of our broader commitment to transparency in all of our research.

Training

We are currently developing training opportunities at UCL to support transparency; these will be listed here in due course. They will also be highlighted in the UCL research transparency mailing list.

Reproducibility