Introduction to the course
The course “Open Science: Principles and Overview” aims to introduce PhD students to the essential values, policies, and ethical considerations underpinning Open Science. Through a combination of readings and exercises, participants will gain practical knowledge of key Open Science activities, such as open-access publishing, Open Data, and Open Educational Resources. The course is structured into self-learning six lessons enabling students to apply what they have learned in a practical context. This foundational course prepares students to engage with Open Science practices and policies in their academic work, equipping them with tools to enhance research transparency, collaboration, and accessibility.
The course materials were developed as part of the Erasmus+ CBHE projects, Open Asia and OSCAR 2.0.
The content of this course is based on the Open Science principles recommended by UNESCO. For more information, click HERE.
This course has been developed as an exemplary online resource for the OpenAsia and OSCAR 2.0 Erasmus+ CBHE projects. All readings, PowerPoint presentations, and examples of individual and group exercises are available as Open Educational Resources (OER) in the Materials tab.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the core principles of Open Science.
- Analyze the evolution of Open Science.
- Evaluate global and national Open Science policies.
- Apply Open Science practices to research projects.
- Examine ethical and legal challenges in Open Science.
- Identify benefits of Open Science for early-career researchers.
- Create effective Open Science publishing strategies.
- Collaborate on Open Science case studies.
- Design an Open Science roadmap for local contexts.
- Reflect on the societal impact of Open Science.
Instructions on How to Study
To effectively study the lesson, begin by checking the overview in the PowerPoint slides, which will give you a clear understanding of the main topics and structure of the lesson. Next, thoroughly study the lesson reading to grasp the key concepts in detail, ensuring you absorb the foundational information. After that, try the interactive exercise to actively apply what you’ve learned and reinforce your understanding. To go beyond the basics, deepen your knowledge by exploring the materials for curious minds, which provide additional insights and advanced content. Finally, complete the quiz to test your comprehension and solidify your grasp of the lesson’s key points. Remember, to earn the Open Badge and the certificate, all lessons in the course must be completed.
Materials for Courious Minds
FOSTER Open Science Training Handbook
Open Science by Design Realizing a Vision for 2st Century Research
“What is Open Science?” – This video introduces the basic concepts of Open Science, exploring transparency, collaboration, and accessibility. Watch here
The Royal Society’s “What is ‘Open Science’?” – This video by The Royal Society explains Open Science’s goals and its impact on research dissemination and re-use. Watch here
“What is Open Science?” (UNESCO) – Produced by UNESCO, this video discusses how Open Science can address modern challenges by promoting inclusivity and accessibility in scientific knowledge. Watch here
“Open for you! An Introduction Series to Open Science” – This series covers the foundational ideas behind Open Science, aiming to introduce researchers to its practices and benefits. Watch here
Below are all the documents (including readings and presentations) that make up the course’s teaching and learning materials, available for download and use as Open Educational Resources (OER):
