Survey of Open Science Practices in Behavior Analysis

Open science practices refer to research activities that increase the accessibility and transparency of research. Accessibility can be enhanced through open access practices that ensure the general public can access articles and data (e.g., post preprints and share data in repositories). Transparency can be enhanced by sharing data, analyses, and documenting procedures prior to their implementation (i.e., preregistration, registered reports). Through greater accessibility and transparency, open science practices intend to support dissemination and collaboration, which may lead to increased scientific literacy. As such, open science practices may benefit researchers and the scientific community. The current use of open science practices within applied behavior analysis is unclear. This study surveyed behavior analytic researchers to understand their opinions and perceptions of open science practices. Overall, respondents reported favorable opinions for open science practices but reported limited current use. The discussion provides considerations and resources for the next steps to advance an open science approach within behavior analysis.