During the COVID-19 pandemic, preprint servers became a vital mechanism for the rapid sharing and review of vital research. However, discussing the findings of a recent report, Naomi Penfold finds much of the infrastructure supporting non-commercial preprint publications is precariously governed and at risk of being acquired by commercial publishers. … The post Lack of sustainability plans for preprint services risks their potential to improve science [Originally published in the LSE Impact blog in March/2023] first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

Research must be well planned, carried out correctly and reported in a clear and transparent way, as the reliability of the results depends on the rigor of the experimental design. However, in the published reports, there seems to be a lack of commitment by those responsible for assessing the quality of the research. Experts pointed out that the current incentive structures in research institutions do not sufficiently encourage researchers to invest in solidity and transparency, instead encouraging them to optimize their aptitude in the fight for publications and grants. Over the past decade, large-scale replication studies have shown that reproducibility is far from favorable in many scientific fields, and questionable research practices are becoming more prevalent. Clearly something is not working in the scientific enterprise. … The post Shuffle the cards and deal again first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

SciELO Brazil is now live and connected to OA Switchboard to support widespread visibility and access to SciELO journals. … The post SciELO joins OA Switchboard with over 300 open access journals in the SciELO Brazil collection first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

There is often an assumption in evidence based policy, that evidence means the findings of quantitative studies or randomised control trials. However, in practice evidence is often understood differently. Drawing on a study of Welsh policy actors, Eleanor MacKillop and James Downe highlight four different approaches to evidence in policymaking and suggest how researchers and policy organisations might use these findings to engage differently with policy. … The post Researchers engaging with policy should take into account policymakers’ varied perceptions of evidence [Originally published in the LSE Impact blog in January/2023] first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

Funders and other research organisations are embracing reviewed preprints as an alternative way to assess researchers, and call on others to do the same. … The post Funders support use of reviewed preprints in research assessment [Originally published by eLife in December/2022] first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

The importance of preprints in scholarly communication has been increasing, as well as their credibility and use in every discipline. However, the preprint ecosystem is not yet financially sustainable, and most preprints are not shared using open infrastructure. A report by the Invest in Open Infrastructure initiative examines the current preprint landscape in detail and makes important recommendations that aim at making a system for open infrastructure services for preprints viable, robust, and reliable. … The post Why is it important to support open infrastructure for preprints? first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

eLife will emphasise the public peer review of preprints, restoring author autonomy and promoting the assessment of scientists based on what, not where, they publish. … The post eLife ends accept/reject decisions following peer review [Originally published by eLife in October/2022] first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

The SciELO Program will celebrate its 25th anniversary of regular operation in the week of 25-29 of September 2023, as an open science research communication infrastructure program. … The post SciELO 25 Years: Open Science with IDEIA – Impact, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

Recent research published in Scientometrics raises questions about unforeseen consequences of the spread of Open Access scientific publishing that have to do with the growth of total expenditures and who would be the economic beneficiaries of this paradigm shift. … The post Open Access and Closed Research. Who benefits from the APC? first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.

Francisco Alberto de Moura Duarte, retired professor from the University of São Paulo Medical School and President of ABEC Brasil for the first two mandates (1985-1987, 1988-1990), passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, in Ribeirão Preto, SP. Professor Moura Duarte was an eminent scientist in the field of molecular genetics, with participation in institutions in the country and abroad. Available in Portuguese only. … The post Death Notice: Francisco Alberto de Moura Duarte, first President of ABEC Brasil first appeared on SciELO in Perspective.